Reasonable adjustments were seen as unfair
Natalie can’t see herself ever working outside of sport, but faced negative perceptions and misconceptions with little support in challenging negative attitudes.
A series of case studies have been published by Activity Alliance as part of a new report on disabled people in the sport and physical activity workforce. Whilst names have been changed, they show the real-life experiences people have had in the sport and physical activity workforce.
In her mainstream primary school, Natalie wasn’t allowed to do PE, but on moving to a specialist secondary school, she discovered a talent and passion for sport. She went on to play at national level.
After a couple of paid jobs that weren’t in sport - an opportunity presented itself to follow her dream by doing a personal training qualification. She wanted to support disabled people to participate in physical activity and bring her lived experience and understanding of accessibility to the role.
She found that open dialogue, starting during the recruitment process around adjustments and adaptations enabled her to secure the job.
“If you have an issue with me as a colleague, what would you be like with a member? It can really deter someone from coming to the gym, if that is the attitude they encounter.”
However, when agreeing reasonable adjustments with her employer, a colleague had an issue with the fact she would not undertake certain tasks that the non-disabled trainers did and would instead do other tasks. While the organisation was supportive, this one individual made it difficult for Natalie to feel completely confident and comfortable in her role. Before she was able to escalate it further the gym closed.
Read Natalie’s case study: Natalie - challenges in mainstream fitness
The ‘Research into the workforce gap - Disabled people in the sport and physical activity workforce’ is available to read on the Activity Alliance website.
