Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, is supporting a campaign to
battle discrimination against people with disabilities within
physical education lessons.
The campaign is being launched by Ruby Bishop, a former student
of Sprowston Community Academy who is also 8th in the world for
girl’s wheelchair tennis and hopes to compete in the Paralympics.
Ruby, 17, has faced many challenges throughout her school life,
due to her disabilities which include cerebral palsy, a mild
visual impairment, dyslexia and CRPS. Despite these barriers Ruby
is an assistant coach at Tennis Able and volunteers with the
Community Sports Foundation.
Ruby has produced a booklet too, with resources to help teachers
include those with disabilities in Physical Education lessons.
has recently written to all headteachers in Norwich
North and included a copy of the booklet in her regular update.
Commenting, Ruby Bishop said “This campaign means a lot to me.
Sport has given me a sense of purpose, however I know it can
still be difficult for disabled students to be included in PE
lessons from experience. I would hate anyone to feel the way,
which is why I’m really happy that Chloe has decided to back my
campaign and send the booklet to school’s. I hope the school’s
acknowledge and use the booklet the best way they can so that no
is left out. Physical educational lessons could be the first
experience a disabled student has with sport don’t let it be a
negative one!”
said “Ruby's campaign highlights a really important
issue - no one should be left out from reaching their full
potential. As a local MP I am so proud for Ruby as she leads this
campaign to challenge, enable and include people with physical
disabilities in whatever sport they choose to pursue. In
Parliament, Ruby's campaign coincides with the launch of the
National Disability Strategy which will support people with
disabilities in all aspects and phases of life, including sport.
So I'm fully behind Ruby's campaign to battle against
discrimination in sport and PE lessons”
