Call for evidence to help shape new inquiry into improving physical activity opportunities for Birmingham’s disabled citizens

The council’s Commonwealth Games, Culture and Physical Activity Overview and Scrutiny Committee is joining forces with colleagues from the Health and Social Care O&S Committee to consider the matter in the coming months.

As part of a ‘call for evidence', people are being asked to provide information. The inquiry group is particularly interested in hearing about lived experiences to assist its key lines of enquiry and key questions (see notes to editors for details). They also want to hear from organisations working in sports or supporting the disabled community.

Cllr Jack Deakin, Chair of the Commonwealth Games, Culture and Physical Activity O&S Committee, which is leading the inquiry, said: “As an event, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games were a massive success and positively promoted the Proud Host City on an international stage.

“They also showcased how the Commonwealth Games is at the forefront of delivering a programme that integrates para sport rather than having two separate events - but as a council, we’ve always been clear the Games must be more than just the 11 days of memorable sport during the summer.

“As a city that prides itself on celebrating and supporting diversity, we need to explore how everyone involved in sport in the city can best work together to improve participation levels in physical activity for our disabled citizens, as well as improve the quality of the spectating experience for our disabled communities.

“We want to hear from as many people as possible to learn of their experiences, because that evidence is what we need if we are to shape plans to meet the big challenges. The Commonwealth Games were a success because of the way a range of organisations came together with a shared vision and goal. We can do the same to ensure the provision of sport is improved for our city’s disabled people.”

To have your say, visit a dedicated page on the council’s Be Heard consultation portal. All responses must be received by Friday 13 January 2023.

Background notes

The key lines of enquiry/Key Questions for the upcoming inquiry are as follows:

- Explore the profile of disability in the city, and the level of participation/spectating for sport and physical activity from this community;

- Compare Birmingham to other core cities, and capture learning;

- Understand the experiences of disabled citizens in participating in physical activity and sport in our city;

- Understand the experiences of disabled spectators in accessing the Games and its sporting programme, specifically venues;

- Understand the experiences of disabled spectators in accessing other sporting events and activities;

- Identify the barriers the disabled community faces to participate and spectate;

- Understand what ‘good looks like’ to support inclusion in participation and spectating, and the solutions presented by the community to get there;

- Understand how the Commonwealth Games identified a legacy for the disabled community in terms of participation and spectating, and how it has measured its impact upon this (including early indicators);

- Identify the key activities the Commonwealth Games has undertaken to affect change for the future;

- Benchmark Commonwealth Games 2022 to previous Commonwealth Games or other multi-sport events in terms of legacy for the disabled community.