Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) met with MSPs to highlight the urgency of creating a fully inclusive Scotland at their Call to Action Photocall, hosted at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 20th November.  

SDS’s four-point Call to Action asks for organisations across Scotland to take urgent action to remove the significant barriers faced by people with a disability in accessing sport and physical activity. It follows the publication of a new national survey by SDS, which highlights the ongoing inequalities experienced by people with a disability and the impact this has on their quality of life.   

First Minister, John Swinney said: “It’s absolutely vital that we encourage more to participate in sport and there are so many ways in which we can make that possible. We’ve had a visit from some great individuals who are taking forward that work within our communities and I would encourage more to do so.”  

The national survey conducted in partnership with Queen Margaret University Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research (CHEARR) revealed that 40% of people with a disability in Scotland are worried about losing their benefits if they are seen to be more physically active. 

Paris 2024 Paralympic gold medallist, Stephen McGuire (boccia), Great Britain’s wheelchair rugby athlete, Gemma Lumsdaine and multi-Para athlete, Samantha Gough, attended the photocall to advocate for inclusion through their perspective of lived experiences.  

Gemma, who is also Sported’s EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) Lead, commented on the day: “I think it’s really important that MSPs hear first-hand from people with lived experience around their experiences of topics within the Call to Action.  

“This brings the need to life and also supports individuals to understand how they can make impactful change at Government level.”  

With nearly one in five respondents doing no physical activity each week, yet 73% expressing a desire to do more, the results from the survey highlight concerns around the benefits system, rising living costs, public transport and more.     

Maree Todd MSP (Minister for Drug & Alcohol Policy and Sport) pledged her support: “I’m supporting the Scottish Disability Sport Call to Action because I’m someone who really believes in the power of sport to change people’s lives and I want absolutely everyone in Scotland to be able to experience that.” 

Jeremy Balfour, MSP for Lothian, has been a valuable supporter of the Call to Action. He said: “Sport is for everybody and we should get rid of all barriers to allow everybody to participate, to watch, to enjoy sport and I hope the campaign is completely successful.” 

SDS is indebted to Jeremy Balfour MSP for his support in arranging the Photocall. 

SDS CEO, Gavin Macleod said: “It’s vital that we continue to remind those in Government who can implement change why an inclusive Scotland benefits all. 

“Sport and physical activity is something most people take for granted yet a quarter of the population face several barriers to accessing it. 

“This four-point Call to Action lays out how organisations around Scotland can adapt their policies and strategies to lead on inclusive practice within the UK.” 

The four-point Call to Action outlines the necessary steps to creating a more inclusive and active Scotland that benefits all –  

Plan to Include –  

• Reduce inequalities for people with disabilities through inclusive strategy, policy, development and proportionate funding, 

• Invest in systemic change to remove barriers to accessible travel, affordable and accessible facilities and inclusive spaces. 

Deliver an inclusive whole system approach –  

• Every person with a disability has the right to take part in quality inclusive physical activity, physical education and sport. 

• A health and social care system that prescribes appropriate physical activity opportunities at every stage of the individual’s pathway. 

A benefits and social care system that equips individuals to be active  

• Provide safeguards to reassure people with disabilities that being active will not negatively impact any government financial assistance. 

• Those in receipt of Self-Directed Support in Scotland should be able and encouraged to use their budget to engage in physical activity and sport. 

Champion intersectionality through a person-centred approach 

• Collaborate with partners across sectors to champion intersectionality within policy, strategy and development.  

• Ensure the needs of people with disabilities with intersecting identities are considered and met by codesign with those with lived experience. 

 

Get involved and advocate for inclusion in Scotland by joining the conversation throughout Scottish Disability Sport Week (SDSW), next week (Monday 24th to Sunday 30th November).  

SDSW is a Nationwide celebration of getting active and involved in disability sport in Scotland. The campaign aims to highlight and promote the opportunities and the impact physical activity can have on individuals, communities, clubs and society.    

The week-long campaign aims to encourage people with disabilities to improve their wellbeing by being more physically active, in a way that suits them and it concludes just a few days ahead of the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with a Disability on the Wednesday 3rd December.   

More information can be found on the SDS website, including how you can participate in the conversation, and via the Briefing Paper.