Prominent scientist advocates for equal opportunities in sports, endorsing participation with British Paralympics Association
Equal Play Campaign: Ensuring Inclusive Physical Education for All UK Schoolchildren
The Equal Play campaign, a national initiative aimed at promoting equal play opportunities for disabled children in schools across the UK, has gained momentum. The campaign addresses the concerning fact that only about one in four disabled children regularly participate in school sports or physical education (PE) activities[1].
The Equal Play campaign, launched in conjunction with the Paralympics GB, focuses on four key areas for change to better support teachers and schools in delivering inclusive PE[2]. These areas include empowering teachers, improving teacher training, redefining the role of PE within the school curriculum, and increasing the number of disabled people in the teaching profession.
The report, titled 'Equal Play: Access to PE and school for all children', recommends providing teachers with the understanding and resources needed for delivering inclusive PE[3]. It also advocates for increasing the number of disabled people in the teaching profession to promote inclusivity and for redefining the role of PE within the school curriculum to prioritize inclusivity.
Professor Brett Smith, from the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, has been at the forefront of this movement. He attended the Paralympic Games in Paris and was featured in the Equal Play documentary that aired on UK television on Channel 4[4][5]. The documentary follows two children with disabilities as they are sidelined in school and demand their right to be treated equally in access to sports and PE.
The Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, where Professor Smith works, is ranked fourth in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2025[6]. More information on Professor Smith's work and the department can be found on their respective webpages.
The Equal Play campaign is part of ongoing advocacy to improve disabled children's access to PE and sports in schools, aligning with broader concerns about disabled children's participation in physical activity and inclusion in education. For more in-depth information or ways to support, it might be helpful to contact organizations involved in disability sports or school inclusion initiatives directly.
[1] Equal Play campaign website [2] Equal Play report [3] Equal Play report [4] Channel 4 News [5] Equal Play documentary on Channel 4 [6] Complete University Guide 2025
The Equal Play campaign, in alliance with disability sports organizations, encourages efforts for education-and-self-development by advocating for increased knowledge and resources for teachers to deliver inclusive PE, thereby fostering sports participation among disabled children. Alongside this initiative, ongoing school inclusion programs are working to redefine the role of physical education within the curriculum, emphasizing the importance of equitable sports opportunities for all.
