Survey finds disabled people are less active and more isolated as we recover from the pandemic
Activity Alliance ’ s Annual Disability and Activity Survey 2021-22 has revealed that many disabled people feel ‘ forgotten ’ as we recover from the pandemic and are ‘ less active , more isolated and experiencing widening inequalities ’.
Now in its third year , the survey continues to track disabled people ’ s perceptions and experience of sport and activity .
The newly-published report finds that disabled people would like to be more active , but do not feel encouraged to take part in activities , while a declining proportion of disabled people believe that sport is ‘ for someone like them ’, compared with previous years . Key findings from the survey include :
• Less than 3 in 10 disabled people feel encouraged to return to physical activity after the pandemic .
• The pandemic has led to the support disabled people need to be active being less available , and an increase in barriers relating to health and finances .
• Only 4 in 10 disabled people feel they can be as active as they want , in contrast to non-disabled people who are now more likely to say they can be as active as they want ( 62 % to 69 %).
• There is a clear sense of disconnect with how disabled people actually feel , with less than half ( 47 %) thinking that physical activity and exercise is for ‘ someone like them ’. This is a significant decline from 57 % in 2020 and when compared with 72 % of non-disabled people believing activity is for them .
• Disabled people are being left out as we return to activity and feeling less encouraged to be active . This is despite 8 in 10 wanting to be more so ( compared with 51 % of non-disabled people ).
• For those disabled people taking part in activity , they are having less positive and inclusive experiences since the pandemic . They are less likely than last year to feel activity leaders met their needs and included them and less likely than non-disabled people to say returning to activity was a positive experience ( 52 % versus 70 %).
• There is a strong feeling among disabled people that the workforce at many levels does not understand disability and that spaces still are not accessible .
• 78 % of disabled people say their impairment or condition stops them being active , often related to low awareness of suitable activities and fears about safety and risk .
One organisation dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through horse riding , carriage driving and hippotherapy , is Riding for the Disabled Association ( RDA ). It achieves its aims through a network of around 450 volunteer groups throughout the UK and many of its participants are referred by occupational therapists , physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals .
RDA Interim Chief Executive Paul Ringer welcomed the report , saying : ‘ Our experiences coming out of the pandemic reflect the findings of the Alliance Activity report . While the pandemic presented challenges for everybody , disabled people have found it more difficult to remain active .’
For the survey results visit https :// bit . ly / 3z9pRwT . To learn more about RDA visit www . rda . org . uk .
News in brief
Environmental sustainability and climate change pulse survey
RCOT recognises the threat to human health and that of our natural world from the impacts of climate change and would like to take a measurable snapshot of current occupational therapist perceptions and views through a quick pulse survey . Your answers to five questions will help RCOT gain valuable insight which it will use to measure and shape its activity and support for members . The survey will close at 5pm on Thursday 24 November 2022 . Visit https :// bit . ly / 3TVmBwT .
Occupational therapy workforce survey
This is your opportunity to have your say and make your voice heard in the first UK-wide workforce survey of occupational therapists . RCOT is running a survey to help it build a picture of the experiences and issues affecting the occupational therapy workforce . Understanding there are multiple challenges affecting occupational therapists and occupational therapy services , RCOT wants to know how occupational therapy practitioners are currently operating , how they feel about their work and any difficulties they are facing . Open until 11pm on Sunday 27 November 2022 it takes around 10-15 minutes to complete and all responses will be anonymous . Visit https :// bit . ly / 3zcMxwg .
Local government pay settlement in Scotland response
RCOT is unhappy that the payment of Health and Care Professions Council fees has not been included in the pay settlement for occupational therapists working in social care in Scotland . It announced on its website : ‘ We strongly oppose this and encourage occupational therapists to work with their local UNISON reps , to ask that this disparity be addressed , at the first opportunity in the next pay round ’. Details of the pay offer and FAQs can be found at https :// unison-scotland . org / local-governmentpay-ballot-2022 /.
8 OTnews November 2022