Disabled children’s sports and activities
Being active has a range of benefits for children physically, emotionally and socially. Engaging in games, sport and play supports children to feel included, building friendships, and celebrating what each child can do. Sports teach valuable skills around rules and turn taking and help children to maintain or build physical skills, balance and coordination whilst mixing with peers of all abilities, or honing skills alone. Activities can be adapted so every child can join in, in a way that works for them. This could be playing at home, trying something new, or joining a local group.
There are many inclusive and empowering opportunities to support disabled children to be active. Some activities focus on fun and wellbeing, while others help children build skills and try new challenges, often the first challenge can be taking the first step to be in the room. Support from charities, clubs and organisations to do this can be invaluable. Taster days are a great way to test how a child might feel about something new and meeting others.
Families can get help to find local activities, equipment, and funding support through their local children’s NHS and social services Information and advice is available from your local council and is often free to access on websites. Supporting families and care givers to connect children to sport and activity makes it easier for children to join in, stay active, grow in confidence, and enjoy being part of their community and find something of their own. This in turn may allow parents to take a break while children attend groups, or allow families to participate together bringing something new to family life.
Useful links and resources
National Disability Sports Organisations
- British Blind Sport
- CP Sport
- Dwarf Sports Association UK
- LimbPower
- Mencap Sport
- Special Olympics GB
- UK Deaf Sport
- WheelPower
Other useful information
- NHS Accessible Activities
- Scope: Sport for Disabled Children
- WellChild Inclusive Sport
- UK Sport
- Disability Grants for Sport
- Sport England Research
- Seashell Active
- Sense Sport Resources
- Get Kids Going
- Gympanzees Inclusive Activities
