Ensuring accessible opportunities on Disabled Access Day

The first ever Disabled Access Day takes place on Saturday 17 January 2015. Organised by a group of disabled people and their friends, it is backed by the new online search site, Euan’s Guide. To raise awareness for the Day, the national charity, the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS), is calling upon sport and fitness providers to ensure their opportunities are accessible to disabled people.

With events across the country the organisers  say, “It’s all about getting out and visiting a venue that you’ve never been to before- whether a cinema, coffee shop, sports centre or anywhere else”.

EFDS is one of 13 organisations promoting the Day, and there’s a wide variety of things to do come Saturday.

To support providers to include more disabled people, the charity, dedicated to disabled people in sport and physical activity, can offer a host of resources and activities to complement the Day’s positive messages. For disabled people, we can signpost you to a range of great opportunities that mean you can access a more active lifestyle.

Access activities

Our website features a comprehensive list of sport and other exercise opportunities, including in January alone everything from boccia in the East Midlands to a free wheelchair dance taster session in Sheffield. Also, disability gymnastics in Hinckley to LimbPower archery in Stoke Mandeville.

Just search the Events page of our site, take a look and make your choice. There are also lots more opportunities through the BBC Activity site.

If disabled people want to access more information on being active, EFDS’s new guide could be a great place to start. Being Active is a free downloadable guide for those living with impairments and health conditions.

Access gyms and fitness

With over 400 Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) accredited gyms across the country, they provide everyone with a fantastic accessible local facility. On offer- IFI accredited fitness equipment, through to accessible changing rooms and friendly trained staff.

Accessible sports clubs and facilities

Those who run sports clubs, operate fitness or other facilities, might want to take a look at Access for all: Opening Doors. This user-friendly guide aims to break down one of the main barriers for people with a range of impairments- venue accessibility.

Access training

Through Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All, EFDS helps to deliver high-quality training designed to support more disabled people to be more active.

The key focus of Inclusive Community Training is to support professionals and community workers who have direct contact with disabled people by helping them to introduce healthier active lifestyles.

The Inclusive PE module means free training and resources are available for teachers and school staff – it helps to provide quality PE provision for all young people.

Meanwhile, IFI offers a brand new e-Learning course: 'Delivering an excellent service for disabled customers’. Targeted at those working in the fitness industry, it explores inclusive customer service, perceptions of disability, effective communication, legislation and much more. Completing the course can help to ensure everyone plays their part in creating a welcoming environment for disabled people.

Accessible communications

Written in partnership with Big Voice Communications, the EFDS inclusive communications guide aims to address the main communication barriers that many people experience in sport and physical activity, which also stop disabled people from accessing some opportunities.

As well as providing essential better practice guidance on planning, terminology and language, it explains the purpose of accessible formats and shows how providers can get the best from their communications.

Download the guide for free in our resources pages.

Disabled Access Day- 17 January

As you’d expect, Disabled Access Day is full of accessible events catering to people who want to take part in sport and physical activities. Ascot will dedicate its second race of the day to mark Disabled Access Day, while Aspire Leisure Centre in Stanmore is also participating. Calvert Trust Exmoor, the South West’s premier outdoor activity destination for people with all impairments, feature, as does Huddersfield Sports Centre, Living Sport in Cambridgeshire and Worthing Leisure.

To find out more about Disabled Access Day, visit their website or follow on Twitter, Facebook and Flickr.