Latest
issue
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Press releasesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
SM Insights
Equal Opportunities

A new study has revealed that four in five disabled people want to be more physically active – but feel that their needs aren't catered for


Four in five (81 per cent) disabled people want to be more physically active – but are unable to, as the demand for their needs is not being met by operators. The figure comes from the latest Annual Disability and Activity Survey, published by the Activity Alliance, which offers an in-depth comparison of disabled and non-disabled adults’ experiences of sport and activity.

Less than half (40 per cent) of disabled people feel they are given the opportunities they need to be active, compared to 71 per cent of non-disabled people. Meanwhile, less than a third of disabled people (32 per cent) agree that organised sport is for someone like them – compared to 63 per cent of non-disabled thinking the same.

The revelations come after figures from Sport England revealed that disabled people are twice as likely to be inactive as those without impairments.

To tackle the issues, the report makes three recommendations for sport, health and other sectors to work towards. These are to address the wider determinants of inactivity, to design and lead a choice of accessible activities and to challenge perceptions through inclusive and accessible communications.

“For the first time, we are able to compare perceptions and experiences of disabled people to non-disabled people," said Barry Horne, CEO for Activity Alliance.

"This is a first new step in gathering a snapshot of real life for a huge number of people in our population.

“We want to achieve fairness for disabled people in sport and activity, a position where disabled people are as active as non-disabled people. The findings provide robust insight to Activity Alliance and our partners. This report will be key to helping us – as well as others – to begin changing the reality of disability, inclusion and sport.”

Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of Sport England, added: “At Sport England we are all too aware that there’s an unacceptably high gap in activity levels between disabled and non-disabled people, and that despite a desire to be more active, many disabled people are missing out on the range of benefits that can be gained through physical activity.

“Activity Alliance’s first Annual Survey increases our insight into this issue and throws down a challenge to all in the physical activity sector: to use this new understanding to make sure that far more disabled people can get physically active in a way that is right for them.

"It’s a challenge that personally I know we must take up.”
Barry Horne
"For the first time, we are able to compare perceptions and experiences of disabled people to non-disabled people" - Barry Horne, CEO, Activity Alliance
Less than a third of disabled people (32 per cent) agree that organised sport is for someone like them
Less than a third of disabled people (32 per cent) agree that organised sport is for someone like them / shutterstock
Less than half of disabled people feel they are given the opportunities they need to be active
Less than half of disabled people feel they are given the opportunities they need to be active
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Introducing Glass Act by Templespa
Introducing Glass Act, your new go-to eye serum for brighter, smoother, beautifully awakened eyes. [more...]

Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. - bespoke means moving beyond the catalogue to delivering contextual design responses
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness environments. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Trybe

Trybe was founded back in 2020, and the past five years has seen Trybe become the fastest growing al [more...]
TLEE Spas + Wellness

TLEE Spas + Wellness is a globally acclaimed spa design and consulting firm created in 2010 by Tracy [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

21-23 Jun 2026

Spa Life International (UK)

Midlands (Venue TBA), Liphook, United Kingdom
22-22 Jun 2026

World Bathing Day

Worldwide,
+ More diary  
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
SPA BUSINESS
SPA OPPORTUNITIES
SPA BUSINESS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
SM Insights
Equal Opportunities

A new study has revealed that four in five disabled people want to be more physically active – but feel that their needs aren't catered for


Four in five (81 per cent) disabled people want to be more physically active – but are unable to, as the demand for their needs is not being met by operators. The figure comes from the latest Annual Disability and Activity Survey, published by the Activity Alliance, which offers an in-depth comparison of disabled and non-disabled adults’ experiences of sport and activity.

Less than half (40 per cent) of disabled people feel they are given the opportunities they need to be active, compared to 71 per cent of non-disabled people. Meanwhile, less than a third of disabled people (32 per cent) agree that organised sport is for someone like them – compared to 63 per cent of non-disabled thinking the same.

The revelations come after figures from Sport England revealed that disabled people are twice as likely to be inactive as those without impairments.

To tackle the issues, the report makes three recommendations for sport, health and other sectors to work towards. These are to address the wider determinants of inactivity, to design and lead a choice of accessible activities and to challenge perceptions through inclusive and accessible communications.

“For the first time, we are able to compare perceptions and experiences of disabled people to non-disabled people," said Barry Horne, CEO for Activity Alliance.

"This is a first new step in gathering a snapshot of real life for a huge number of people in our population.

“We want to achieve fairness for disabled people in sport and activity, a position where disabled people are as active as non-disabled people. The findings provide robust insight to Activity Alliance and our partners. This report will be key to helping us – as well as others – to begin changing the reality of disability, inclusion and sport.”

Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of Sport England, added: “At Sport England we are all too aware that there’s an unacceptably high gap in activity levels between disabled and non-disabled people, and that despite a desire to be more active, many disabled people are missing out on the range of benefits that can be gained through physical activity.

“Activity Alliance’s first Annual Survey increases our insight into this issue and throws down a challenge to all in the physical activity sector: to use this new understanding to make sure that far more disabled people can get physically active in a way that is right for them.

"It’s a challenge that personally I know we must take up.”
Barry Horne
"For the first time, we are able to compare perceptions and experiences of disabled people to non-disabled people" - Barry Horne, CEO, Activity Alliance
Less than a third of disabled people (32 per cent) agree that organised sport is for someone like them
Less than a third of disabled people (32 per cent) agree that organised sport is for someone like them / shutterstock
Less than half of disabled people feel they are given the opportunities they need to be active
Less than half of disabled people feel they are given the opportunities they need to be active
LATEST NEWS
The Good Spa Guide sets up event for modified Good Spa Guide Awards
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House Hotel in St Albans, UK.
McKinsey: 84 per cent of consumers say wellness is a top priority
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of Wellness 2026 research report.
Protests continue in Albania against US$1.6 billion luxury resort backed by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Barons Eden rebrands to Hiddenwell ahead of spa hotel portfolio expansion
Barons Eden, the UK parent company that operates luxury destination properties in England, has rebranded to become Hiddenwell.
Belgin Aksoy marks 15 years of Global Wellness Day
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities that spark joy.
HUM2N launches longevity clinic at Six Senses London
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
Mayrlife opens first hotel day clinic in partnership with Rosewood Vienna
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
KX Chelsea invests £15 million to upgrade its wellness offering
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth offers ocean-themed yoga for Global Wellness Day
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Butterfly sanctuary to host hot yoga during retreat at Jersey Zoo for Hotel de France
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
Hoshino Resorts combats summer heat with medically-supervised cool bathing programme for KAI onsen
Hoshino Resorts has developed a “Cool-down onsen soak” programme at properties with Japanese onsen facilities – those within the company’s KAI brand.
Rainforest immersion and mindfulness are on offer at The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, for Global Wellness Day
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day (GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation experiences.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Introducing Glass Act by Templespa
Introducing Glass Act, your new go-to eye serum for brighter, smoother, beautifully awakened eyes. [more...]

Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. - bespoke means moving beyond the catalogue to delivering contextual design responses
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness environments. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Trybe

Trybe was founded back in 2020, and the past five years has seen Trybe become the fastest growing al [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

21-23 Jun 2026

Spa Life International (UK)

Midlands (Venue TBA), Liphook, United Kingdom
22-22 Jun 2026

World Bathing Day

Worldwide,
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS