73% of disabled people in Scotland want to be more active

A new national survey in Scotland, conducted by Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) and Queen Margaret University Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research (CHEARR) has uncovered significant findings around engagement in sport and physical activity by disabled people in Scotland. Two in five responded that they are worried about losing their benefits if seen to be more physically active.

The survey gathered responses from 335 individuals across Scotland, providing a detailed snapshot of physical activity engagement by the nation’s disabled community. The survey highlights urgent priorities around cost-of-living factors and benefits, social security barriers, public transport, urban and rural challenges and intersectionality.

Gavin Macleod, Chief Executive Officer of SDS, said:

"SDS would like to thank Queen Margaret University for their invaluable support in the production of this important research. The findings from this research will be invaluable in supporting SDS to continue to make the case for access to quality inclusive physical activity and sport for participants with disabilities across Scotland. This will include the development of a Call to Action containing strategies and actions that are required to help SDS achieve its vision of a Scotland where sport and physical activity are welcoming and inclusive for participants with disabilities."

Key findings include:

• Nearly 1 in 5 (18%) reported doing zero days of activity a week
• 73% want to do more activity
• Over 70% believe that public transport is not an acceptable alternative
• 95% believe that taking part in sport and physical activity has benefits for their mental health and wellbeing
• Less than half have been recommended to take part in more sport and physical activity by a health or social worker

The purpose of the National Survey is to amplify the voices of people with a disability in Scotland and adopt an evidence-based approach to local and national strategic development and policy engagement in a physical activity and sport context.

The findings are being shared with Government/policymakers, councils, funders and national partners across sport, health and education to shape future strategies.

A four-point Call to Action will be launched at the SDS AGM this September, to outline interventions and action that need to take place before people with a disability have equal access to sport and physical activity.

Access to a more detailed report and summary can be found on the Scottish Disability Sport website.