Dr Toni Williams, from our Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, has contributed to a major report with Disability Rights UK exploring the "Activity Trap".
The term describes the fear among Disabled people that being physically active could put their benefits at risk.
The report's findings come as the ongoing Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) considers how the social security system can better support Disabled people.
The report draws on co-produced research led by Dr Williams that captures the lived experiences of Disabled people across the UK. Their voices were central to the study’s findings.
Some of the key findings include:
The findings highlight concerns that fears about benefits eligibility may discourage participation in physical activity, raising important questions for policymakers and disability advocates.
The report calls for significant reform of the social security system.
Its recommendations outline a series of actions to help ensure Disabled people are supported to be physically active rather than discouraged by concerns about their benefits.
These include practical measures aimed at removing benefit-related barriers to physical activity.
The recommendations include enhanced training for assessors and decision-makers, rooted in the Social Model of Disability, alongside stronger collaboration across Government departments, to improve policy coherence around disability and physical activity.
To inform the ongoing Timms Review, Dr Williams has contributed to a series of roundtable discussions in which evidence from the study has informed discussions with government officials and policymakers.
Image caption (Left to right): Sophia Kleanthous from Disability Rights UK, MP Ben Coleman, Dr Toni Williams, Durham University, and Cameron Uppal from Activity Alliance.
These events have brought together Disabled individuals and representatives from Disability organisations to share their experiences directly with Sir Stephen Timms MP, Minister for Social Security and Disability.
The report was co-produced with Disability Rights UK with Disabled people, disability organisations and charities, and Deaf and Disabled People’s organisations.
It forms part of a transdisciplinary research project examining the relationship between disability, physical activity and welfare policy.
Disabled people should not fear taking part in physical activity, in a society where Government and the NHS, regularly promote the importance of keeping active for maintaining our health and wellbeing. Government departments concerned with sport and health should uphold the rights of Disabled people to stay active and provide guidance on how this should be done. DWP should ensure that assessment processes don’t discriminate against Disabled people who are trying to stay active.
Header image credit: Centre for Ageing Better
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