The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS), in partnership with Big Voice Communications, has launched a new guide to help sport and physical activity providers reach a wider audience – including more disabled people.
In 2012, EFDS research on barriers to participation showed communication as something which can enhance experiences or restrict disabled people from being active.
Although the proportion of disabled people who are playing sport once a week has gone up slightly since then, disabled people are still half as likely to be taking part in sport as non-disabled people (18.5% compared to 39.2%).
This new guide aims to address the main communication barriers that many people experience in sport and physical activity.
It provides essential guidance on planning, terminology and language, explains the purpose of accessible formats and shows how providers can get the best from their communications.
The way in which disabled people access communications may be different to non-disabled people, and people with different impairments have different needs or experience different barriers to accessing information.
EFDS hopes this new guide will enable more providers to understand the principles of and benefit from inclusive communications.
Commenting on the new guide, Barry Horne, EFDS’s Chief Executive, said:
"We always aim to build on our insight into disabled people’s preferences in language, messages and the channels to reach more participants."
"This guide can be a starting point for many to think more deeply about their planning and processes and whether they are reaching as many people as possible."
More information is available on the EFDS website.
The guide is available in various formats, including as an accessible PDF – download it here.
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