Earlier this week Christine Jardine MP met with the CEO of Scottish Disability Sport to discuss how to get more disabled people involved sport and physical activity.
Ms Jardine visited Gavin Macleod at the charity’s headquarters, which are located in her
Edinburgh West constituency.
They discussed the boost in popularity for disabled sport following a series of successful
Paralympic Games, but Macleod warned that despite recent progress, there is still much more to be done to provide equal access to sport for disabled people across Scotland.
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After the meeting Ms Jardine said: “As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Paralympic movement, it was heartening to hear how popular disabled sport has become in Scotland.
“I was especially delighted to discover that 40% of this year’s GB Winter Paralympics
team were from Scotland.
“Scotland leads the way when it comes to skilled sports professionals and teachers fully
including those with a disability.
“However, it is vitally important that sport disability inclusion training and other inclusive programmes are supported, properly funded, and rolled out to all those working in sport,
health and education.
“I’ve invited Gavin to Westminster so we can discuss with parliamentarians from
across the UK how better to do this.
“I also wish Team Scotland the best of luck for the Cerebral Palsy International Sports
and Recreation Association World Games starting next week!”
Mr Macleod said: “It was great to have the opportunity to meet Christine and discuss the progress that is being made in Scotland to fully include disabled people across sports at all
levels.
Scottish Disability Sport thanks her for her enthusiasm for the work that we undertake
and for her commitment to be a champion for disability sport in Westminster”.
