By William Moncrieff, Communications Apprentice

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On World Radio Day (13th February) SDS celebrates the essential service that radio stations provide globally, particularly to the blind and partially sighted community.

One of these fantastic radio stations is The Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) and their station Connect radio (RNIB Connect). They explain that: “RNIB Connect started in 2003 and we have just finished celebrating our 20th anniversary, with an aim to provide an entertaining range of essential information in an easily accessible format to our listeners.”

RNIB Connect is broadcast, “to an audience of blind and partially sighted people across the UK, on Freeview 730”.

The Connect radio team believe that their services are relevant and accurate by providing insight from first hand knowledge and experience: “Our presenters are blind or partially sighted”  and they talk, “to dozens of people from the sight loss community each week, ensuring our content is informed by lived experience”.

In a fast-paced, digital world, radio remains relevant and plays a significant role in society.

“Connect Radio provides an important and entertaining service to a community which can be hard to reach, is potentially isolated and is traditionally under serviced with information and opportunities”.

The Team at Connect Radio believe that they offer a supportive service to members of their targeted community: “People who have sight loss, particularly those who have recently lost some or all of their sight, often have considerable problems accessing important information both about their condition and in life more generally. In addition, the stereotypes that exist in society about what people with sight loss can do and more acutely the assumptions of what they can’t”.

They continued to say, “It’s impossible to overstate the significance of hearing from other people who are going through similar experiences and to know, you are not alone”.

In being inclusive, “RNIB Connect Radio provides blind and partially sighted people with a platform to share their stories, where they can talk about their challenges but also share their general experiences, aspirations and life hacks with other listeners”.

“RNIB Connect Radio is a crucial tool in the RNIB’s armoury of supporting blind and partially sighted people and offers an easily accessible window into all types of information, services, opportunities and support”, they said.

Tune in to the RNIB Connect Radio at 730 Freeview or via their website for international listening. 

By Grace | Member of the 2023-2026 Young Persons Sport Panel

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This past weekend (10th – 11th February) was the first residential for the 2023-2026 YPSP (Young Persons Sport Panel) cohort. In this day and age, with so many online meetings, it was also one of the first times many of us had met in-person.

The first thing we did when we all arrived to Inverclyde was a SAMH workshop with Kirsty and Robert. This got a lot of interesting conversations going; our panel is really good at being open and honest, which is such a valuable skill for us all to have.

The peer mentors then ran their icebreaker – based off the TV gameshow, The Cube. This was our first real chance to mingle and have a laugh with our fellow panel members. Thankfully there were no arguments over the ridiculously hard tasks, though we did all enjoy with SDS staff struggling more than us! Later on, the peer mentors also talked to us about their experiences of being on the previous panels. I found this really beneficial, and it made me excited for the next 2 years. We heard all about the opportunities we will be given, and the changes we can make to our communities.

We then went around in groups and reviewed Inverclyde National Sports Centre for Euan’s Guide. Whilst we had our evaluating hats on, it was also good to get moving and get a sense of where we will be staying. Most of us had a very positive first impression of Inverclyde. From welcoming staff to smooth floors and lift access (great for wheelchair users) and floor to ceiling windows creating a spacious atmosphere, with lovely views to the surrounding Largs nature, Inverclyde earned a full five stars from us!

From there we had a wee break to play Boccia. Being the most inclusive sport, this was the perfect choice for the YPSP.

It was then time to venture out to the beach and (more importantly) Tony Macaroni’s and ice cream at Nardini’s. A residential tradition for SDS, this provided yet another opportunity to chat to some new friends and to refuel after our busy day.

Then came this most exciting activity – trampolining! If asked, majority would say this was be the highlight of the residential! There was lots of jumping, leaping and relaxing. Also a lot of falling over and flailing about in foam pits; not the best for our athletes with competition season coming up!

After some rest and recuperation in our rooms for the night, it was time for day two. After catching up over breakfast, we split into our sub-groups and brainstormed some ideas for 2024. I am really excited about our upcoming plans and seeing just how far we can go.

After a short break, William and Emma delivered some social media and content training. With social media being such a big deal these days, it was great to learn about this useful tool. It was especially helpful to learn about how you can make social media more accessible through alt (alternative) text and other practices.

We finished off the day with some First Aid training from Kevin. We covered CPR, defibrillators, recovery position, bandaging wounds and epi pens. Everybody got stuck in and enjoyed themselves. What great skills these are for us to take into the future, especially in a sporting environment.

