Inclusive Sport
In this article, we consider the importance of inclusive sport, offer advice for overcoming physical, psychological and financial barriers and take a look at some of the incredible organisations dedicated to providing disability-friendly sports.
According to Sport England, disabled people are twice as likely to be physically inactive (41%) than those without a disability (20%). However, sport and physical activity bring many important social, physical and mental health benefits to disabled children, including:
- Improving quality of life, including mood and well-being.
- Increasing muscle strength and stamina.
- Building confidence, independence and developing transferable skills.
- Establishing a sense of social belonging, supporting identity development, and helping to develop friendships.
Overcoming Physical Barriers
The physical barriers to sport discourage many people with disabilities from participating. However, there are many adaptations that can be made to enable everyone to join in, regardless of disability. It is possible to adapt almost every sport. These adaptations can involve:
- Specialist Equipment – there are many different types of specialist equipment available. For example you may use a sports wheelchair for racing, basketball, rugby, or tennis or you could use a hoist for sailing or horse riding.
- Modified Facilities – the space or way in which the sport is played can be adapted. For example, during sitting volleyball the net is lower and the court is smaller.
- Rule Adaptations – the regular rules of the game can be changed or altered to suit disabled participants. For example, in wheelchair tennis you are allowed two bounces before you hit the ball.
- Additional Support – Athletes can be given additional support to help them join in. For example, runners with visual impairments may run with a guide runner.
Overcoming Mental Barriers
It can be daunting to take that first step towards joining a club or sport. You might not be sporty yourself, or you or your child may feel shy or anxious to try something new. These worries are completely normal. Here are some tips on how to overcome them:
- Contact the sports club you’re interested in and ask any questions in advance.
- Watch videos on a club’s social media feed to see how a sport is played.
- Speak to your child’s coach or teacher (with your child’s permission) about how your child feels about taking part in a sport, so that you can work on solutions.
Financial Support
Cost can also be a barrier to getting involved in sport. The facilities and equipment that disabled children may require to participate can often be expensive. Below is a list of ways to find financial support for accessible sport:
- Many organisations offer financial support to help disabled children participate in sport. Here are a list of disability grants available.
- There are many different types of sport all with their own national governing body who could offer grants to help. Search UK Sports website to find the national governing body for your chosen sport.
- You may also be able to get financial support through certain charities. Try searching for a disability charity linked to your condition and see if they offer any grants for exercise or sport.
- You may be eligible for a Family Fund Grant. This can be used for a range of purposes including for funding sport.
- Some clubs may have equipment that you can loan. It is worth to contacting the club you are thinking of joining to find out if this is a possibility!
- Check out our Grants for Families articles for more organisations that provide grants for specialist equipment.
Getting Active at Home!
You may feel more comfortable getting active at home. This can also be a great alternative for some families. Here is a list of free resources that you can use to get active at home!
- Disability Rights UK’s Get Yourself Active (GYA) have a number of guides and adaptive workout videos available on their website. These have been specifically produced with Disabled people for Disabled people.
- BBC Bitesize have a Parent’s Toolkit with Fun games to help children with SEND get active at home and a guide on How to adapt sports to play at home with your child.
- Super Movers for Every Body have created an inclusive collection of follow-along songs and dances for families. They’re short, sweet, super catchy, and perfect for five minutes of daily movement.
Disability-Friendly Organisations
There are a number of incredible organisations dedicated to providing disability-friendly sports. These providers empower individuals with disabilities through inclusive and adaptive sports programs. Some of these include:
Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK) is an organisation dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through adaptive snow sports.
- They offer adaptive instruction and support to make snowsports enjoyable, thrilling, and life-enhancing.
- They operate ski schools throughout the UK and create opportunities for skiing and snowboarding in mountain environments worldwide.
- By participating in adaptive snow sports, individuals can experience physical, mental, and social benefits.
Disability Sport NI (DSNI) is the leading disability sports charity in Northern Ireland, dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities through sports and active recreation.
- Mission: DSNI works with people of all ages with physical, sensory, and learning disabilities. They collaborate with schools, disability groups, sports organisations, and clubs to ensure that everyone can enjoy the health, social, and educational benefits of participating in sports and active recreation.
- Inclusive Approach: DSNI provides a variety of resources to support the health and wellbeing of people with disabilities or long-term health conditions. Their efforts focus on making sports accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
- Active Living: The Progressive Disability Sports Hubs offer information on sports and active recreation opportunities provided by DSNI and other disability and mainstream sports organisations.
Disability Sport Wales (DSW) is the leading organisation for promoting and supporting disability physical activity and sport in Wales. Their mission is to create opportunities for disabled individuals to engage in physical activities at the community level and to support talented athletes competing in disability and parasport on national and international stages.
- Insport Club: More than 170 clubs have met the Insport Club Ribbon Standard or higher, offering inclusive and disability-specific opportunities for sports and physical activities.
- Performance Pathway: The Performance Pathway Programme identifies and supports individuals to help them reach their potential in sports, including future Paralympic & Deaflympic stars.
