3 December 2025
ParalympicsGB research highlights power of Paralympic Games to break down barriers to disabled people being more active
Ground-breaking research conducted by ParalympicsGB has revealed disabled people continue to face a wide range of barriers preventing them from taking part in sport and physical activity – and the power the Paralympic Games can have to help change that.
Polling conducted by Savanta pre and post the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games demonstrates confidence levels among disabled people are notably lower in sports and physical activity contexts compared to other environments.
While 71% of respondents reported feeling confident at work, 56% in public, 53% in educational settings, and 47% on public transport, just 31% feel confident in sport or physical activity settings.
Consideration of disabled people’s needs is low in sports and physical activity settings. Around a third (32%) of disabled people say other people (not including staff or coaches) do not consider their needs. Additionally, many highlight issues with staff within sport and physical activity settings: 36% say non-coaching staff fail to consider their needs, and 33% say the same is true of coaching staff and trainers.
Read the full report: ParalympicsGB: Understanding attitudes, lived experience and impact
Watch: Brock Whiston on Equal Play
One survey response from a 39-year-old neurodivergent Male explained: “To make me feel more included in sports, ensure facilities are accessible and offer adaptive programs tailored to various needs. Train staff to understand and support disabled athletes and promote a culture of inclusivity by encouraging teamwork and reducing stigma.”
Additionally, children aged 12-15 years were shown to have the highest levels of unmet sport and physical activity needs, with 51% of disabled children saying that others in these settings do not sufficiently consider their disability-related needs.
That is why ParalympicsGB is continuing to call on the Government to fully implement Equal Play – an athlete endorsed campaign launched during Paris 2024 to ensure no disabled child is excluded from physical education and school sport by the LA Paralympic Games in 2028.There are four areas that ParalympicsGB has identified where tangible change could be made to better support teachers and schools:
- Empower teachers with the right tools, understanding and resources to deliver truly inclusive PE.
- Adapt teacher training to ensure the next generation of teachers have the skills and confidence to deliver truly inclusive PE.
- Redefine how PE is seen within the school curriculum, ensuring it becomes a priority across the education system.
- Increase the number of disabled people entering the teaching profession.
The unique power of the Paralympic Games to challenge perceptions and break down barriers was also evidenced in the research with positive signs of improved confidence among disabled people who attended or watched the Paris 2024 Games.
Confidence
Disabled people who watched or attended the Paralympic Games are more likely to feel they have the ability to be physically active (64%) than those who had not watched or attended (48%)
The proportion of disabled people who felt confident enough to participate in physical activity (in the ‘contemplation’ or ‘pre-contemplation’ stages) increased from 45% to 57%.The Games also appears to have prompted behaviour change. For example, disabled people who watched or attended the Paralympic Games are more likely to feel they have the ability to be physically active (64%) than those who had not watched or attended (48%).
David Clarke, CEO of ParalympicsGB said: “At ParalympicsGB, our vision is clear: to inspire a better world for disabled people through the power of sport. By harnessing the influence of the Paralympic Games and amplifying the voices of Paralympians, we aim to challenge perceptions and drive lasting change - ensuring fair, equitable access to sport, physical activity, and education for all.“
This report is a call to listen, act, and collaborate. It urges us to build environments where everyone feels seen, valued, and empowered to participate - and to move beyond identifying barriers to becoming agents of progress.”
The research also highlighted the impact of other ParalympicsGB community-based campaigns such as Get Set and Every Body Moves powered by Toyota.
Get Set is ParalympicsGB and Team GB’s official youth engagement and education programme to enable every young person to live a healthier, happier, and more active life, every day. The survey revealed 81% of children who participated said it had made them think about the importance of treating disabled people equally. While 70% of those surveyed said that they or their child was more active as a result of the programme.
At the same time 75% of people who visited ParalympicsGB’s Every Body Moves powered by Toyota digital hub promoting community based inclusive sport and activity opportunities said it made them consider the challenges faced by disabled people.
You can read the full report here: ParalympicsGB: Understanding attitudes, lived experience and impact
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