A Quick Recap of some of January’s Highlights

By Emma Logan, Communications Manager

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It is time for January to bow out, as February waits in the wings. Here’s a quick recap of some of January’s top moments. 

Sport –  

There was a lot to cheer about in January as sporting events took off.  

Gordon Reid made headlines in Australia as he won his fifth consecutive men’s wheelchair tennis doubles title with teammate, Alfie Hewett.  More here.

Also representing Scotland on the court in Australia, was Young Persons Sport Panel member, Aidan Moody. Moody took part in the AOPWII championships and put in an ace performance, leaving Melbourne with a runners-up trophy from the double’s tournament. Stay tuned for the full review. 

Court action continued in Midlothian as Dalkeith School hosted the National Badminton Championships. A full review will be made available soon on Badminton Scotland Disability’s social media.  

Falling on the same Saturday (27th) was British Blind Sport’s ‘Have a Go’ day, at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow. Participants were given the opportunity to try out judo, athletics, curling, tennis and goalball.  

 

Education –  

SDS has been working with several Scottish Governing Bodies and organisations, to put inclusivity at the heart of their activities. This includes (but is not limited to), Pickleball Scotland and Cricket Scotland who are working in partnership with SDS to embed inclusive practice and DIT (Disability Inclusion Training) in certain courses and workshops.  

SDS is also supporting Scottish Gymnastics to embed inclusion into their new Baby Gym course. 

SDS has made good progress with the marking instructions for Nat 5 PE Boccia performance. Once completed, it will enable those with more severe physical disabilities to access qualification level PE. SDS hopes to repeat this procedure with Higher PE in due course. 

A benchmarking tool that could be used by SGBs to measure their impact in disability sport was under discussion at the Disability Sports Coaching and Education Group: Scotland meeting, which SDS hosted. Scottish Students Sport (SSS), sportscotland, Scottish Sports Association (SSA), Scottish Athletics and Scottish Sports Futures (SSF) were all present.  

Health –  

GOGA Tayside’s women’s Yoga class continues to gain popularity in 2024.  

The sessions provide a safe and fully inclusive environment for women to participate in physical activity regardless of age, ability, religion, culture and confidence.  

GOGA (Get Out Get Active) provides opportunities for everyone to explore how physical activity can work for them. You can find out more about GOGA’s yoga classes here and if you have any questions, you can contact GOGA here.  

By LTA | Tennis for Britain

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Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid won their fifth successive Australian Open men’s wheelchair doubles title on Friday (26th) as Andy Lapthorne completed another tremendous day for British wheelchair tennis and players supported by the LTA’s Elite Wheelchair Programme as he partnered the USA’s David Wagner to their fifth Australian Open quad doubles title in 10 years.

Both partnerships had to come through two matches in a day after Thursday’s rain in Melbourne caused their semi-finals to be postponed, with Hewett and Reid defeating Daisuke Arai and Takashi Sanada 6-3, 6-3 in the second successive Australian Open semi-final between the two pairings.

The men’s doubles title decider saw the record-breaking partnership of Hewett and Reid contest their 17th final in 18 Grand Slams as they took on Takuya Miki and Tokito Oda, the same Japanese partnership they beat in three sets  in front of 10,000 fans in the 2023 Wimbledon final. But this time Hewett and Reid completed victory in straight sets, wrapping up their 19th Grand Slam title together 6-3, 6-2.

Hewett, who will now play Oda in Saturday’s men’s singles final, said: “Some of the points in that match really displayed the best of wheelchair tennis. The best bit about it is you feel the love and the excitement from the crowd as well. Like, you can tell they’re getting into the match.”

With the Brits supported by many of their regular teams of supporters from Norfolk and Scotland as they earned their two victories on Margaret Court Arena and Kia Arena, Reid added:

“There were some relatives and some Scots out there. Some of them have just flown over yesterday for this match. Obviously it was great to have them there. My parents are out here as well. It was my dad’s first time at the Australian Open. Hopefully he enjoyed himself today and enjoyed that match.”

Lapthorne’s victory alongside Wagner in the quad doubles final was especially poignant after he missed an uncle’s funeral during his bid for a 17th career Grand Slam title and his ninth Grand Slam title alongside Wagner.

