My Sport My Voice project to launch in 2014 thanks to Big Lottery Fund
The UK Sports Association (UKSA) has today announced the launch of its ‘My Sport My Voice’ project – a new initiative which aims to build on the success of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Set to commence in April 2014, ‘My Sport My Voice’ will raise awareness around talented athletes with learning disability amongst the general public, giving those athletes a platform to share their views and challenge perceptions around disability.
The project, which has been made possible thanks to a funding award from the Big Lottery Fund under its Spirit of 2012 Trust’s ‘Keeping the Spirit of 2012 Alive’ initiative, will involve establishing an Athlete Ambassador programme and implementing a series of nationwide workshops to engage with the public using a bespoke communication package designed as part of the project.
These workshops, which will be co-delivered by the Athlete Ambassadors, will help to dispel myths around learning disability, challenge outdated attitudes and enhance public awareness of the issues facing disabled people.
Tracey McCillen, Chief Executive at UKSA, said:
“My Voice My Sport will help to raise the profile of athletes with learning disability and of their remarkable achievements, both in and out of the sporting arena. The whole project is about including the athletes in every aspect, putting them at the very centre as our Athlete Ambassadors and enabling them to have their voice heard. UKSA plays a unique role as the only organisation in the UK focusing entirely on high performance sport for athletes with learning disability and so is ideally placed to drive this project forward but it would not be possible without the Big Lottery funding and we are very grateful for their support.”
The project will be delivered in collaboration with the four Home Nation partner bodies - English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS), Scottish Disability Sport (SDS), Disability Sport Northern Ireland (DSNI) and Disability Sport Wales (DSW).
Jon Morgan, Executive Director at Disability Sport Wales, said:
“Having the opportunity to play a central role in the delivery of the ‘My Sport My Voice’ project is something that all four Home Nation partners are very excited about. It is a fantastic initiative which will help to build on the momentum gathered during the London 2012 Paralympic Games. By educating the public and encouraging the development of positive perceptions of people with learning disability we have a real opportunity to influence change."
Tracey McCillen added:
“Each of our Home Nation partners has a great deal of expertise and experience, their involvement and support will be invaluable in the successful delivery of this important project.”
Peter Ainsworth, Chair of the Big Lottery Fund, said:
"Like the 2012 London Games, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games are set to inspire people and communities across the UK. My Sport My Voice is all about creating a positive, lasting legacy from the 2012 Games through challenging misconceptions around disabilities through the efforts of some fantastic athletes. It is just this kind of aim that inspired the Big Lottery Fund to set up The Spirit of 2012 Trust, which will be supporting many more brilliant projects like My Sport My Voice in the run up to next summer and beyond.”
UKSA manages the eligibility and classification process for UK athletes with learning disability. The Great Britain Team is managed by UKSA in collaboration with its four Home Country members, Scottish Disability Sport, Disability Sports Northern Ireland, Welsh Sports Association for People with Learning Disability and Mencap Sport in England.
UKSA promotes, facilitates and supports talented sports people with learning disability in the UK to train, compete and excel in national and international competitive sport.
More information
For further information, photos and interviews contact Susan Anderson on 0207 490 3057 or Tracey McCillen on 07710 455 067 (out of hours).
The UK Sports Association for People with Learning Disability (UKSA) is the national disability sports organisation and umbrella body in the UK for sport and people with learning disability. UKSA promotes, supports and facilitates talented sports people with learning disability in the UK to train, compete and excel in national and international sport and is the body responsible for eligibility and classification of athletes from the UK. UKSA is recognised by UK Sport, is a member of the British Paralympic Association and is the official Great Britain member of INAS. See www.uksportsassociation.org
Inas, For Para-Athletes with Intellectual Disability (formerly INAS-FID), founded in 1986, is a member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and is the body responsible for the international competition for athletes with intellectual disability. See www.inas.org
Learning Disability is a term used in the UK, with intellectual disability being used internationally. Both refer to the same group of athletes. Learning disability is a “hidden disability”. It inhibits how a person learns and performs every day functions that others take for granted. It also reduces communication, understanding, social, and living skills. In elite performance sport learning disability is defined as an IQ of 75 or less; significant limitations in adaptive behaviour (day to day functioning) and age of onset of the learning disability being in the development years (0 -18 years). This definition adopted by INAS is from the World Health Organisation (WHO) definition of learning disability (mental handicap) and is in line with other internationally recognised definitions.
UKSA and INAS are different to Special Olympics. UKSA promotes performance led elite competitive sport, has just one classification group in events and is focussed on the performance and winning gold. UKSA and INAS are part of the pathway to Global Games and Paralympic Games. Special Olympics are a year-round sports training and competition programme for adults and children with learning disability. Special Olympics competitions are divisioned so that athletes compete with other athletes of similar ability in each sport. Special Olympics competitions are non-elite catering to all-ability levels. Special Olympics focus is on participation and improving an athlete’s quality of life. High sports ability athletes may progress to the Paralympic level through UKSA and INAS.
