New research amongst 1,100 disabled people has revealed almost half (46%) have been inspired to get more involved with sport or exercise as direct result of the Paralympic Games.
According to a new report released this week by firm Grass Roots, when thinking about the longer term, 89% felt the Games – the spiritual home of which is Stoke Mandeville – would leave a positive legacy.
More than half thought the Games would result in a positive change in non-disabled peoples’ attitudes, a quarter (26%) thought the Games would encourage more disabled people to take part in sport and 12% said it would lead to improved accessibility.
Less than 11% thought the Games would have no positive impact at all.
The survey also found that more than a third confessed to never taking part in sport or exercise before the Paralympics. Of those, 36% now say they have been inspired to get active and get involved in sport.
Alick Miskin, Grass Roots’ diversity services director, considers the key message said: “We have over 10 million disabled people in the UK. This survey shows a shift in attitude and it’s now up to non-disabled people in particular, to adjust to this change.”