Taking part in adapted and disability sport

Search online for ‘accessible sports’ and ‘disability sports’ in your local area.

• Activities for disabled and non-disabled people together (Get Out Get Active)
• Inclusive gyms in England (Activity Alliance)
• Disability Sport Wales
• Scottish Disability Sport
• Paralympic sports (UK Sport)
• Find your local Riding for the Disabled group

You can check what’s available at your local leisure centre, community centre or council.

• Find your local Active Partnership
• Find your local council (GOV.UK)

Search online for ‘accessible sports’ and ‘disability sports’ in your local area.

There are also impairment-specific organisations who provide opportunities:

• British Blind Sport
• Cerebral Palsy (CP) Sport
• Dwarf Sports Association UK
• LimbPower
• Special Olympics GB
• UK Deaf Sports
• WheelPower

Think about:

• what type of activities you enjoy
• if you prefer a disabled-only or mixed group
• how many times a week you'd like to take part
• how you’ll travel to sessions
• if you'll need equipment or kit and how much it will cost
• your fitness and how active you want to be

Think about what you'd like to get from the activity too. For example, a team sport can be a good way of making new friends.

You could also ask a friend or family member to go along with you.

Talking to your health professional

Before you start, talk to a specialist or health professional if:

• you’re not sure about what exercises you can do
• you want to know what exercises are best for you
• you need help to adapt exercises
• you need adaptations or specialist prosthetics
• you feel anxious about taking part in sport or exercise

You could also talk to an organisation or charity for your condition or impairment.

Before joining, you could ask the club or venue:

• if the sessions are disabled-only or mixed
• what equipment and kit you'll need and if you can hire it
• how accessible the venue is
• if there is accessible parking
• if it’s on a public transport route
• if they can meet your needs and any reasonable adjustments
• what facilities are nearby
• if the session is outdoors
• if the activity is appropriate for your age group
• what policies are in place, for example safeguarding or equality and diversity
• if the instructor is aware of your condition or willing to learn about it
• if first aid is available
• if they offer free taster sessions

Financial support for sport and exercise

If you are worried that an activity is not accessible for you, try speaking with the organiser. They may be able to adapt things to suit your needs. Remember that you have a right to reasonable adjustments so that a service is accessible to you.

Asking for reasonable adjustments

Most sports have a national governing body (NGB) that oversees the rules, clubs, coaching and competitions. They may be able to give you advice or help you find activities where you live.

See a list of sport national governing bodies (UK Sport)

You could also contact a national disability sports organisation (NDSO) linked to the activity.

See a list of national disability sports organisations (Activity Alliance)

It could be disability discrimination if a venue, club or sport is not accessible. For example, if you are unable to access an online booking system. Or there is no ramp for you to access the building.

Check if it’s disability discrimination