Disability Sport

Disability Sport is an essential part of the work of Sport Hampshire & IOW. We aim to ensure that people with physical, sensory and learning difficulties are able to gain access to sport and physical activity across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Our Disability Sports Guide  2 MB provides information on almost 100 sports and activities in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight that are suitable for disabled people. If you are unsure what sport you would like to do, then have a look at our Find a Sport section to read a bit more about the various sports on offer. Many mainstream sports are now inclusive so even if it doesn’t appear to cater for disabled athletes, it is always worth contacting the National Governing Body for advice. If you would like a copy of the guide, or require it in an alternative format, for example larger text or braille, then please contact Peter Hull, Disability Sports Development Officer.

We publicise many events that are either inclusive or specifically for disabled athletes. For upcoming events, see the events calendar and search by both ‘disability sport’ and / or sport.

The Hampshire County Council's Short Breaks programme is designed to improve the lives of disabled children, young people and their families. This is heavily supported by local Bridging Workers. For more information about these events and activities, register with Parent Voice.

Many disabled people are able to take part in mainstream sport and we help sports clubs, sports facilities, National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and even schools, to become more inclusive in their approach to disability and provide guidance on training and coaching.

Coach education, confidence and expertise is a significant factor in sport and physical activity participation rates amongst people with disabilities.

Courses designed specifically to challenge ways of thinking, and demonstrate alternative approaches to coaching, are provided by a variety of partners including NGBs, the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) and the Calvert Trust.

A sport or activity can be made more accessible by simply changing the way a session is delivered e.g. by using different equipment, accessing different environment or by adapting the rules. Take a look at the EFDS Inclusion Club Hub which is designed to help you assess your club is and recommend ways in which you can improve and expand your clubs inclusiveness.

If you are a coach and are interested in making your sessions more inclusive, take a look at the courses we have on offer. You can find out more by contacting Coaching Hampshire & IOW - Sport Hampshire & IOW's dedicated coaching team. The website has details of coaching courses and generic courses designed to help improve your coaching knowledge and techniques. The team can be contacted on 01962 846818 or email info@coachinghampshireiow.co.uk

There are a number of charities and organisations that are committed to helping and developing disability sports across the country. Take a look at some of the organisations listed below:

• Cauldwell Children - provides a wide range of support services, equipment and therapies for disabled children

• Get Kids Going! - is a national charity that aims to give disabled children and young people the opportunity to participate in sport

• Motivation - provides high quality, low cost wheelchairs, including sports wheelchairs, to people all over the world

• The Community Sports Foundation - offers funding and support for all and welcomes applications from projects that help disabled children and young people

• The Lord's Taverners - exists to enhance the prospects of disadvantaged and disabled young people using cricket and other sports to engage with them

• The Richard Overall Trust - offers financial support to help young disabled people progress and enjoy their chosen sport

• Whizz-Kidz - offer mobility equipment and skills to help disabled children live active lives with opportunities to have fun.

London 2012 very effectively profiled what sporting talent the world, Great Britain and Hampshire has to offer. In similar terms the Paralympics then raised the profile of elite disability sport.

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight had 10 athletes representing ParalympicsGB. For them to achieve this their talent will have been identified. Sport Hampshire & IOW supports this process by working with a variety of partners including NGBs and the EFDS and utilising national talent identification programmes, like Sport England's Playground to Podium. Once talented athletes have been identified the appropriate sports governing body is informed and they are directed to an appropriate club and Parasport.

When identifying potential sporting talent the fundamental difference between mainstream and disability sport is a classification system, which is the appropriate grouping of athletes ensuring they compete on a level playing field. For further details visit the Parasport website. Parasport's Self Assessment Wizard  allows you to enter your disability and find sports suitable for you to participate in.