Sport – disabled people must enter the mainstream
December 11, 2002 12:00 AM
Liz Lynne, Liberal Democrat Euro-MP for the West Midlands, is calling for the interests of disabled people to be integrated more into national and trans-national sporting events, after hosting a successful conference at the European Parliament on disabled people and sport yesterday (Tuesday).
Two main themes were explored at the conference, a prelude to the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003 and the Year of Education through Sport 2004. Firstly, a number of disabled athletes and representatives from disabled people’s sport organisations spoke on the development of disabled people’s sport and in particular their hopes for the 2003 Special Olympics in Dublin and the 2004 Paralympics in Athens. Secondly, there was discussion about disabled people’s access to sporting events, particularly football.
Speaking after the conference, Alan Milner, Chairman of the National Association of Disabled Supporters, said:
“It is important for the European Community to engage with disabled people in terms of their involvement with sport.
“The outcome of the conference is to take the agenda forward for the Year of People with Disabilities and hopefully we will have reaped tangible benefits by the end of the year.”
Liz, who is the Rapporteur for the European Year of People with Disabilities and Vice President of the Parliament’s All Party Disability Intergroup, added:
“One of the key points to come out of this conference is the need for disabled people to be seen actively participating in sport, both in the arena and as supporters. Events such as the Paralympics are excellent for challenging stereotypes, but the next step must be to ensure that disabled sportspeople remain in the media spotlight outside of major international events.
“Sport is about celebrating human endeavour and has the potential to be a great equaliser and unifier. If disabled people are left out of the loop, then we are failing profoundly.”
The National Association of Disabled Supporters’ website can be found at www.nads.org.uk.
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