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Join us at the Disability Sport or Sport for Disabled People conference

The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) is working in partnership with SMN to deliver a one-day conference, focusing on how to increase disabled people's participation in sport and active recreation. If you would like to learn more about better practices that have been tried and tested, or have a success story to share- join us in May at the Disability sport or sport for disabled people conference.

All participants need to feel valued and receive equal opportunities in sport. Satisfied participants will share their experience with others, so it makes great marketing sense to provide a quality experience for everyone. 
 
But there are over 10 million disabled people in the country and four out of five are not currently active, as well as being half as likely to participate in sport as non-disabled people. It means we still have an important role to ensure sport is for all in what and how we provide opportunities.
 
After a fantastic summer of sport in 2012, there was a surge of interest from disabled people wanting to find sporting opportunities. The national body for disabled people in sport throughout England- English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) found in their post-Games survey that eight out of ten disabled people were considering taking part in sport. In contrast, a study of UK clubs by the Sport and Recreation Alliance reported almost nine in 10 (89%) sports clubs saw no change in the number of disabled people joining in the months after the London Games.
 
So how can we improve the provision for disabled people? Clubs are vital but not the only place for disabled people to take part in sport. To increase participation means sustainable opportunities in different guises.
 
Importantly, EFDS’s previous research - Understanding barriers to participation - determined psychological barriers for disabled people to be the most prominent in sport and physical activity. Psychological barriers include attitudes of and towards disabled people, affecting their confidence in being active. This shows that inclusive provision is more than a ramp, an accessible toilet or a sports wheelchair. It can often be a cultural change to ensure disabled people turn up, enjoy the experience and return for more. 

Conference

 

Date: Thursday16 May 2013

Venue: English Institute of Sport, Sheffield
 
Real stories and successes to be told, ideas and experiences to be shared.  

This one-day event will provide lots of better practice on increasing disabled people’s participation in sport. Attendees can learn from others and adapt ideas to suit their own environment. Pick up helpful insight, learning from disabled people themselves and the clubs who have been successful. Use the ideas to shape your sporting opportunities to provide experiences for everyone involved.  

Have you got a great story to tell?


How do you deliver great, sustainable community sport for disabled people? How do you provide great customer experiences both within mainstream sport and also specialised disability sports providers?
 
How do we create a better understanding of how to welcome disabled people into community sports clubs and other providers? How do we develop a more enterprising culture within disability sport, ensuring long-term sustainability?
 
How to introduce a long-term change of culture, with a more customer focused and welcoming approach? How to overcome the psychological (personal perceptions and attitudes of others), and logistical and physical barriers?
 
This event focuses on these issues, highlights best practice and provides thoughts, tools and to-dos on how you too can become a great provider of sport for disabled people.
 
It will bring together positive examples of inclusive facilities, programmes, clubs and other organisations which exist all over UK but are and where best practice is rarely shared.
 
The day will give you the thoughts, tools and to-dos on how you can become a great provider of sport for disabled people. Open to everyone who wants to learn more, delegates will come from community sports trusts, informal sports providers, community sports enterprises, sports governing bodies, community sports clubs, community groups and other community sports providers.

Ideas for topics, case-stories and speakers are being sought- so please contact Svend at Sports Marketing Networks if you have a story to tell.

 

The Organiser


The conference is organised by the Sports Marketing Network (SMN), the network for people involved with the commercial, community and marketing issues across all sports, be it club, governing body, CSP, local authority or private sports deliverer.  SMN provides information on how to make your club or facility more viable, vibrant and visible, sharing best practice across all sports. It publishes newsletters, organises seminars and helps sports and leisure providers with their commercial, communication and community activities.
 
English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) will work in partnership with SMN as the national body for sport and active recreation for disabled people throughout England.

To register- call Svend on 01423 326660 or email  

For more information on EFDS, contact Sarah Marl