Posted: 28 July, 2026
Wheels for All has welcomed the publication of Activity Alliance’s latest Annual Disability and Activity Survey, which highlights the continued inequalities disabled people face when accessing sport and physical activity across the UK.
As long-standing friends and partners of Activity Alliance, we welcome the findings of this year’s report, which provides valuable insight into the experiences of disabled people and those with long-term health conditions. While the research highlights encouraging progress in some areas, it also demonstrates that significant barriers remain, preventing many people from enjoying the physical, mental and social benefits of being active.
The report shows that many disabled people want to be more active but continue to face challenges including inaccessible facilities, affordability, transport, confidence and a lack of inclusive opportunities. These findings reinforce what Wheels for All sees every day through its network of inclusive cycling hubs across England.
For more than 35 years, Wheels for All has been working to remove these barriers by providing accessible cycles, welcoming environments and trained staff and volunteers who enable disabled people and those with long-term health conditions to experience the joy and freedom of cycling.
Every week, hundreds of participants visit Wheels for All sessions, discovering not only the physical benefits of cycling but also improved confidence, social connection and wellbeing.
The charity believes the report should act as a call to action for organisations, policymakers and communities to work together to create a more inclusive future where everyone has equal opportunities to be active.
Joe McTague, Chief Executive of Wheels for All, said:
*”The findings from Activity Alliance’s Annual Disability and Activity Survey are both important and unsurprising. While it’s encouraging that so many disabled people want to be more active, it’s clear that too many continue to face barriers that simply shouldn’t exist.
“At Wheels for All, we see first-hand the difference inclusive cycling can make when those barriers are removed. Access to the right equipment, welcoming environments and supportive people can be truly life changing.
“We’ve enjoyed a strong relationship with Activity Alliance over many years, united by a shared ambition to make physical activity accessible to everyone. We welcome this research and look forward to continuing to work alongside Activity Alliance, partners and communities across the country to tackle these inequalities and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience the joy and freedom of being active.”*
Wheels for All remains committed to working collaboratively with Activity Alliance and partners across the sport, physical activity and disability sectors to build a more inclusive society where disabled people and those with long-term health conditions can participate, thrive and belong.
By listening to the experiences of disabled people and acting on the evidence presented in reports such as this, together we can create lasting change and ensure that inclusive opportunities are no longer the exception, but the norm.
Read the full Activity Alliance Annual Disability and Activity Survey to explore the findings in more detail and learn more about the work being done to create a more inclusive future for physical activity.
Watch the FREE webinar from Activity Alliance Senior Research and Insight Advisor Molly O’Brien discuss the findings HERE