The Anglo-American duo beat second seeds Australian Heath Davidson and Canada’s Robert Shaw for just the second time in six matches as they took their semi-final 6-3, 6-2 before later returning to Margaret Court Arena to beat South Africa’s Donald Ramphadi and Guy Sasson of Israel 6-4, 3-6, (10-2).

Lapthorne said:

“It’s 10 years this week since we one our first one and we’ve somehow managed to do it again, so big thanks to David. I lost my uncle about three or four days before I came out here, so that one’s for him.  

“(During the match) I played probably one of the best 10-15 minutes of tennis that I’ve ever played at a Grand Slam, in terms of just not missing a ball and feeling really confident.”

With the annual increase of hate crimes towards people with a disability, UNESCO advocates “learning for lasting peace”. 

 By Emma Logan | Communications Manager 

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On International Day of Education, Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) joins UNESCO in their campaign for “learning for lasting peace”, dedicating this year’s global day to highlighting the crucial role education plays in countering hate speech.  

Education can play a key role in raising awareness about disability whilst challenging misconceptions and stereotypes to create a more inclusive and safe society. However, recent years have seen people with a disability living in the UK experiencing an increase in hate crimes, highlighting the need for further societal education.  

According to the COPFS’ Hate Crime in Scotland 2022-23 report, “In 2022-23, 722 charges were reported with an aggravation of prejudice relating to disability, 3% more than in 2021-22.” 

The Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees, Emma Roddick MSP, said: “The Scottish Government is clear that discrimination or prejudice of any kind is unacceptable and must be addressed quickly whenever it arises. 

“The Scottish Government is committed to building a Scotland where everyone lives free from hatred and prejudice, and where our communities are empowered, inclusive and safe.” 

 COPFS’ report also states that the increase of charges is: “the highest number of charges reported since the legislation creating this aggravation came into force in 2010 and follows an increase of over 50% in the number of charges reported in 2021-22 compared to 2020-21.” 

Former Young Person’s Sport Panel and Para athlete, Stefan Hoggan-Radu, explained how bullying at school influenced his decision to become a politician, “I hated the injustice, especially around disabled people and I felt like we weren’t represented properly. I got bullied a lot in school and I wanted to make a difference,” said Hoggan-Radu.  

The current Councillor for Cupar continued to say, “I wanted to use that [public speaking skills] to help other people and try and stop bullying and stop injustice.”  

To combat the increase of hate crimes throughout the UK, the Scottish Government launched the Hate Crime Strategy Delivery Plan in November 2023.  

Emma Roddick MSP said that the plan, “sets out our immediate actions over the next two years in support of Scotland’s Hate Crime Strategy. Importantly, it was informed by communities with lived experience of hate crime, including disabled people”. 

 

Find out more about UNESCO’s International Day of Education, along with resources and social media post content here.

COPFS’ Hate Crime in Scotland 2023-24 report will be published in June 2024. 

 

Kallow is striving to get more people active throughout 2024.

New Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) team member comes with years of experience and fresh ideas.

By William Moncrieff, Communications Apprentice

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Helen Kallow joined the SDS team in September of 2023, taking up the role of East Regional Manager which covers the areas of Edinburgh, Lothian and the Borders. This role includes delivering Para sport sessions, working alongside both member branches (Borders and Lothian Disability Sport) and communicating with active schools’ coordinators to ensure that there is a range of accessible activities being delivered. Kallow will also be responsible for working with healthcare professionals to act on referrals, which plays a significant role in the rehabilitation pathway.

Kallow has experience in multiple areas of the disability sport sector, including Riding for the Disabled and Scottish Curling. This position at SDS initially caught her interest as a great opportunity to, “capitalise on the knowledge and experiences that I had, along with the contacts”.

Kallow also described that being able to, “make more opportunities available through working with a wide range of clubs and coaches”, was a key factor to her applying.

One of the key events that Kallow will organise and run is the East of Scotland’s Parasport Festival. Parasport Festivals take place across Scotland, on an annual basis. They provide children and young people with a physical, vision and hearing impairment the opportunity to try a diverse variety of sports in a safe place. You can find out more about Parasport Festivals here and sign up for your region’s event (including the East regional Parasport festival), here.

Kallow is no stranger to SDS’ Parasport Festivals, had previous experience of the festival through her time with Scottish Curling.

The event is being held on Tuesday 19th March at Winchburgh Academy, West Lothian. Kallow said that Parasport festivals are a, “great opportunity to try new sports, meet other young people and hear about the opportunities available for getting active”.

