Everyone can't take part together
Who says we can't change perceptions about disability, inclusion, and sport?
Watch this film and access positive stories, resources, and guidance to challenge your own and other's perceptions.
Watch everyone can't take part together film
Everyone can't take part together film transcript
View Who says? campaign phase one accessible communication formats
For far too long disabled people have faced misconceptions and presumptions on what is and isn’t possible, including in sport. It's time to move the conversations on, open people's minds and shift out-dated views on disability.
Launched on 15 July 2019, phase one of Who says? gave people the positive stories, resources, and guidance to replace these negative ideas. The campaign films focus on six perceptions and provide upbeat insight from a mixture of disabled and non-disabled people.
The first phase of the campaign was created in response to Activity Alliance’s Taking part with disabled people: perceptions research, which explored non-disabled people’s attitudes on inclusive activity. The findings show a lack of understanding could be causing long-lasting barriers for disabled people. For the least active audience in our country, people’s attitudes can make or break activity experiences.
This page responds to Activity Alliance's research and insight on the perception – Everyone can't take part together.
What do we know?
Insight from our 2019 research report – Taking part with disabled people
- Less than one in five non-disabled people had experience of taking part in sport with disabled people and only half of the sample knew a disabled person.
- Around two thirds (67%) had no prior knowledge of what the term ‘inclusive sport’ means. However, unprompted definitions suggest an awareness that inclusive sport is ’for everyone’.
- Almost three quarters (73%) of non-disabled people were open to taking part in sport or physical activity with disabled people. However, people are more cautious of taking part with people with certain impairments such as mental health problems or behavioural conditions.
Calling time on this perception
It is not unusual for you or your organisation to think disabled people don’t want to join in. What’s important is your enthusiasm to learn more. And Activity Alliance with our members have ways to support you on this journey.
Who says? empowers people, on and off the field of play, to challenge their own and others’ perceptions.
More often than not disabled people are looking for opportunities, which appeal to their non-disabled friends and family. The long-term impact is huge as the interaction can help to remove stereotypes and fear. This leads to fewer negative perceptions because integration can improve awareness, confidence and communication.
Our Lifestyle report showed that 6 in 10 disabled people (64 per cent) prefer to take part with a mix of disabled and non-disabled people. (This is what the sector tends to call an “inclusive setting”). However, only 5 in 10 (51 per cent) disabled people are currently taking part this way.
There is no one size fits all and this offer is not everyone’s preference. The important thing is choice and variety. There are a number of ways to be more inclusive. This setting can improve the number of disabled people taking part at a grassroots level. It can make activities more appealing and enjoyable.
Providers can be nervous or lack confidence about putting on inclusive activities. This can be due to limited awareness and understanding of disabled people’s needs and abilities. Therefore, to increase the number of inclusive opportunities, it’s crucial to reassure providers and boost their confidence.
The more inclusive activities there are, the more readily available they are to more of the population. This can have financial benefits too. Increased turnover and the chance to access new funding streams is win-win for local clubs. The people involved in delivering the opportunities also develop and improve their skillset.
Inclusive Activity Programme
The Inclusive Activity Programme (IAP) is a low-cost development opportunity which will upskill you, your employees, and volunteers on how to make activities fun and inclusive for everyone. It is ideal for the sport and leisure sector, community groups and organisations, disability organisations, and individuals supporting disabled people and people with long-term health conditions.
Find out more about Inclusive Activity Programme
The Activity Alliance Learning Hub
As a CIMSPA Education Partner, our Learning Hub offers a range of high-quality, accessible training. Through our training you will develop your knowledge, create meaningful and lasting change and promote your commitment to inclusion. This includes content specifically designed for teachers and teaching assistants to create positive PE experiences for all pupils.
Visit the Activity Alliance Learning Hub
Inclusive Education Hub
Designed specifically for teachers and school staff. Complete the free inclusive PE self-assessment, developed in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust and funded by the Department for Education. Then access relevant free resources based on your answers to continually improve your inclusive PE and school sport for SEND pupils.
Visit the Inclusive Education Hub
Get Out Get Active
Get Out Get Active (GOGA) is an exciting programme that supports disabled and non-disabled people to enjoy being active together. Funded by Spirit of 2012, all partners are focused on getting some of the UK's least active people moving more. It’s all about fun and inclusive activities.
Find out more about Get Out Get Active
Activity Alliance engagement resources
We have a team of Strategic Partnership Advisors to support local and national work. They support key partners, including Active Partnerships and National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs). Our work enables these partners to be more effective in supporting disabled people to be active.
From planning opportunities to measuring impact, these resources can strengthen your work.
Read more about our partnerships team and resources
Call time on negative perceptions with us
Taking the conversation beyond the #WhoSays hashtag is important to us. It’s crucial we talk honestly and openly about matters that affect disabled people’s activity, like policy, funding and promotion. We hope the campaign leads to bigger conversations, greater collaboration and wider systemic responses.
If your organisation would like to get involved, has a story to share or you have a great idea for the campaign, please contact news@activityalliance.org.uk or call 0808 175 6991. We have a range of digital supporter materials available for organisations and the media to use.
