- The Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms MP, meets with ParalympicsGB athletes in Paris
- The Minister reaffirms the government's ambition to tackle barriers that prevent disabled people of all backgrounds from engaging in sport and other physical activity
The Minister heard from a number of ParalympicsGB athletes about their journeys into sport and also spoke about the vital role public funding plays in tackling the barriers that prevent disabled people from participating in sport and other physical activity.
This comes as the government commits to ensuring that every child - wherever they are from and whatever their background - has the chance to go as far as their talent will take them.
The Paralympics are the world's leading sporting event for driving social inclusion, showcasing more than four thousand athletes competing in 22 sports and representing a range of disabilities and impairments. Over 200 athletes from ParalympicsGB competed in sports including Para Athletics and Wheelchair Tennis.
Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms MP, said:
It was a privilege to attend this year's Paralympic Games and listen to the remarkable journeys of disabled athletes from around the world.
The benefits of sport are endless, from getting more people active to building more inclusive communities and challenging stereotypes to transform perceptions of disabled people.
This Government is determined to eliminate the barriers that hinder disabled people from engaging in sport from grassroots to elite level so that everyone can access the opportunities they deserve.
The UK Government is committed to building a more active nation and will work closely with Sport England, UK Sport and sector partners to ensure disabled people of all backgrounds have the opportunity to spectate, participate in and enjoy all forms of sport.
Over £385 million was invested for the Paris Olympic and Paralympic cycle, creating a vast range of opportunities for athletes from all backgrounds to chase their dreams and reach their full potential.
ParalympicsGB CEO, David Clarke OBE said:
We were delighted for the Minister to join us in Paris at the Paralympic Games. The government's commitment to supporting our Paralympic athletes is very clear and hugely welcome.
At ParalympicsGB, we look forward to working with the Minister not only to ensure our Paralympic athletes continue to deliver world beating performances, but also to ensure that their success is used as a catalyst to improve the lives of disabled people in the UK. In particular, we look forward to working together to deliver the objectives of our Equal Play campaign which is calling for every child to have the same access to PE at school and to reverse the current situation where just 1 in 4 disabled children take part in sport at school.
British Sign Language (BSL) version of this press release
Notes:
- The government wants to help build a more active nation.
- We recognise there are barriers which prevent some people from taking part. The Government will continue to work with its arm's length bodies, Sport England and UK Sport, and sector partners to encourage sport bodies to make sport more accessible.
- Sport England's ten-year Uniting the Movement strategy reinforces its commitment to increasing participation in sport and physical activity for those from under-represented groups, including disabled people.
- Sport England has ensured that each of their programmes impact directly on disabled people and those with a long-term health condition, with initiatives like the 'We are Undefeatable' campaign and partnerships with Disability Rights UK, Activity Alliance, Aspire, and Sense.
