Disability Sport
Everybody should have the opportunity to participate in sport, whatever his or her ability. At North Yorkshire Sport we are dedicated to improving the access to sport and physical activity for all disabled people within North Yorkshire.
Facilitated through the Equality Standard, North Yorkshire Sport is working with partners to create an equitable sporting environment for all its members. Access to facilities and services are at the forefront, in addition to the access to quality coaches and a safe environment. In conjunction with this North Yorkshire Sport appreciate that Sport is also a tool that can unite communities, through the Equality Standard our aim is to help combat prejudice and discrimination that many disabled people experience.
The School Sports Partnerships are a key in this progression, as we believe that all children should have access to physical education; disability should not be a barrier to inclusion in sport programmes. The links between education and the community will not only support the development of disability sports, but will aim to develop some truly fantastic athletes, coaches and volunteers for the London 2012 Paralympics.
Playground to Podium
The program looks at a Performance Pathway for Disabled athletes to the London 2012 Games. Research has found that not enough athletes are coming up from local or regional based competitions to engage with performance environments, clubs and squads. Also a significant level of adults who come into disability late in life, are not being provided with information that would enable them to participate in sport.
Following national consultation with a wide range of partners and a review of existing programmes and initiatives, a framework has been developed to enhance existing player pathways and provide increased opportunities in sport for disabled participants.
The Framework incorporates pathways for disability sport from Schools (schools sports partnerships and specialist schools) led by Youth Sport Trust and the Community (after schools clubs, Higher Education & Further Education and adult identification through health related networks) led by Sport England through the County Sports Partnerships.
Linking into this framework are the player / performance pathways from National Governing Bodies of sport, providing performance environments and high quality coaching for identified talented participants to enter County, Regional and National squads through the National Competition Framework delivered in conjunction with UK Sport.
Please click here to view the “Playground To Podium” framework
Review of Playground to Podium Workshop held at Next Generation in York on 28th February
For further details on “Playground To Podium” please contact:
Paul Downes
Building Capacity Officer
North Yorkshire Sport
Paul.downes@harrogate.gov.uk
Telephone Number: 01423 556782
The Disability Discrimination Act
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) aims to end the discrimination which many disabled people face, giving disabled people the same rights to sport facilities and services. The DDA states that it is against the law for schools and facilities to discriminate against a child for a reason related to their disability, as well as adults.
Through the Equality Standard, North Yorkshire Sport will constantly improve its provisions for disabled people in conjunction with the guidelines stated in the DDA.
The English federation of Disability Sport
The English federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) is an organization dedicated to Disability Sport. Their aim is to be the united voice of disability sport seeking to promote inclusion and achieve equality of sporting opportunities for disabled people.
North Yorkshire Sport hope to develop relationships with the EFDS and other key institutions to improve the sporting environment for disabled people so they may access excellent amenities within their own community.
Further information about the English Federation of Disability Sport can be found at its website: www.efds.net