The distribution of children and adolescents with mild disabilities was higher for those from semi-skilled manual and unskilled manual backgrounds. The highest prevalence rates of severe disability in children and adolescents were among those from semi-skilled manual backgrounds.
Proportion of young people undertaking sports frequently (10 times or more) in school
Proportion of young people undertaking sports frequently (10 times or more) in school
Disabled children and adolescents (37 per cent) were more likely to participate in swimming in school than the general population (30 per cent). Swimming was also the most popular sporting activity undertaken by disabled children and adolescents out of school. Horseriding was another sporting activity more frequently participated in, during school time, by disabled children and adolescents (six per cent) than the general population of young people (one per cent).
Chart of percentages of sports played by disabled children
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In 2001, disabled children and adolescents cited lack of money (37 per cent) and unsuitability of local sports facilities (37 per cent) as some of the reasons for experiencing difficulties in accessing leisure facilities out of school.
Sources:
General Household Surveys 1990-1996, 1998, 2000, Office for National Statistics
Family Fund Trust
Finch N (2001) Young People with a Disability and Sport, Sport England
MORI (2001) Young People and Sport in England: National Survey 1999, Sport England