The “DEAFinitely Inclusive” scheme, which also features a new quality kite mark, is open to sports clubs and leisure facilities in a bid to increase the inclusivity of deaf people in various sporting opportunities across the nation.

Those organisations who take up the initiative will then work with UK Deaf Sport in order to remove barriers deaf people may come up against, including difficulties in accessing sports at their club or leisure centre.

They will be asked to complete a set of criteria and once they have finished the scheme, the club will then receive accredited status as a “DEAFinitely Inclusive” club or facility as well as the quality kite mark, which they can then use to promote opportunities for deaf people.

UK Deaf Sport has already identified over 60 sports clubs and leisure facilities which look set to be the first to be accredited under the new “DEAFinitely Inclusive” scheme.

The announcement comes after a recent Sport England survey revealed sports participation is lowest among deaf people in the country, with only 10.1 per cent of deaf adults taking part in sporting activities once a week.

“The DEAFinitely Inclusive kite mark will enable deaf and hard of hearing people to be confident in accessing sport and physical activity,” Lee Dolby, director of development at UK Deaf Sport, said.

“By looking for the logo they will know that clubs and facilities have taken positive steps to ensure that they are deaf aware.

“Sport should be for everyone; but if you are not sure whether you will be welcomed or included, it can be a scary place to enter.

“Our new kite mark will enable deaf people to feel more confident that any activity displaying the logo will be fun, friendly and DEAFinitely Inclusive.”

The establishment of the initiative follows UK Deaf Sport hosting their first-ever major conference in May, entitled “ReDEAFining Deaf Sport”, which aimed to tackle key issues for deaf athletes.

Interested clubs and facilities can register their interest by contacting Clive Breedon, UK Deaf Sport national participation officer at [email protected] and more information on the scheme can be found here.

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