Play, Move, Belong: Active Futures for Young Disabled People
Activity Alliance · 2025
About this report
This report presents findings from a 2025 survey of over 2,000 young disabled and non-disabled people (aged 5–16) and their parents and caregivers about their experiences of sport and physical activity. Young disabled people are significantly more likely to be 'less active' than their non-disabled peers, with the gap widening with age, and only 3% meeting recommended daily activity guidelines. Key barriers for young disabled people include lack of confidence, not feeling comfortable, fear of not belonging, and their impairment itself — with disabled girls, those with mental health problems, and those with multiple impairments most disadvantaged. The findings will inform a three-year programme to improve inclusive sport and activity participation for young disabled people.
Research details
- Methodology
- Survey
- Sample size
- 2,054
- Sample
- Young disabled people (n=521), young non-disabled people (n=506), parents and caregivers of young disabled people (n=521), and parents and caregivers of young non-disabled people (n=506), all relating to children aged 5–16.
- Place
- UK-wide
- Youth involvement
- No youth involvement
- Funders
- Sport England, Access Sport, Loughborough University, Paralympics GB, Youth Sport Trust