Is your swim venue accessible?

If swimming is great for getting people moving and has the potential to change lives, why don’t more people with disabilities do it? Adaptive swimmer Sophie Etheridge looks at a few of the issues disabled swimmers face.

In today’s society there are endless campaigns and organisations aimed to try and help improve people’s health and fitness, but when you have multiple medical conditions or chronic illnesses, it isn’t always that simple.

Those with chronic illnesses and health issues are constantly facing barriers to sport and it can be hard and disheartening to try and work round them. I’ve spoken a lot about accessibility in swimming and want to take this month’s theme of Health to highlight these issues further.

Swimming is great for those with physical disabilities and is not only a hobby to many, but also therapy. When I was re-learning to walk properly I did so in a swimming pool, so when I say swimming changed my life, I mean it.

Being weightless means those that have pain when putting weight through their legs can walk freely and warm water helps those with spasticity problems to move freely and more confidently. It’s often easier to relax and letting the water hold your full weight can be a liberating feeling for those that struggle daily due to a physical disability.

Swimming is obviously also great for your fitness. It is said that one mile of swimming equals roughly four miles of running, so being weightless and being able to move easier in the water means individuals can exercise more easily.

So, if swimming is great in getting people moving, exercising and could change someone’s life, why don’t more people with disabilities do it? Below are just a few of the issues those with disabilities face when swimming.

• Inaccessible venues. For example, if there is a gravel path leading up to the building or lake and you use a wheelchair you can’t get to the water.
• Management at pools often don’t want me on poolside in my wheelchair; I would be a hazard. • Some pools don’t have hoists, and even when they do, often the lifeguards don’t know how to use them.
• Entrances to lakes are too steep, slippery, unsafe and unsuitable for someone with physical disabilities.
• There isn’t anywhere safe or enough room to leave a wheelchair or other equipment on poolside/by the river or lake etc. • Someone may be able to get in but unable to get out safely due to access.
• Individuals may need extra equipment to help them swim and this can be expensive.

The list goes on…

So, what can we do to ensure those with disabilities have access to swimming to improve both their health and mental wellbeing?

Next time you go swimming look at your swim spot or local pool and see if it would be accessible to someone that has mobility issues and consider if anything could be done to make it more accessible. Be open and welcoming to those with disabilities and ask them what help, if any, they need and most importantly be inclusive, not exclusive.

From everyone in the disabled swimming community – thank you.