Is your club inclusive of disabled people?

Please note that this information only applies to clubs in Greater London

More and more clubs are trying to attract disabled people to their clubs, but how can you make sure that your efforts will help retain them as members of your club?

To assist mainstream and disability sport groups to become more inclusive of disabled people the London Sports Forum for Disabled People (LSF) have developed the Club Health Check kit. This pack guides clubs through a self assessment process, which reviews how inclusive the club is at the moment, how inclusive they should be and direction on the steps to take to get there.

The Club Health Check reviews over 10 key areas the reflect how inclusive your club is, including:

  • Do you consult disabled people when developing your clubs facilities and services?
  • Are your club’s communications materials accessible for disabled people (large print? easy words and pictures?)
  • Are your coaches and volunteers trained to understand the needs of disabled people?
  • Do you access the numerous sources of funding available for clubs promoting the inclusion of disabled people?

Although the Club Health Check is a self-assessment tool, your club can choose to:

  • Work on your own to make your service more inclusive, by using the recommendations and resource included in the kit, OR
  • enlist the help of LSF, your ARA CDO, or your local Borough Sports Development Unit to help you look at target areas and plan how to address them.

More information, including Frequently Asked Questions, is available on the LSF's website.

Please be aware that there are some monitoring requirements expected from the club using the pack.The Club Health Check kit is available from LSF for £10.00 – although your local Council may pay this for you. Contact LSF on (tel) 020 7354 8666 or email info@londonsportsforum.org.uk.

Information for Adaptive athletes

If you are looking to join a rowing club, please contact the Divisional Representative covering the area closest to you. In addition, dedicated Adaptive Rowing Clubs are based in the region at Oxford Adaptive RC and just outside the region in the Royal Albert Dock.