Outside the Parasport Festivals, she is looking forward to attending events and connecting with participants.

“I went to a national swimming event last November. It was fantastic to see so many participants really enjoying themselves”, said Kallow who continued to say that, “being able to see clubs thriving”, is a huge motivational factor in her work.

Covering such a large region is challenges and would not be possible without the support of volunteers.

Kallow said: “There is an amazing group of volunteers in the branches and in the clubs. They do a fantastic job at providing these opportunities”. Through the dedication of volunteers, they’re able to break down this geographical barrier and continue the region’s development.

The Summer Paralympic Games are fast approaching, being held between 28th August and 8th September in Paris. Kallow explained that, “it is just such an opportunity, for young and older people with a disability, to see people just like them on the international stage”.

Kallow went on to say, “if there was to be a future Paralympian come out of the East region as a result of this year’s Paralympics, that would be amazing”.

Kallow also believes that a key message the Games promote is, “more people, more active. You know, if it encourages more people to take that first step to become more active, I think that will be a great success”.

This ties into her goal for 2024, being to get, “more people, having more fun, being more active”.

With less than two years to go until the next Winter Paralympics in Milan Cortina 2026, British Curling have launched its first ever Paralympic Recruitment Campaign focusing solely on female recruitment UK wide.

‘Female Focus’ is part of the ongoing Paralympic Recruitment Campaign: ‘It’s Time to Deliver – Push Yourself’. This follows the Beijing 2022 Paralympics, aimed at increasing the number of participants from across the UK on the GB Paralympic curling squad.

Wheelchair Curling requires at least one female athlete in every Paralympic curling team and with the introduction of Mixed Doubles – a discipline that requires an athlete from both genders – in the Milan Cortina 2026 programme, the sport has become more inclusive than ever before with more opportunities for athletes to get involved at the highest level of the game.

The Female Focus campaign is part of the long-term Paralympic Pathway Strategy, offering newcomers to the game the opportunity to progress as far as their potential and ambition may take them, with the latest drive encouraging more women and girls into the game to be considered for squad inclusion in the build up to Milan Cortina and beyond.

A Female Focus Wheelchair Curling Recruitment Day will take place next month at the National Curling Academy in Stirling on Friday 9^th February, providing female wheelchair users aged 16+ from across the UK an on-ice taster session, as well as off-ice coaching in a games hall setting, utilising FloorCurl equipment.

The first event of its kind organised by British Curling Paralympic Pathway Manager Cheryl Lappin, is supported by our partners at UK Sport, the British Paralympic Association, Scottish Curling, the Scottish Wheelchair Curling Association and the English Curling Association.

“This event is the perfect building block for girls and women aged 16+ who are keen to try wheelchair curling in a relaxed, supportive and inclusive environment,” said Lappin.

“No experience is required, only a drive to be committed, passionate and to develop their talent within the sport of wheelchair curling.

“Follow up will include signposting opportunities onto Wheelchair Curling Clubs across the UK and for those who show talent, an opportunity to progress onto the next stage of the British Curling Paralympic Performance Pathway. I would urge any interested females to get in touch.”

To register your interest please scan the QR code below or visit: https://forms.office.com/e/s3NG0hRaUf or contact Cheryl for further details: Cheryl.Lappin@britishcurling.org.uk

 

A free multi-sports day dedicated to blind and partially sighted people comes to Glasgow’s Emirates Arena this month.

 

The UK’s leading sporting charity for blind and partially sighted people, British Blind Sport, is hosting a ‘Have A Go’ Day at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena on Saturday, January 27 between 10am and 3pm where visitors can try out a range of sports – including athletics, judo, tennis and goalball, to help the city break down sporting barriers that are driving high levels of inactivity in its sight loss community.

The session – which is also being supported by Scottish Disability Sport – is open to adults and children of all abilities and is aimed at breaking down barriers to exercise by enabling people to try out the sports in a relaxed environment.

There are currently more than 17,000 people in Glasgow living with sight loss, according to research from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), but only 100 of those are registered with British Blind Sport, which tracks engagement with sport and exercise.

Vicky Cook, Participation Officer at British Blind Sport, said: “Our taster sessions have a crucial role to play in overcoming the common misconception among those with sight loss that sport and exercise isn’t for them – either because they aren’t aware of what’s available in their area, have a lack of confidence or due to other barriers such as cost and transport.”

For more information and to register, go to: https://buff.ly/48pM09I