Disability Sport
This document attempts to collate the various known information related to Disability and Special Needs Sport within the Basingstoke & Deane area. Contact Governing Bodies of Sport, Sport England, Energise Me Hampshire or Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council for additional information. Last Updated 06th June 2021
National Disability Contacts
BBC Get Inspired – How to get into Disability Sport activities
This site has very useful information regarding Sport England’s work nationally and locally in relation to disability sport. In addition, information regarding working with children and young people, Facilities and Planning, Equality and Diversity, Disabilities plus Governance.
English Federation of Disabled Sport
There are around 11 million disabled people in the UK. Only two in ten disabled people in England are currently active. The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) was established in September 1998 as the national body and charity dedicated to disabled people in sport throughout England. They work closely with a number of key partners to improve and increase the opportunities offered, ensuring disabled people have a memorable experience of sport and physical activity. Partners include the National Disability Sport Organisations and National Governing Bodies of sport.
The website has links to useful resources and the opportunity to sign up to a regular E-Newsletter
Special Olympics GB - Involvement in sport builds confidence, skill and determination. Sports training enhances focus and teaches participants important lessons about perseverance, endurance and setting goals. For Special Olympics athletes, participation also provides a gateway to empowerment, competence, acceptance and joy. Special Olympics GB works in partnership with other charities, disability sports organisations and National Governing Bodies in order to provide as many sporting opportunities as possible. They offer 28 different individual and team sports that provide meaningful training and competition opportunities for people with intellectual (learning) disabilities.
Active Nation The health and wellbeing benefits of exercise are every bit as vital for disabled people – maybe more so. It can boost mood, enhance motor skills, help tackle isolation and drive confidence as barriers melt away and boundaries are pushed. But even in the UK it can be tough for people with disabilities to get active. Tragically, people with disabilities are twice as likely to be inactive. Disability is about much more than physical and mental difference. It’s about the limits everyday life imposes. It’s about what people think disabled people can do. And these can change. Nor is it a minority issue, look at the stats: in the UK, 9.4 million people have a long-standing limiting disability: that’s nearly one in five of us. The older we get, the more likely we are to be disabled: a staggering 40 per cent of disabled people are over 65.
Activity Alliance - National charity and leading voice for disabled people in sport and activity
British Wheelchair Sport - (Wheelpower) – Find a sport or activity
Basingstoke Disability Contacts
Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council - Disabled Sport Interaction
The Health & Well-Being team within Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council work with the County Sports Partnership and Parent Voice organisation in relation to Disabled Sporting opportunities.
Basingstoke & District Disability Forum
The Disability Forum was launched in November 2008 following consultation with local disabled people, carers and disability organisations. There was overwhelming support for a Disability Forum that would represent disabled people and carers and act as a bridge between local disabled people and statutory organisations. Please contact the Co-ordinator if you have any concerns, need information or would like to join the Forum. Currently membership of the Forum is free.
Hampshire Disability Sports Guide 2013 – Most recent guide for Disability Sport in Hampshire
Basingstoke & Deane Disability Signpost Service
Basingstoke and District Disability Forum is pleased to announce that they are offering a new Disability Signpost Service that will help guide disabled people and their carers, friends and family to the right source of information and advice. Information on a wide range of topics including transport, benefits, housing and volunteering will be available.
Listings of local Disability & Special Needs Sporting Opportunities
Step by step guide to best describe your impairment which will provide a list of sports that you can play and links to learn more. You can then select ‘Find a Club’ to see where you can try these sports.
Lord Taverners - Giving Young people a sporting chance
Lord Taverners support sporting and recreational activities for young people with disabilities and special needs:
- Supplying specially adapted minibuses and sports wheelchairs, giving young people vital transportation and access to sport and recreation
- Creating new pathways for their participation, development and competition in sport
- Providing play, sports and sensory equipment
Basingstoke & Deane Disability or Special Need schools
Saxon Wood School is a Special Basingstoke School for children with Physical Disabilities and Complex Medical Needs, catering for up to 35 children. Staff at Saxon Wood work hard to provide a caring yet stimulating and challenging environment for children.
Dove House Academy serve the community of Basingstoke & Deane and meet the special educational needs of children with learning difficulties.
Maple Ridge School is a primary special school for children with Moderate Learning Difficulties. All the children have a statement of special educational needs and about 75% of the children are on the Autistic Spectrum.
Funding Opportunities for Disability & Special Needs Sporting Organisations
Disability Grants Available for Sport
List of grants available for Disability sport initiatives with the option to subscribe to updates.
Special Needs and Disability Information
Kid Companions - Children with special needs
Useful information regarding the issues associated with special needs children.
Get Active - Site allowing FREE promotion of club activities online
https://www.andovermind.org.uk/maintain-well-being/ - Walking opportunities
Local clubs cater for Disabilities are Shin Gi Tai Martial Arts / Basingstoke Gymnastics / Bluefins Swimming and others including Dance, Cycling, Athletics etc and maybe Volunteer roles within each