Disability Sport
Everybody should have the opportunity to participate in sport, whatever his or her ability. At West Yorkshire Sport we are dedicated to improving the access to sport and physical activity for all disabled people within West Yorkshire.
Facilitated through strong partnership links with the Federation of Disability Sports Organisations and the Equality Standard, West Yorkshire Sport is working through its network to create an equitable sporting environment for all its members.
Access to facilities and services are at the forefront, in addition to the access to quality coaches and a safe environment. In conjunction with this we appreciate that Sport is also a tool that can unite communities so our aim is to help combat prejudice and discrimination that many disabled people experience.
The School Sports Partnerships are key in these developments, as we believe that all children should have access to physical education; disability should not be a barrier to inclusion in sport programmes. The links between education and the community will not only support the development of disability sports, but will aim to develop some truly fantastic athletes, coaches and volunteers for the London 2012 Paralympics.
The Federation of Disability Sports Organisations (FDSO)
The Federation of Disability Sports Organisations was formed in 1993 to create and provide sport and recreational opportunities for disabled people in the Yorkshire and Humberside region. The FDSO is a Benevolent Organisation (not for profit) and is run by a volunteer Executive Committee made up of members from the four regional Disability Sports Organisations.
They are the Blind Sport Advisory Group, Disport (representing people with a learning disability), Yorkshire Deaf Sports Council and Disability Sport Events (who represent people with Physical Disabilities).
The FDSO works with its strategic partners, the English Federation of Disability Sport and Sport England to meet their objectives, which will bring greater opportunities for disabled people, more sports, more choices and the chance to have a say in how sport is planned and delivered.
In addition to this development work, FDSO produces an annual calendar of events, activity and sports development days, coaching courses and competitive events for people of all abilities and age groups.
James Brown is the West Yorkshire Disability Development Officer for the Federation of Disability Sports Organisations. Based within the team at West Yorkshire Sport, James’ role is to promote and develop sporting opportunities for people with disabilities in West Yorkshire. The key work areas include:
- Workforce Development
- Player Pathways (Including Playground to Podium)
- Youth and Club Development
- Marketing and Communications
Collectively we aim to ensure there are more high quality opportunities to participate, with sustainable pathways, utilising networking & information sharing with a partnership approach.
The West Yorkshire Disability Sport Steering Group was formed to support the work of local partners in the area. The steering group is made up of representatives from school sport partnerships (SSP’s), the five local authorities, county level governing bodies of sport and disability sports organisations. The group was established to provide a fully integrated West Yorkshire approach to disability sport and to make recommendations to the Delivery Agents of Sport on disability issues. This group has provided guidance, local expertise and support with regards to the development and delivery of the county work programmes.
Downloads:
To view a copy of the WY Disability Sport Strategy
click here or below.
To view a copy of the WY Disability Sport Development Plan
click here or below
For more information on the FDSO please visit: www.fdso.co.uk
If you have any questions surrounding disability sport please get in touch with James on the following contacts:
James Brown
West Yorkshire Disability Development Officer
Tel: 01484 234087
Mob: 07533 769787
Email: james.brown@wysport.co.uk
c/o West Yorkshire Sport
Kirklees Culture & Leisure HQ
Red Doles Lane
Huddersfield
HD2 1YF
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS)
English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) is the national body responsible for developing sport for disabled people in England. We work closely with the six National Disability Sports Organisations (NDSOs) recognised by Sport England to develop sporting opportunities for the 11 million disabled people in England:
CP Sport - http://www.cpsport.org/home.shtml
BALASA / Dwarf Athletics - http://www.daauk.org/
British Blind Sport - http://www.britishblindsport.org.uk/
Wheelpower – British Wheelchair Sport - http://www.wheelpower.org.uk/
Mencap Sport - http://www.mencap.org.uk/page.asp?id=106
UK Deaf Sport - http://www.ukdeafsport.org.uk/
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The October 2009 INAS Newsletter, which contains important information regarding the inclusion of athletes with a learning disability in the 2012 Paralympic Games, is now available at http://www.inas-fid.org/documents/17NewsletterOctober2009.pdf
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