Despite the varied and substantial benefits of physical activity, many children and young people are insufficiently active. One group that is becoming increasingly inactive is disabled children and young people. For example, it has been reported that one third of disabled children take part in less than 30 minutes of sport and physical activity per day. This compares to 21% of children without disabilities.
This widening in physical activity between disabled and non-disabled children and young people has increased during the global pandemic. A poll undertaken in May by Save the Children also found that over 90% of children felt the way they play had changed since the pandemic, with over half saying they play with their friends less, and a third reporting they play alone more.
Children's rights
The UN Convention of the Rights of the Child states specifically that all children have a right to play and take part in a range of activities. Children with disabilities have the right to live a full and rich life and play an active role in their communities. It is therefore critical that the significant health inequalities that now exist, and have been exacerbated due to the pandemic, need addressing.
Through funding made available by the Department for Education, our charity, the Youth Sport Trust, will work with a consortium of organisations, supporting thousands of schools to improve PE and school sport for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Known as Inclusion 2024, the consortium of organisations will aim to improve provision of inclusive PE for 150,000 young people through inclusive training, advice and guidance in 5,000 schools. It will build upon the magic of inspirational sporting events such as the Paralympic and Commonwealth Games to engage pupils through inclusive sport programmes and festivals, reaching every county in England.
Inclusion 2024 will support thousands of schools and young people with SEND
Earlier this year, we announced news of the programme and funding. The consortium of organisations delivering Inclusion 2024 is led by the Youth Sport Trust, and includes Activity Alliance, the British Paralympic Association, nasen (the National Association of Special Educational Needs) and Swim England.