Just over 7 in 10 disabled people (72 per cent) agree that the coronavirus pandemic has made sport and physical activity less fair for disabled people.

This is one of the headline findings of a new YouGov poll commissioned by Activity Alliance, the leading voice for disabled people in sport and activity. The poll also revealed that only 3 in 10 (30 per cent) disabled people agree that disabled people have the same opportunity to be active as non-disabled people.

Despite a slight improvement before the pandemic, disabled people remain twice as likely to be inactive as non-disabled people. The new strategy sets out its ambition to close this gap within a generation. Two clear goals will drive the strategy forward - changing attitudes towards disabled people and embedding inclusive practice in sport and activity.

One in five of people count as a disabled person in this country – a large proportion of every community. The poll continues to highlight the urgent need for increased commitment to support disabled people and provide more meaningful opportunities to be active.

The true extent of the impact is still unknown. But insight already shows the pandemic has widened inequalities and created new barriers in sport and activity for disabled people. Key to building a fairer society will be a shift in people’s perceptions about what disabled people can and cannot do. The poll also reveals the public’s support in changing attitudes. Over 4 in 5 adults (85 per cent) agree that attitudes about disabled people need to improve generally.

“Everything we do in the next three years will be shaped by our determination to see a real step change in disabled people’s activity. We need to raise awareness of the barriers, some of them longstanding, and collaboratively, drive change. The pandemic has widened the inequalities that already existed for disabled people, and the findings of our research confirm this,” says Barry Horne, CEO at Activity Alliance.