Activities

Multisport Sessions

Disport are working with Littleport Leisure Centre and now hold monthly Multisport Sessions for people aged 12 and over. Sessions are well attended and activities have included Boccia, Football, Archery, Basketball, Badminton and Volleyball. Sessions cost just £2.50. For more details or contact Littleport Leisure Centre on 01353 860600.

Swimming

Currently there are disability swim sessions at the Paradise pool in Ely which take place on Sundays from 1.30 - 2.30pm and is open to all people with disabilities. For more details please contact Paradise Pool on 01353 665481.

Football

British Blind Sports have organised a football training session for people aged 8 - 16 with visual impairments, booking is essential. Please use the attached poster at the bottom of this page for further details.

A new football club for adults with disabilities/learning difficulties was launched in June 2009. Sessions take place weekly, please use details below and use the link or the attached poster at the bottom of this page.

Times: Tuesdays, 1.30-2.30pm (weekly)
Place: Littleport Sports Centre (outside on grass)
Cost: £1.50
Age: 16 years +

For more details contact Joanne Bull, Football Development Officer at Cambridgeshire F.A. on 01223 209035, or email joanne.bull@cambridgeshirefa.com

The Ely Junior Ability Counts Football Club has now been suspended due to low numbers attending.

There is now an Ability Counts Football League for both juniors and adults, this involves monthly competitions and is open to clubs across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

There is a monthly 5-a-side football session for people who are deaf in Cottenham, further details on the website below.

For more information about football across Cambridgeshire contact Joanne Bull, Football Development Officer at Cambridgeshire F.A. on 01223 209035, or email joanne.bull@cambridgeshirefa.com.
Website: http://www.cambridgeshirefa.com/Development/DisabilityFootball/

Archery

There are a number of opportunities for people to participate in archery in East Cambridgeshire, for more details please contact either Mepal Outdoor Centre on 01354 692251. For details about joining archery clubs in the East Cambridgeshire, please contact Andy Benstead, whose details can be found on the website www.shamba-ace.com

Zone Hockey

Weekly Zone Hockey with Ely Hockey Club has restarted as of 10th May 2009. Training takes place weekly on Monday's 6:00 - 7:00pm, at Ely Outdoor Sports Association, Downham Road, Ely.

Zone hockey is an adapted version of hockey so that the game can be played more inclusively. Sessions will be available to people with disabilities of all ages and are free of charge. No booking necessary.

For more details please see the attached poster at the bottom of this page.

Dance

The Lantern Dance School hold classes at the Paradise Leisure Centre, Ely on Wednesdays 5.30 - 7.
Classes are open to young people with and without learning difficulties.
For further details please see their website www.ldtc.org.uk

Healthy Walks

There are a number of weekly Healthy Walks that take place across East Cambridgeshire. For more details please contact Gemma Voutt on 01353 865393 or email Gemma.Voutt@cambridgeshirepct.pct.nhs.uk or use the following weblink http://www.whi.org.uk/walkfinder/region/East+of+England/East+Cambridgeshire%3A+Heart+Beat/593.html

Blind Cricket

Eastern Vipers are a visually impaired cricket club and welcome new players to their team. The game is played very similar to real cricket but with a different ball and wickets. They also play competitive cricket against other visually impaired teams in both league and cup competitions and also friendly games against surrounding villages in Cambridgeshire. To find out more information or if you are a local club and are interested in playing against the Vipers please contact the team captain, Chris Jeffries on 07884 268 666 (phone or text) or by email on easternvipers@pobox.com or visit http://www.easternvipers.co.uk/

Long Term Conditions Exercise Group

These sessions are designed to focus on your individual needs and to develop your strength and mobility. Sessions take place on Mondays on 11:15 - 12:15, at the Paradise Leisure Centre in Ely. Places are limited therefore advanced booking is required. If you are interested in booking a place please contact The Paradise Sports Centre reception on 01353 667580.

For further details, please use the information sheet available at the bottom of this page.

Boccia

There is now a weekly Boccia club beased at Impington Village College on Sundays.
Boccia is a Paralympic sport developed by CP Sport (Cerebral Palsy Sport). For more details about the club, please use the weblink. http://www.camboccia.co.uk/

Rugby

Ely Tigers Rugby Club have developed close links with the England Deaf Rugby Union team and will continue to have fixtures between the two sides in the future. Ely Tigers are an inclusive club and have qualified coaches and welcome new players of all abilities. For contact details please use the Ely Tigers' website http://www.elyrufc.co.uk/About%20Us/Clubhouse.htm

Bowls

City of Ely Bowls Club have adapted wheelchairs taht can be used on the indoor rinks. The club also have visually impaired groups, playing at the club. For more details about the club, including contact information, please visit the website. http://www.cityofelybowlsclub.org.uk/

Courses

Coaching Courses

There are a number of courses available designed to give clubs and coaches the confidence to promote and deliver sport and physical activity opportunities to people of all abilities. There are also some courses available for disability sports.

Chair-based exercises and Otago

The Falls Prevention Team from Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust have organised a number of courses for care workers and fitness instructors, to lead sessions in chair-based exercises and Otago. For more details please download the Otago information leaflet available below.

Disability Discrimination Act

What is the DDA?

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) was passed in 1995. In order to give service providers the time to make changes, the legislation was phased in over three stages:

• December 1996. It is unlawful for service providers to treat disabled people less favourably for a reason relating to their disability.
• October 1999. Service providers have to make 'reasonable adjustments' for disabled people, such as providing extra help or making changes to the way they provide their services.
• 1st October 2004. Service providers may have to make other 'reasonable' adjustments in relation to the physical features of their premises to overcome physical barriers to access.

What is a physical feature?

A physical feature includes steps, staircase, kerbs, parking, building entrances and exits, toilets and washing facilities.

What does it mean to a sports club or facility?

Look at current provision - does the club provide or have an 'open door' policy? How does the club welcome people with disabilities? The Act makes it unlawful for a service provider to discriminate against a disabled person by refusing to provide access to services to people with disabilities which are provided to other members of the public. The law applies differently to landlords and tenants and those providing educational facilities and so clubs should research this. Private Clubs with elected membership are currently exempt from the DDA. A club or facility also has obligations as an employer under the DDA.

What will happen if our club or facility does not comply with the DDA?

The club cannot be considered to be inclusive. An individual or group of individuals could take private litigation against a club if they feel they have been discriminated against.

How does our club or facility start to make changes?

Sports clubs and facilities should look at all aspects of their service and consider what changes need to be made. You may need to plan a number of changes which could range from disability training to a refurbishment programme.

What is 'reasonable'?

Definitions will become clearer through case law. The law uses this phrase to give some flexibility and allow different solutions. The definition of 'reasonable' may vary according to the:

• Type of service provided.
• Nature of the service provider and it's size and resources.
• Effect of the disability on the individual disabled person.

Some factors to consider when ascertaining what is reasonable are:

• The extent to which it is practicable for the service provider to make adjustments.
• Money already spent on making adjustments.
• The amount of disruption caused by making adjustments.
• The availability of financial or other assistance.
• Financial and other costs of making adjustments.

What does our club or facility need to do?

1. Be aware of the DDA and begin to take positive steps to ensure your club, service or facility is accessible.
2. Consult with local disabled people through access groups, disability sport forums, disability organisations, etc. 
3. The club could do a basic access audit or commission an audit. The latter is a detailed inspection and may be undertaken by an access auditor. An access audit highlights the barriers for disabled people and offers practical solutions. 
4. Draw up an access plan to be stored with other documentation, acting on the results of the audit, which shows how and when the plan will be implemented. 
5. Look at funding opportunities, i.e. Awards for All, Local Authority, Lottery Funds, etc. 
6. Provide or commission Disability Awareness Training for staff/coaches and volunteers. 
7. Consider marketing/promotion of the club. Clubs could look to provide auxiliary aids or services to help disabled people, such as hearing hoops, large print promotional material, use of audio tape or other media. 
8. Contact the Disability Rights Commission for further information.

Useful Contacts

Useful Contacts

EFDS English Federation of Disability Sports

EFDS are the national body responsible for developing sport for disabled people in England. They work closely with the following five National Disability Sports Organisations recognised by Sport England.

• British Amputees and Les Autres Sports Association 
• British Blind Sport
• WheelPower-British Wheelchair Sport
• Mencap Sport
• UK Deaf Sport

Mark Healy, Eastern Regional Development Manager
Tel: 01206 507890
Email: mhealy@efds.co.uk
Website: www.efds.co.uk

Cambridgeshire Football Association

Jim Hill, County Development Manager
Tel: 01223 209 034
Email: jimhill@cambridgeshirefa.com

British Blind Sports

Steve Snelling
Regional Development Officer (Young People)
Tel: 01487 843344
Email: steve@britishblindsport.org.uk
Website: www.britishblindsport.org.uk

I-sports

I-sports is a group, which works closely with British Blind Sports to organise and promote activities for people with visual impairments in Cambridgeshire.
Please note that any details of current activities through I-sports are available on the events/activities page.

To find out more about I-sports please download the information leaflet available at the bottom of this page.

Peterborough City Council

Contact the Sports Development Team
Peterborough City Council
Tel: 01733 747474
Website: http://www.peterborough.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/sports/sports_development_team/disabilty_sports_project.aspx

South Cambs and Cambridge City Councils

Bruce Lockie
Sports Development Officer
Tel: 01223 457547
Email: bruce.lockie@cambridge.gov.uk
Websites:

• http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure-and-entertainment/sport-in-cambridge/disability-sport/
• http://www.scambs.gov.uk/LeisureandCulture/SportsDevelopment/disabilitySports.htm

Huntingdonshire District Council

David Reeve
Community Sport and Recreation Officer
Tel: 01480 387098
Email: david.reeve@huntsdc.gov.uk
Website: http://www.huntsdc.gov.uk/Leisure+and+Culture/Leisure+Development/Disability+Sport

Cambridgeshire County Sports Partnership - Living Sport

Living Sport,
Fen Road,
Pidley,
Huntingdon,
Cambridgeshire.
PE28 3DF

Tel: 01487 841559
Website: www.livingsport.co.uk

Bizzykidz

Bizzykidz is a group for children aged 2 - 19 living in East Cambridgeshire who have special needs which have been formally recognised and documented by a health or education professional. It is run by a group of parents with special needs children and is entirely non profit-making.

Tel: 07882 074 869
Email: enquiries@bizzykidz.org.uk
Website: www.bizzykidz.org.uk

Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI)

The Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) is a programme that supports the fitness industry to become more inclusive, catering for the needs of disabled and non-disabled people alike.

For more information, please use the following link: www.inclusivefitness.org