Blog: 'In 2016, we will continue to champion disabled people’s right to be active'
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) website features a blog post every Friday through the year. This month's theme is leading the way in 2016 for disabled people in sport and physical activity.
Over December, you can read key leaders talking about their hopes for the year ahead. The first for the month comes from Barry Horne, our Chief Executive.
Barry's blog:
EFDS has a very simple vision, and that is that disabled people are active for life. It’s our long-term ambition for individuals and society as a whole.
Disabled people are half as likely as non-disabled people to be active, but we know seven in ten disabled people want to be more active. That gives you an idea of the challenge ahead as well as the opportunity.
Today as I look back over 2015, I am very proud of the amount of work EFDS continues to deliver in such a challenging climate. The team has produced some outstanding research, resources and influenced many more people to work towards our vision.
This year, we introduced our Charter for Change, which is relevant for many audiences and outlines three key Asks. Through backing this Charter, many organisations are already helping to change the landscape, so more disabled people can live or choose an active lifestyle. It is not exclusive to disabled people either. To truly improve disabled people’s participation in 2016 and beyond, we need to work collaboratively. We saw positive movements towards this in a recent unique networking event. There, the Minister for Disabled People, Justin Tomlinson, backed the Charter in front of 70 organisations.
Central to our progress is research and insight. It has certainly changed our charity’s direction and position. EFDS is leading the way in finding out more on what motivates and drives disabled people to be active. And we have been on quite a journey. We’re using the barriers and lifestyle reports from three years ago, to expand our knowledge with more in-depth studies on disabled people. Rather than capturing just statistics, we’re capturing real lives.
The Me, being active short films we released yesterday highlight five disabled people's personal stories.
This year, we released the Talk to Me report. Within that we unveiled the 10 principles. These principles developed from what disabled people told us, to help providers make activities more appealing. It’s pleasing to see how many organisations now have these principles pinned to their walls, to ensure their development matches demand. We hope this continues to grow in 2016 and we see the impact in how they are used.
Our findings show it would more beneficial to shift away from the past approaches in how opportunities are promoted and marketed. How do we engage disabled people in activities? It is not appropriate to continue saying- "Here is the stuff we always offer." People change. Our lifestyles and motivations change. Everyone needs a wide range of fun opportunities.
In localities, we have a higher chance of providing the right offer. EFDS does this so well through our engagement work- connecting local sport and disability networks. In 2016, we’re increasing the community focus and delivering more regional forums as well as taking our insight into the local areas. Our successful training, events and Inclusive Fitness Initiative programmes all add to the valuable local offer available for years to come.
Many disabled people continue to say they are not aware of the opportunities that are available in their home areas. The success of our Inclusive Communications Guide proves organisations want to find new ways to reach more people. As well as highly commended at the Excellence in Diversity Awards, we recently revealed our short Guide animation film. These better practices in sport communications are transferring across other sectors and the benefits are not limited to disabled people. We’re determined that 2016 promises more providers will embrace these marketing communication improvements.
We use the word ‘legacy’ a lot in sport, which has continued since the Games in 2012. They were a fantastic experience. Back then, I was quick to say that they were incredible, but what is happening in the local community? What will the response be if a disabled person wants to be active in the gym, or at the park? In 2016, we will continue to champion disabled people’s right to be active, at whatever level they choose to be, and not be judged on talent or having to be a superhuman.
EFDS is looking forward to the New Year, when we also will review and refresh our organisation’s strategy for 2016-2021. Building on our work over the last five years, EFDS will strengthen our focus in four key strategic areas:
- Ensuring disabled people can access opportunities to be active early in life and remain active as they get older.
- Widening our reach and influence well beyond ‘sport’.
- Putting even greater emphasis on engaging currently inactive people.
- Recognising the large and diverse range of people embraced within the social model of disability.
It’s been yet another amazing year. There is significantly more to do. If I had one hope for 2016 and beyond, it is that disabled people feel listened to. I hope disabled people will be able to see how their views are used in positive ways to provide better opportunities right across the country. Not just by EFDS, but every other organisation, which plays a part in making active lives possible.
May I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for your support in 2015. We look forward to working with you in 2016.
