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Scottish Disability Sport has launched a four-point Call to Action that calls on organisations across Scotland to take urgent action to remove the significant barriers faced by people with a disability in accessing sport and physical activity.

The four-point Call to Action follows the publication of a new national survey by SDS, which highlights the ongoing inequalities experienced by people with a disability and the impact this has on their quality of life.

The survey conducted by Scottish Disability Sport in partnership with Queen Margaret University Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research (CHEARR) revealed that 40% of people with a disability in Scotland are worried about losing their benefits if they are seen to be more physically active. With nearly 1 in 5 respondents doing no physical activity each week, yet 73% expressing a desire to do more, the results from the survey highlight concerns around the benefits system, rising living costs, public transport and more.

SDS is urging government, local authorities, health boards, education providers, leisure trusts and third-sector organisations to recognise the rights of people with a disability, as set out in Article 30 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), and to collaborate on systemic change.

Key actions called for include:

Plan to Include
Deliver an inclusive whole system approach
A benefits and social care system that equips individuals to be active
Champion intersectionality through a person-centred approach

More information about the Call to Action, can be found here.

View the key findings of the National Survey here.

A message from Maree Todd MSP, the Minister for Drug and Alcohol Policy and Sport, on the importance, impact and next steps of the National Survey –

SDS National Survey Key Findings graphic for theme one: physical activity and sports participation. Graphic contains text and icons for the following three statistics: almost 1 in 5 people with disabilities do zero days of physical activity, three quarters of participants said they would like to do more activity and walking/pushing, swimming and fitness are the most popular sports/activities.

SDS National Survey Key Findings graphic for theme two: cost of loving factors and benefits/social security barriers. Graphic contains text and icons for the following two statistics: 2 out of 5 people agree that they are worried their benefits will be taken away if they are seen to be more physically active, 1 out of 5 people know of someone who has had their benefits reduced because of being considered more active.

SDS National Survey Key Findings graphic for theme three: travel and urban versus rural. Graphic contains text and icons for the following three statistics: over 50% live outside of a city or large town, over 70% believe that public transport is not an acceptable alternative and 32% are Motability Scheme members.

SDS National Survey Key Findings graphic for theme four: personal and emotional factors. Graphic contains text and icons for the following four statistics: 95% of participants feel that taking part in sport and physical activity has benefits for their health and wellbeing, 67% Of participants would find it very hard to take part in sport or physical activity without the support of family and friends, 2 out of 5 participants are not confident to take part in sport or physical activity because of factors related to their disability or condition, 92% of participants believe that sport or physical activity IS for people with a disability or condition like theirs.

SDS National Survey Key Findings graphic for theme five: support with transitioning into activity. Graphic contains text and icons for the following two statistics: Less than half of participants have been recommended to take part in more sport and physical activity by a health or social worker and 68% of participants were not aware of the work of Scottish Disability Sport.

SDS National Survey Key Findings graphic for theme six: intersectionality. Graphic contains text and icons for the following two statistics: Over 80% of participant think their disability or health condition negatively impacts their involvement in sport and Disposable income, age, sex are all other characteristics that negatively impact their involvement in sport.