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Whizz-Kidz launches Generation Inspired report

The charity Whizz-Kidz launches its ‘Generation Inspired?’ manifesto at Parliament today. It is fronted by GB double gold medallist Hannah Cockroft MBE, who will later deliver the report to No.10 Downing Street.

 The ‘Generation Inspired?’ manifesto is based on a late 2012 survey the charity conducted of its young Ambassadors and their parents - asking them about their hopes for a Paralympic legacy, and their ideas to improve opportunities for young disabled people.

Backing the report is Sir Philip Craven MBE, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and ex-beneficiary of Whizz-Kidz, Hannah Cockroft MBE. She received her first sports chair from the charity in 2007. Hannah said:

"The day I received my wheelchair from Whizz-Kidz changed my life. My hope for the legacy of the Paralympics is that more young disabled people will not just be inspired – but have the opportunities - to go for gold and succeed in whatever they want to do".

 

Whizz-Kidz Chief Executive Ruth Owen added:

"The London Paralympics shone a spotlight on the talent, skill and ambition of disabled people. However it will be a hugely missed opportunity if we don’t capitalise on the legacy of the Games - and not just to create more access to sport, but to offer greater opportunity for young disabled people across all areas of society. The young wheelchair users we speak to tell us they face invisible and visible barriers every day. It’s essential to keep on challenging these and make an enduring difference". 

 

The Whizz-Kidz research was undertaken via our young Ambassadors and their families from September 2012 – January 2013 through an online survey, focus groups and phone-calls. There were 117 respondents, whose opinions, experiences and recommendations are reflected in this manifesto. They also drew on anecdotal evidence from young disabled people and their parents obtained through the Whizz-Kidz Ambassador Network; which has over a thousand members, many of whom attend Whizz-Kidz Ambassador Clubs, Wheelchair Skills Training or life skills services.

The report acknowledges the EFDS post-Games legacy report, in which it determined eight out of ten disabled people were considering playing more sport.

For copies of the ‘Generation Inspired?’ report, contact Rhiannon Hughes or Rob Dyson on r.hughes@whizz-kidz.org.uk / r.dyson@whizz-kidz.org.uk or 020 7798 6101 or 07791172544. For more information visit their website.

EFDS are working in partnership with Sainsbury's to deliver inclusive PE training so more young disabled people can experience quality PE and school sport. To find out more about this programme, visit here