Disability

Facts about disability:

• 1 in 5 people in the UK is disabled.
• 9.4 million people in England (18% of the population) have an impairment or health condition.
• 75% of disabled people have more than one impairment.
• 70% of disabled people are over the age of 50.
• Inactivity is more common among disabled people.
• 8 out 10 disabled adults want to do more sport.
• 7 out of 10 disabled people are motivated to be more active to improve or maintain their physical health.
• Physiological barriers play the biggest role in preventing disabled people from taking part in the sport. Their perception of their own abilities matter as well as others’ opinions on whether the activity suits them.
• 6 out of 10 disabled people say there is a lack of available activities or not knowing about opportunities is what prevents them from taking part.

(Research published by the Activity Alliance 2019)

Para-Badminton – the specific categories catered for within the six sport classes defined by the Badminton World Federation and which are part of the Paralympic Games:

• Wheelchair 1 WH1 – requires a wheelchair to play badminton. Players in this sport class usually have impairment in both lower limbs and trunk function.
• Wheelchair 2 WH2 – could have impairment in one or both lower limbs and minimal or no impairment of the trunk.
• Standing Lower SL3 – must play standing. The player could have impairment in one or both lower limbs and poor walking/running balance.
• Standing Lower SL4 – second standing class where the player has a lesser impairment compared to sport class SL3. The player could have impairment in one or both lower limbs and minimal impairment in  walking/running balance.
• Standing Upper SU5 – impairment of the upper limbs.
• Short Stature SS6 – have a short stature due to a genetic condition including but not limited to achondroplasia.

This action plan from Badminton England, in alignment with the disability strategy from the Badminton World Federation:

• promotion and visibility – presenting badminton as an inclusive sport and activity appropriate for all.
• Inclusion – embedding disability and Para-Badminton into the governance and management structures of Badminton England and throughout the sport.
• Participation – increasing the number of players through support for club and improved coach development, supplemented by appropriate competition and a performance pathway that enables players to maximise their potential.
• Technical – upskilling and development of tactical knowledge, classifiers and officials to support implementation of this plan.