Today marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Find out what we are doing to support deaf and disabled Londoners to lead physically active lives.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities by the United Nations exists to promote the rights and wellbeing of disabled people in society. To mark this day we revisit what we are doing in physical activity and sport in London, to make sure that deaf and disabled Londoners are as equally active as non-disabled Londoners.
A Strategic Plan of Action for Disability in London
In 2017 we launched An Active Inclusive Capital, which set out our aspirations towards ensuring that deaf and disabled people in London being at least as active as non-disabled people. The framework for An Active Inclusive Capital incorporates recommendations that delivered effectively will create a cultural shift leading to change in attitudes.
A year on from launching this plan, we published our 12-month progress report and were delighted that some progress had already been made. This included the development of local disability networks, now running or in development in nine London Boroughs; a consultancy project with the Tennis Foundation to increase participation in disability tennis programmes in identified opportunity areas; supporting Inclusion Advisory Groups to engage deaf and disabled stakeholders; and worked with local disability sector partners to enable the delivery of disability equality training to almost 100 key stakeholders in London.
“It’s been fantastic working with London Sport and having them represented on our Inclusion Advisory Group. Their expertise in disability inclusion, alongside a vision of An Active Inclusive Capital helps Surrey FA to continue to establish deaf and disabled people as central to the development of our football policies, programmes and delivery.”
Andrew Dickinson, Operations Manager, Surrey County Football Association.
Supporting our partners to develop facilities focusing on access and disability design
We are supporting the Greater London Authority with their On Your Marks! major engagement programme, exploring the future of Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. Our involvement will support deaf and disabled Londoners to be actively involved in the development of sports facilities local to them.
Initial master plan designs will be presented and discussed on 13 December 18.30 – 20.30 at The Lodge, Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. If you are interested in being involved please get in touch with Kate Budd by email [email protected] or call 0203 848 4630.
Five London Marathon runners fundraising to develop Disability Champions
Last week, we shared stories of our five London Marathon 2019 runners, all raising vital funds to support less active deaf and disabled Londoners. In total, we hope the runners will raise £9,000 which will go towards developing Disability Champions within local communities to empower inactive and less active deaf and disabled Londoners in a range of underrepresented communities.
Paul’s story – anyone can play sport
Last year, along with Chocolate Films, we released Paul’s story as part of their 1,000 Londoners project. Paul is a sports coach in Newham and offers one to one coaching to disabled people in London. Paul tells his story about his son who lost his sight at the age of 10. Paul and his son were determined not to let that stop his interest and passion in playing football.
Nominate now for the Physical Activity for Health Award
Have you, or someone you know, been involved in great work to help disabled people in London to be physically active? Why not enter a London Sport Award. It’s completely free and can raise the profile of great work happening to ensure deaf and disabled Londoners have access to and experience high quality activities in sport.
Nominate now for the Physical Activity for Health Award. Nominations close on 13 January 2019 and winners will be announced on 14 March 2019 at Twickenham Stadium, book your tickets now.
