London Sport releases toolkit to help create new Disability Networks

A new toolkit to guide the development of Disability Networks supporting increased levels of physical activity and move the city closer to an Active Inclusive Capital has been published by London Sport.

The Developing Disability Networks Toolkit outlines the support available from London Sport as the organisation continues efforts to support deaf and disabled Londoners be physically active as outlined in our An Active Inclusive Capital strategy.

The toolkit explains the benefits of creating a network, key recommendations and includes a range of useful templates.

The networks, already successfully set up with London Sport support in Barnet, Lambeth and Southwark amongst others, bring like-minded stakeholders together to enable deaf and disabled Londoners to be more active.

Despite a 2.1% rise in the number of deaf and disabled adults considered active in the UK, figures from Sport England still show though that, as a group, they’re twice as likely to be inactive as non-disabled people.

Disability Networks offer boroughs the opportunity to develop better community and social infrastructure to ensure that activity better meets the needs of deaf and disabled people across the capital.

The networks aim to bring together a diverse membership to share learning and expertise, open a range of funding opportunities, and create influence on borough-wide physical activity and sport strategies.

Alex Gibbons, London Sport’s Specialist Advisor for Disability, said:

“The development of borough Disability Networks is a priority for London Sport in the coming year and I know this toolkit will prove to be a vital component of this in the long-term.

“We will continue to review and adapt the resource over time so that it remains up-to-date and relevant for all partner organisations based upon their own experiences.

“Deaf and disabled Londoners remain significantly less active than their non-disabled counterparts and expect our new toolkit to be a key part of countering this inequality.”

Download the Developing Disability Networks Toolkit here.