Accessibility Guidance for Leisure Centres

In Wales disabled people account for 23% of the population. Statistics show that participation levels in physical activity and sport is significantly lower in disabled people compared to non-disabled populations. This highlights how important it is for us to be inclusive and ensure we are aware of how we can support disabled people to actively access our facilities and programmes.

Planning

• A commitment from all individuals within the organisation to provide an inclusive service.
• Capture, share, and use an evidence-based approach to grow disability and inclusive physical activity and sport provision.

Workforce Development

• Provide staff with an opportunity to access Disability Inclusion Training, and other relevant learning opportunities.
• Embed a programme of Continuing Professional Learning (CPL) which supports the workforce to establish and maintain knowledge and practice regarding disability and inclusion.

Programme Delivery

• Work with partners to establish the range of opportunities available locally.

• Ensure your classes or programmes are accessible and alternative equipment or methods of teaching are available.

Facilities and Programmes

• Leisure facility programmes demonstrate an inclusive approach with options for everyone.

• Always ensure the environment is accessible both internally and externally to allow access to your centre, class or programme.

• Carry out a self-audit on your facilities – you can download a framework for checking the accessibility of your centre here (PDF).

Marketing and Communication

• Marketing and communications materials and methods are in accessible styles and formats. Further information here.

• Marketing materials depict inclusive physical activity provision.

Partner Engagement

• Actively engage with local disabled people to ensure that existing and future programmes across your centres reflect local need.

• Communicate the message of inclusion to a wide range of partners.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Consider the data you collect regarding inclusive provision and engagement to inform future practice.

For more information on the insport programmes and other resources to support your organisation, contact Disability Sport Wales’ insport Senior Officer, Donna Bullivant-Evans (contact details below), or find your local contact.

For more detailed advice on ways your leisure centre can improve its accessibility for disabled people, download our Accessibility Guidelines for Centres (PDF). We've also created a Notes document so you can make notes about how your centre is doing in each area.

Download Accessibility Guidelines for Centres (PDF)

Download accompanying Notes document (PDF)