Access to sport for disabled people

To celebrate the London 2012 paralympics, our campaign of the week is Doing Sport Differently - a comprehensive guide for people with disabilities to accessing sports and leisure opportunities area by area, written by and for people living with disability or health conditions.

As paralympic athlete Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE says: “There is no reason why disabled people should not get as much out of sport and exercise as non-disabled people. I am living proof of that. Whether you’re a beginner or want to compete internationally, whether you’re a parent of a sports player or whether you just want to watch sport, Doing Sport Differently will help you to do it. Give it a read – especially if you don’t think exercise is for you. It may change your life.”

The guide also covers the likely benefits of sport and fitness: reduced risk of heart disease, osteoarthritis, dementia, some cancers and even fractures and falls; and the less tangible results: meeting new people, forming friendships, boosting energy levels; improving mood, self confidence and sleep.

Doing Sport Differently offers ideas for people with disabilities to get involved in sport and fitness, whether by walking, swimming, visiting the gym, watching, volunteering or helping support others access sport. 

Download your free copy of Doing Sport Differently here. 

Doing Sport Differently is also running a five-minute survey exploring your views and experiences of sport and fitness. Anyone who fills it in will be entered into a prize draw for Olympic and Paralympic goodies. 

Produced by Disability Rights UK, Doing Sport Differently is part of a series that also includes guides on careers, work, IT, transport and money.

Follow Disability Rights UK on twitter.

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