Survey reveals disabled people face significant barriers to activity
Just over half of disabled people are given the opportunity to be as active as they want, according to our latest Annual Disability and Activity Survey.
The survey, now in its sixth year, explores disabled people's perceptions and experiences of sport and physical activity. It combines responses from more than 1,000 disabled people and 1,000 non-disabled people across the UK with in-depth discussions about the realities of taking part.
The findings paint a mixed picture. While there are some encouraging signs of progress, disabled people continue to face substantial barriers to participation, with concerns around accessibility, affordability, wellbeing and belonging all affecting opportunities to be active.
Disabled people are less likely to feel they have the opportunity to be as active as they would like (52% compared to 74% of non-disabled people), despite being more likely to want to do more physical activity (67% compared to 54% of non-disabled people).
Importantly, the research shows that interest in being active remains high among disabled people. Many participants described sport and activity as central to their identity, health and overall wellbeing.
Health and wellbeing emerged as a key theme throughout the research. Disabled people consistently reported poorer wellbeing outcomes than non-disabled people, with higher levels of anxiety, lower life satisfaction and greater feelings of loneliness. Nearly seven in ten (68%) disabled people who experience loneliness said being active could help them feel less lonely.
The survey also highlights the growing impact of financial pressures. Almost half (46%) of disabled people said the increased cost of living has reduced how active they are, while 59% said the cost of activities influences how they choose to be active.
Concerns about financial support remain a significant issue. More than four in ten (43%) disabled people said fear that benefits or financial assistance might be taken away prevents them from trying to be more active. One in five (21%) said they, or someone they know, had experienced benefits being sanctioned, reduced, suspended or removed because of being physically active.
Alongside financial challenges, many disabled people described a gap between organisations promoting themselves as inclusive and their experiences in practice. Participants highlighted the importance of staff confidence, understanding and willingness to adapt activities, as well as the need for accessible facilities, equipment and clear information.
The findings also show that representation and belonging matter. Disabled people are less likely to feel they belong in sport and activity settings and less likely to see people like themselves volunteering, coaching or working in the sector. Participants said seeing disabled people in leadership and delivery roles helps create environments where people feel understood, welcomed and valued.
The report concludes with four recommendations. To be inclusive and meet disabled people’s needs organisations across sport and physical activity sector need to:
- Ensure inclusive practice.
- Be affordable and flexible.
- Create a culture of belonging.
- Ensure disabled people have choice.
Adam Blaze, Activity Alliance CEO said:
"Disabled people continue to tell us that being active is important to their health, wellbeing and sense of belonging. Yet this year's findings show that too many are still facing barriers that non-disabled people simply do not experience.
"Whilst there are some encouraging signs of progress, disabled people remain twice as likely to be inactive. Many want to be more active but continue to encounter inaccessible environments, rising costs, uncertainty about financial support, and activity opportunities that say they are inclusive but do not always feel inclusive in practice.
"What stands out most in this research is not a lack of interest or motivation. Disabled people want to take part. They want the same opportunities to enjoy the physical, mental and social benefits of sport and activity as everyone else. The challenge for all of us is making sure those opportunities genuinely exist.
"Disabled people's experiences must be at the heart of decisions across sport, physical activity, health and wider society. Inclusion cannot be an aspiration or a statement on a website. It must be reflected in the way activities are designed, delivered and experienced every day. Our vision is simple, a future where all disabled people feel they belong in sport and activity. The insight in this report shows why that work remains so important and why we cannot afford to slow down."
Heather completed the survey and was part of a focus group, said:
"Sports and activities are infact an alternative medicine for the hidden disability which I have, which is classed as a chronic condition. Being active improves my mindset, body and spirit, develops self confidence, inspires my long-term goals and most importantly, helps me to meet stimulating, like-minded people with whom I find it easy to integrate instead of feeling isolated at home.
"I am not surprised at all (about the fact just over half of disabled people are given the opportunity to be as active as they want) for when you are searching for an opportunity to exercise the doors are often easily closed on your enthusiasm. This is particularly prevalent if you email or telephone the service provider.
"It is only when they actually see you in person and hold a detailed conversation, that they start to realise that you will push your boundaries as much as possible without causing personal harm, if only you can be given the chance to have adaptations made that make it possible to participate."
Our Annual Disability and Activity Survey is one of the UK's leading sources of insight into disabled people's experiences of sport and activity, complimenting Sport England’s Active Lives Adults Survey. This year's findings reinforce the importance of listening to lived experience and taking action to address the barriers that continue to prevent many disabled people from being active.
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View Annual Disability and Activity Survey Report
View our annual survey page to read the executive summary and full survey report to explore the findings and recommendations in more detail.
We have also provided a summary of the key findings in easy read and a BSL translation video format. Visit our annual survey page to view accessible format versions.
Sign up for our research webinar next week
Join our research webinar on Tuesday 23 June at 11:30am to hear Activity Alliance Senior Research and Insight Advisor, Molly O’Brien discuss the findings. She will be joined by Kathryn Hall, True Insights Research Director, who will facilitate discussions with disabled people who participated in the focus groups, sharing their experiences and views on the survey findings and recommendations.
Sign up for the research webinar on Eventbrite.
More information
If you require further support to access the Annual Disability and Activity Survey reports, or would like to request an accessible Word copy, please contact our research team. You can email research@activityalliance.org.uk or call 0808 175 6991.
