Activity Alliance releases new insight on COVID-19 impact

Activity Alliance's Annual Disability and Activity Survey was launched in 2019 to provide a greater understanding about disabled people's attitudes towards and involvement in sport and physical activity. Now, in its second year, the survey plays a crucial role. It helps to uncover the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on disabled people's motivations and ability to be active.

Activity Alliance's Annual Disability and Activity Survey complements Sport England's Active Lives Adult Survey. With the focus on disabled people, this report goes into greater detail on perceptions, experiences and important issues.

This year's survey results show how the pandemic is not only widening existing inequalities for disabled people but creating new challenges too. Key findings include:

• Disabled people felt that they do not have the opportunity to be as active as they want to be, compared to those without disabilities (29% vs 44%).
• Almost a quarter of disabled people stated that they had not received enough information about how to be active during the pandemic (23% vs 13%).
• Respondents said the lack of activity has led to both their physical and mental health being harder to manage. Feelings of loneliness and social isolation were frequently cited.
• A fear of contracting the virus, the impact on their health and a lack of space and support to be able to exercise safely at home, have become significant barriers for disabled people.

You can read the full report from the Activity Alliance here: www.activityalliance.org.uk/annual-survey

(Source: Activity Alliance)