- Community Sport: Disability Sport Wales supports over a million grassroots opportunities for inclusive sports per year, focusing on community and grassroots sporting opportunities for everyone.
“Freedom Wings,” organised by Freedom in the Air (FITA), provides an incredible opportunity for individuals with disabilities to experience the thrill of flying.
Freedom Wings days create lasting memories, inspire confidence, and open up new horizons for those who take to the skies. |
Surfability UK is a community interest company based in Caswell Bay, Wales, that provides adaptive surfing lessons and experiences for individuals with disabilities, illnesses, injuries, or learning difficulties. They aim to make surfing as inclusive as possible, offering specially adapted surfboards and beach access wheelchairs. This initiative allows individuals with disabilities to experience the joy and therapeutic benefits of surfing.
- Inclusive Surfing: Surfability UK provides adapted surfing lessons for individuals with disabilities, illnesses, injuries, or learning difficulties. They use innovative specialist equipment, including the UK’s first seated tandem surfboard, to ensure everyone can enjoy surfing.
- Year-Round Activities: Lessons are held at Caswell Bay, with indoor skateboarding available during winter.
Inclusive Surfing Scotland are dedicated to making the exhilarating sport of surfing accessible to everyone. Inclusive Surfing Scotland provides surfing experiences for people with additional needs due to disability, illness, injury, or learning difficulties. The organisation are committed to breaking down barriers and fostering a community where everyone can experience the joy of riding the wave.
- First of its Kind: Inclusive Surfing Scotland is the first organisation to offer surfing sessions for people with disabilities in the central belt of Scotland.
- Expert Leadership: Iain Donaldson, a qualified surf instructor with extensive experience, leads the organisation. He holds a specialised certification in adaptive surfing.
Sailability provide accessible sailing for all. There are over 200 Sailability venues across the UK that offer boating opportunities tailored to individual needs and abilities.
- Support & Independence: Sailability provides support for new sailors to ensure a comfortable and independent sailing experience.
- Join & Participate: Joining clubs and centres is easy, with a focus on inspiring disabled individuals to engage in boating activities.
Sailability is about creating an inclusive environment where sailing is accessible to everyone, fostering independence and community spirit.
Carsington Sailing Club in Derby is the home of our annual Sailability Summer Splash event! Sailability at Carsington, provide the opportunity for people with disabilities to experience sailing and take part in regular sailing activities, offering a sense of peace and freedom on the water. Both disabled and able-bodied members meet on Wednesdays and Saturdays for various events, including dinghy racing and training sessions. The volunteers are supportive and passionate about getting disabled children, and young people out on the water; if you’re in the area check them out!
Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) is the governing and coordinating body for all sports in Scotland, catering to individuals of all ages and abilities with physical, sensory, or learning disabilities. Their strategic plan, “Inspiring Through Inclusion 2021-2029”, guides their work, ensuring that sports are accessible and empowering for everyone. SDS offers various programs, events, and opportunities, including:
- Parasport Festivals: These events showcase various sports and provide inclusive experiences for participants across different regions of Scotland. From badminton to cycling, these festivals celebrate diversity and participation.
- Summer Camp: The Summer Camp is an annual event designed to offer children and young people with physical, sensory, or learning disabilities the chance to participate in a wide range of sports and activities in a fun and supportive environment. The camp takes place at the Badaguish Activity Centre and lasts for several days. It features a variety of sports including tennis, athletics, floor curling, kayaking, and archery.
Special Olympics Great Britain (GB) is an incredible organisation committed to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities through sports.
- Inclusive Sports Training: Offering year-round training and competitions in a variety of summer and winter sports for children and adults of all abilities. Special Olympics GB is open to anyone regardless of age or disability. They also have a Young Athletes Programme for those aged 2-7 years.
- Emphasis on Ability: Their focus is on the child or young person’s abilities, providing them with opportunities to compete at local, national, and international levels over a wide range of different sports.
- Extensive Network: Special Olympics GB has a network of 95 inclusive sports programs across Scotland, England, and Wales, supported by over 3,500 volunteers.
- Life Transformation: Beyond sports, the organisation transforms lives by fostering social skills, confidence, physical fitness, and joy among more than 6,500 athletes.
Special Olympics GB is part of the global Special Olympics International movement, which reaches 5.7 million athletes in 200 countries and advocates for inclusivity and an end to discrimination.
WheelPower is a national charity for wheelchair sports located at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement.
For over 75 years, WheelPower has been providing opportunities for people with physical impairments to participate in sports. They support and promote participation at all levels, from beginners to Paralympic medalists. Their mission is to help individuals lead healthy, active lives through wheelchair sports. WheelPower organises events, offers online classes, and covers a wide range of sports, including archery, athletics, cycling, swimming, and more.
Whether you’re new to wheelchair sports or an experienced athlete, WheelPower is committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive sporting community.
In Your Area
Why not use WellChild’s In Your Area platform to find accessible and inclusive sporting opportunities across the UK and in your local area!
Read more about the platform here.
If you have any comments, ideas, or suggestions about this article please contact us at [email protected]
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Rachel Carluke, Family Information Officer
First published: November 2024
Next review: November 2025
