Information note for sports clubs

Updated 29 October 2004

Does your club comply with the Disability Discrimination Act?

• Since 2 December 1996 it has been unlawful for sports clubs to treat disabled people less favourably for a reason related to their disability
  
• Since 1 October 1999 sports clubs have had to make “reasonable adjustments” for disabled people, such as providing extra help or making changes to the way they provide their services
  
• Since 1 October 2004 sports clubs had to make other “reasonable adjustments” in relation to the physical features of their premises to overcome physical barriers to access.  
  

Research shows that disabled people are less likely to take part in sport and physical activity. this can be for a variety of reasons. Most importantly disabled people in the same research, carried out by Sport England in 2000 and 2001, identified that disabled people want to be physically active and healthy by having more opportunities to take part in sport.

Recently, legislation and regulations concerning the needs of people with disabilities has changed. The most significant in terms of sports clubs are the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and Part M of the Building Regulations.

Many clubs are either not aware of these changes or do not believe that they are relevant to them. For most sports clubs there are implications and for many they are very significant, requiring plans to be put in place to ensure adequate access is provided for disabled users/members in the future.

We have prepared two downloads designed to bring your attention to these changes and to encourage you to consider how your club can make the services it provides more accessible to everyone, whilst at the same time helping you to meet some of your legal obligations.

Download the complete information note (PDF1083kb)
Download the legislation background briefing (PDF 111kb)

Download the FAQs relating to the DDA (PDF 103kb)

Read more about Sport England's Equity and inclusion policy