Championing inclusion for disabled people on National Fitness Day

The campaign theme of ‘Fitness Unites Us’ stands to emphasise that physical activity means something different to us all. It brings people of all abilities and backgrounds together for a common purpose - to lead healthier, more active lives.
Find out more about National Fitness Day.

As the leading voice for disabled people in sport and activity, National Fitness Day is an opportunity for us all to champion inclusive approaches and recognise that everyone deserves to enjoy the benefits of physical activity. Engaging in sport and physical activity is unifying in lots of ways. It helps our happiness, our social lives, our general wellbeing.

We know how strongly disabled people value access to sport and activity – our most recent Annual Disability and Activity Survey 2021-22 indicating that compared to the previous year, more people (both disabled and non-disabled) agreed that sport and physical activity is ‘for disabled people’.

Yet, full and equal access to opportunities has still not been realised for many. Only 4 in 10 disabled people feel they have the opportunity to be as active as they want. And, the pandemic has negatively affected disabled people’s perception of physical activity access, with less than 3 in 10 disabled people feeling encouraged to return to physical activity after the pandemic.

Our latest Annual Survey also indicates that when disabled people did return to activity, their experiences were less positive. Only 52% of disabled people reported a positive experience, compared to 70% of non-disabled people. Disabled people are now less likely than last year to feel activity leaders met their needs and included them.  

Achieving fairness for disabled people in sport and activity is our absolute priority for National Fitness Day. We get the most out of sport when we are united in ensuring everyone can experience and enjoy activity equally. We know that being active is so much more than just physical fitness for disabled people:

 Sue, visually impaired swimmer and gym-goer said:

"I feel energised after exercise, and I think it helps to reduce stress and anxiety levels. I enjoy a challenge and feel a sense of achievement when I push myself beyond what I thought was physically possible for me.

"There are many barriers for disabled people trying to access fitness and sporting events. I do not feel safe swimming in a lane with more than two other people, only if they are aware of my visual impairment and take care to avoid collisions. This is not possible in a general public swim."

Read more about Sue’s sport and activity story here

How Activity Alliance is supporting the sport and leisure sector

While we see and share many fantastic examples of how being active can change people’s lives for the better on National Fitness Day. It is important we also acknowledge and proactively address the long-standing inequalities that exist for disabled people in sport and leisure. Here’s a few ways in which we’re supporting the sport and leisure sector to be more inclusive.

Partnering with Quest on new Leisure Standard

September saw the launch of the new Tackling Inequalities in Leisure Standard, co-written by Activity Alliance and Quest. Replacing the Inclusive Fitness Initiative, the new Standard sees inclusion fully embedded into Quest Assessments – Sport England’s Continuous Improvement Tool. It helps leisure operators provide more inclusive and accessible physical activity opportunities for people from a range of inequality groups, including disabled people.

Read more on new Tackling Inequalities Leisure Standard

New Leisure resources to assist in tackling inequalities

Activity Alliance has developed new factsheets aimed at supporting providers to make the right changes to strengthen their inclusion work and engage more disabled people. The ten factsheets provide clear and simple guidance, useful resources, and top tips to embed better inclusive practices within leisure facilities and programmes. They can also support organisations undertaking the new Quest Tackling Inequalities in Leisure Standard.  

View new leisure resources here

Training on delivering an excellent service for disabled customers

Everyone deserves to have a positive experience in sport and physical activity, and it starts with inclusive customer service and care. Our Delivering an Excellent Service for Disabled Customers eLearning Course is a great way to upskill and empower workforces across the sport and leisure sector. Users are given practical advice and top tips while learning directly from disabled people talking about their lived experiences.

Find out more about this eLearning course - Delivering an Excellent Service for Disabled Customers