People with dwarfism call for more local opportunities
New research released today (Thursday 12 May) highlights a clear need for sports providers to offer more local sport and recreational activity opportunities, which are accessible for people with dwarfism and restricted growth.
Dwarf Sports Association UK (DSAuk) has undertaken a survey into participation of people with dwarfism and restricted growth in sport and physical activity. The findings published in a new report by Dwarf Sports Association UK, aim to support providers and sports bodies to plan and deliver their activities better, so they meet the needs of people with dwarfism.
The report, titled Giving You Clear Results, highlights key survey findings about current participation trends, motivations and barriers to taking part and latent demand of sport and activities among the dwarf/restricted growth population.
They include:
- Top five current participation activities for people with dwarfism are swimming, boccia, athletics, badminton and walking.
- Top three reasons for participating in sport and physical activity were given as enjoyment, keeping fit and socialising.
- Eight in ten (84 per cent) people stated that they would like to do more sport and/or physical activity in the future.
As well as providing insight into current participation levels. The report also highlights valuable findings for sports providers such as National Governing Bodies of sport, County Sports Partnerships and local sports clubs, on how to they can improve their activity offers for people with dwarfism and restricted growth.
The report highlights:
- Almost half of survey respondents (48 per cent) travel more than 30 minutes to take part in some form of sport or physical activity.
- Only one in ten (12 per cent) people described being ‘very happy’ with the amount of time they spend travelling to participate.
- Travel difficulties was also highlighted as one of the top three barriers to participation, along with lack of suitable opportunities and other health conditions.
- The research revealed a high level of latent demand from people with dwarfism and restricted growth for other sports including archery, canoeing/kayaking and table tennis.
Nigel Burton, Inclusive Sports Officer at DSAuk said about the survey:
"DSAuk continue to grow and provide our own regular sport and recreational activity opportunities for people with dwarfism through regional and national events. The survey has shown that people with dwarfism want to do more activity and has reinforced the need for sports providers to offer more opportunities at a local level for people with dwarfism."
“We are keen to use this report to work with sports providers at all levels and with support from our DSAuk Regional Development Officers, we hope to fill the gaps in delivery of more accessible opportunities for people with dwarfism and restricted growth across the UK.”
DSAuk is the National Disability Sports Organisation for people with restricted growth and dwarfism in the UK and are supported by Sport England. They aim to make regular sporting opportunities accessible and enjoyable to anyone with restricted growth.
DSAuk Giving You Clear Results report is available in accessible PDF format.
