Activity Alliance 2024 Annual Disability and Activity Survey

Research released this week by the Activity Alliance – the national charity for disabled people in sport and activity – shows disabled people are still being left behind when it comes to access to sport and physical activity. 

More than three quarters of disabled people in the Alliance’s Annual Disability and Activity Survey 2023-24 expressed a desire to be more active – but also cited significant barriers around equal access to sport and facilities.

Key findings from the report:

• 43% of disabled people feel they have the chance to be as active as they desire, compared to 69% of non-disabled people. Disabled women are more likely feel the disparity in perceived opportunity compared to disabled men (39% vs 48%) 
• Six in ten (59%) say they rely on their benefits or financial assistance to be active. Around two-fifths (38%) of disabled people say that a fear of their benefits or financial assistance being taken away prevents them from trying to be more active. 
• Disabled people are most likely to say they prefer being active in outdoor spaces like parks, countryside, or woodland compared to other locations. Less than half (44%) of disabled people say it’s easy for them to physically access outdoor spaces (vs 78% of non-disabled people).
• Disabled people are significantly less likely to report high satisfaction with their life, happiness and feelings of worthwhileness compared to non-disabled people. 
• Among those who said they feel lonely sometimes, often, or always, two-thirds agreed that being active could help them feel less lonely (66%).
• Ethnically diverse disabled people are more likely to say they often or always felt lonely (35% vs 19%).
• Disabled people are less than half as likely to ‘see people like them’ playing, working, and volunteering in sport and physical activity.

RYA Sailability Manager Joff McGill commented: “The Together on Water strategy outlines the RYA’s vision of creating a connected, inspired and inclusive boating community, and we are absolutely committed to breaking down barriers and ensuring that the right environments and opportunities exist for more people with disabilities to get afloat more often.

“The Activity Alliance’s research backs up our own experiences in that we know our participants gain not only physical benefits from getting on the water, but also increase their overall wellbeing through accessing blue spaces, learning new skills and creating meaningful connections with others.”

Joff continued: “It's clear that the sport and physical activity sector as a whole needs to do more to provide welcoming and inclusive opportunities for disabled people and we will continue to play our part in broadening access.”

Advice and guidance for participants looking for opportunities, or for clubs and centres interested in finding out more about running accessible activity, can be found on the RYA Sailability web pages.