#MakeSportAccessible
Sight Loss Councils run multi-sport taster and other events across England to help raise awareness and build people’s confidence to get more active.
Feedback from delegates include trying new sports for the first time in an accessible environment, meeting new friends, and learning how these events can improve wellbeing. People have also taken up new sports as a result.
Oliver, aged 19, tried cricket for the first time at a Let’s Get Active event in Yorkshire and Humberside. He said:
“I had never even played VI cricket until last year when I came to this event and played cricket for the first time. I now play for Yorkshire. It’s great for getting active and meeting new people too.”

Oliver playing Goalball
Mohammed shared about an event we ran in Manchester:
“I thought the coaching was very good, especially for baseball. It felt very safe to play, and the way the sport is adapted is much better than others I’ve tried. For example, the sound of the ball is more audible, and the use of speakers helps with direction when running to a stop. Excellent work and techniques by all the coaches who made it really simple to play.”
We also raise the profile of accessible sport and physical activity. This is because everyone should have the chance to participate and enjoy the benefits for their physical and mental wellbeing.
Working alongside Thomas Pocklington Trust, we also share how just small changes to how sessions are delivered, and facilities operate, can make them inclusive for blind and partially sighted people.
Video from Greater Manchester Let’s Get Active 2023
This short extract from a video created by BBC Manchester interviews Engagement Manager Kelly on a football pitch at a Let’s Get Active event and shows blind and partially sighted people trying out a variety of adapted sports, including golf, netball, baseball, football and cricket. The video ends with an interview with volunteer Gill, who is filmed playing indoor tennis.
Why do we support people to get more active?
Sport England’s ‘Active Lives Adult Survey’ data shows that:
- Disabled people are almost twice as likely to be physically inactive (43%), compared with non-disabled people (23%).
- One in two blind and partially sighted people feel that having sight loss stops them from exercising as much as they want to.
- One in three blind and partially sighted people said there were sports or fitness activities they would like to try but haven’t been able to.
- 80 per cent of BPS people agree that it is important to them to exercise regularly, for enhanced physical, social and mental wellbeing, showing an imbalance between attitudes to exercise and uptake.
The awareness and attitude of people, including other participants, staff, coaches, tutors, volunteers, can also result in people not understanding that BPS can and want to take part.
The reality is quite the opposite. Our Let’s Get Active events can include VI running, walks, rugby, football, cricket and more. We also know many BPS dancers – and who can forget Chris McCausland’s amazing Strictly Come Dancing performance in 2024.
Video from Lancashire SLCs at Preston parkrun 2024
This short extract shows Lancashire SLC staff, volunteers, and blind and partially sighted participants running and warming up at Preston parkrun in Avenham Park. The video includes interviews and shows participants running on a tree-lined path with volunteers playing instruments to support them
Guidance on how to #MakeSportsAccessible
Thomas Pocklington Trust and Sight Loss Councils launched a joint report called ‘Breaking Barriers: Improving Access for Blind and Partially Sighted Individuals in Leisure Facilities’ in 2024.
The report highlights the challenges faced by BPS people when accessing leisure facilities. This includes both in-person and through online platforms, such as websites and mobile applications.
Additionally, the report offers recommendations to create more inclusive spaces. This includes an accessible-by-design approach for leisure centres, including updates to website accessibility information, extensive accessibility testing, staff awareness and collaboration with suppliers who prioritise accessibility.
A separate toolkit released with UK Coaching also helps sports and leisure centre staff to understand how they can help to break down some of the barriers to participation.
Useful links