How do we make sport and recreation more accessible for disabled people?

The House of Lords Committee on Sport and Recreation will this week take evidence on the accessibility of sport and physical recreation for people with disabilities.

The Committee will hear evidence from Activity Alliance, Mencap and WheelPower as it explores why people with disabilities or long-term health conditions are twice as likely to be physically inactive than the wider population. The Committee will explore accessibility of sports facilities and opportunities, as well representation of disabled people in leadership positions in sport and sports governing bodies.

The evidence session will start at 3:30pm on Wednesday 24 March. The witnesses will be:

• Barry Horne, Chief Executive, Activity Alliance

• Matthew Maguire, National Sport Manager, Mencap

• Martin McElhatton OBE, Chief Executive, WheelPower

Issues the session will cover include:

• The Government’s record in getting disabled people and those with long-term health conditions leading a healthy and active lifestyle.
  
• The barriers to engaging disabled people in sport and recreation and how they can be overcome.
  
• Whether duty of care and safeguarding requirements in sport are fit for purpose for disabled people.
  
• Efforts to get more disabled people in positions of power and decision-making in national sports governing bodies.
  
• The relationship between disability sports organisations and other bodies delivering sport and recreation for disabled people, and with national sports governing bodies.