Disabled Access Day: Promoting accessible opportunities to be active
Disabled Access Day takes place on Saturday 12 March 2016. To mark the Day, the national charity, the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS), is calling upon sport and fitness providers to join in the fun and promote their accessible opportunities to be active.
Disabled Access Day is sponsored by Euan’s Guide: a listing and review site that helps disabled people and their families know which venues are truly accessible.
The first Disabled Access Day took place on 17 January 2015. A fantastic 261 venues took part across 11 countries. Following on from the success of last year the organisers are arranging the second event which promises to be even bigger and better!
Disabled Access Day came about after Paul Ralph, a powerchair user and Euan's Guide supporter, went to a ‘try it out day’ at his local bus company. He thought how great it would be if there were similar initiatives, including some more informal events, happening across the country on one specific day.
"The idea of encouraging disabled people to also try something new that day appeared and out of it came the idea of Disabled Access Day.”
EFDS is again one of many organisations promoting the Day. To support providers to include more disabled people, the charity, dedicated to disabled people in sport and physical activity, can help with a host of resources and activities. And. for disabled people, we can point you to a range of great opportunities to be active.
Accessible activities
Our website features a packed list of active opportunities, including in March alone everything from wheelchair dance taster session in Mansfield to a tennis camp for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Also, gymnastics, WheelPower's Primary camps, football talent days and para-cycling sessions- to name a few!
Just search the Events pages on our site, take a look and make your choice. There are also lots more opportunities through the BBC Activity site.
If disabled people want to access more information on being active, EFDS’s guide could be a great place to start. Being Active is a free downloadable guide for those living with impairments and health conditions.
Accessible gyms and fitness
With over 400 Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) accredited gyms across the country, they provide everyone with a fantastic accessible local facility. On offer- IFI accredited fitness equipment, through to accessible changing rooms and friendly trained staff.
You can find your nearest IFI Mark gym on our search page.
Accessible sports clubs and facilities
Those who run sports clubs, operate fitness or other facilities, might want to take a look at Access for all: Opening Doors. This user-friendly guide aims to break down one of the main barriers for people with a range of impairments- venue accessibility.
Access training
Through Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All, EFDS helps to deliver high-quality training designed to support more disabled people to be more active.
The key focus of Inclusive Community Training is to support professionals and community workers who have direct contact with disabled people by helping them to introduce healthier active lifestyles.
The Inclusive PE module means free training and resources are available for teachers and school staff – it helps to provide quality PE provision for all young people.
Meanwhile, IFI offers an e-Learning course: 'Delivering an excellent service for disabled customers’. Targeted at those working in the fitness industry, it explores inclusive customer service, perceptions of disability, effective communication, legislation and much more. Completing the course can help to ensure everyone plays their part in creating a welcoming environment for disabled people.
Accessible communications
Written in partnership with Big Voice Communications, the EFDS inclusive communications guide aims to address the main communication barriers that many people experience in sport and physical activity, which also stop disabled people from accessing some opportunities.
As well as providing essential better practice guidance on planning, terminology and language, it explains the purpose of accessible formats and shows how providers can get the best from their communications.
Disabled Access Day- 12 March
There is a lot going on Disabled Access Day. Join in the fun! There are many sporty events taking place too.
Find out what's on in your area on Disabled Access Day. To find out more about Disabled Access Day, visit their website and follow on Twitter and Facebook
