ABLE2 – Disability Sport Awareness Week from the 26th March to 1st April 2008

From the 26th March to 1st April 2008 PRO-ACTIVE South London are coordinating a Disability Sport Awareness Week – ABLE 2, Achieve, Believe, Learn and Enjoy.

Disabled Londoners currently have fewer opportunities or choice of sports, sports activities and facilities than others, leading to fewer than one in five disabled adults in London regularly taking part in any sport or physical activity.

PRO-ACTIVE South London, one of five County Sports Partnerships for the London, are dedicated to raising awareness of this issue, helping increase the opportunities for Disabled Londoners in Sport and Physical Activity. Their aim is to increase participation amongst the disabled community by 1% year on year.

Nineteen events will be taking place during the ABLE2 week at locations across South London. These events cover a wide range of disability sports from athletics to watersports. These cater for both disabled and able bodied participants and there is something for all ages and impairment groups.

“It is fantastic that PRO-ACTIVE South London have organised this awareness week.” said Christof Niklaus, South London Strategic Development Officer for the London Sports Forum for Disabled People.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to increase participation in sport and physical activity for disabled people. With the Paralympic games coming to London in 2012, it is vital that we start to increase awareness and participation in sports for disabled people now”.

David Gentles, Partnership Manager for PRO-ACTIVE South London has said “We are delighted that so many organisations have developed such an innovative series of sporting opportunities which will provide new experiences for disabled people across South London.” “We hope that can raise awareness of disability sport not just within our region but across London.”

John Brewer, Chair of the London Sports Board said “The disability awareness week is a great idea. Sport England is fully committed to tackling the challenges and barriers that disabled people face with regards to taking part in sport.  The Active People survey showed that 9 per cent of disabled Londoners aged 16 and above participate in 30 minutes of sport or active recreation at least three times a week, compared to 21.3 per cent of Londoners without disabilities. We recently launched the Inclusive and Active Plan for Sport with LSF and the Mayor’s office to encourage at least 1 per cent more disabled people to regularly participate in sport,. The disability awareness week will  help to further narrow the gap.”

Information on the events taking place during the ABLE2 week can be found at www.PRO-ACTIVESouthLondon.org/ABLE2. Alternatively call 020 8916 2262.