Association of Colleges launches new disability strategy for sport

The strategy is the first of its kind in the further education (FE) sector, and AoC would like to work with more organisations to increase the number of disabled students who participate, compete and volunteer in sport and physical activity.

The new strategy aims to create a step change in physical activity and sport for disabled students and describes how AoC Sport will support colleges and partner organisations to acheive the vision of 'every disabled college student active for college, work and life'. 

College provides a vital environment for young disabled people to learn a variety of skills and gain invaluable work and life experience. Over 560,000 disabled students benefit from support provided by the Further Education sector in England - that's one in six college students. However, only one in thirteen disabled students currently take part in physical activity and sport in college (AoC Sport, College Sport Survey 2017).  

There is growing evidence highlighting the positive impact sport and physical activity has on disabled students' education, employment and health. AoC Sport recognises this and the new strategy looks to address this by increasing the number of disabled students participating, competing and volunteering in sport.

Active for College, Work and Life strategy objectives:

1. To increase and upskill workforce delivering physical activity and sport to disabled students
2. To increase competitive opportunities in physical activity and sport for disabled students
3. To increase volunteering opportunities in physical activity and sport for disabled students
4. To improve promotion of physical activity and sport for disabled students
5. To build partnerships with organisation who can support colleges with delivering physical activity and sport to disabled students
6. To improve the inclusivity of physical activity and sport for disabled students

If you represent a college or an organisation from the sport or disability sectors and
would like to be involved in getting every disabled student active for college, work and
life please contact, Disability Development Officer Sam Perks - email Sam.

For more information about AoC Sport and to read their new strategy in full, please visit AoC Sport website. The website provides colleges with support, resources and advice to ensure their sport and physical activity offer is inclusive and accessible for disabled students.