A sports team of local disabled and non-disabled people will make its first ever tournament appearance this weekend in the Hackney Wheelchair Basketball Tournament.
No Limits was set up earlier this year with the aim of encouraging disabled and non-disabled people to play sports such as basketball and badminton together.
Alan Walsh, sports co-ordinator with the Learning Trust, said: “There are approximately 5,000 school children in Hackney who are classified with special educational needs, many of whom are at state schools and don’t get the access to sporting facilities that they need. This club gives them a great opportunity to play sport.
“The club also helps other people realise how tough but rewarding sports like wheelchair basketball can be. It’s been a great success.”
Team member Ann Flynn, 17, said: “The club is fun because it’s something different, and better than staying at home watching TV.”
Watch below as Hackney Post reporter Ben Hewitt (left) gets coaching lessons in wheelchair basketball from the Learning Trust’s Alan Walsh.
Reporter: Ben Hewitt
Editor: Nathan Bleaken
i find it very strange that John has completely ignored the most interesting point that this team is making its first appearance in Hackney. Additionally this team with both disabled and non disabled people have done far more for the greater integration and support for disabled people than he ever will by quibbling over a few words….none of which intended to insult the disabled community.
I'm sorry, but this is the kind of nonsense that gives political correctness a bad name.
If disabled is an acceptable term to you, then able-bodied surely seems appropriate. Even if you think it isn't, everyone must accept how quickly this kind of terminology changes – from being the advised term, to being outdated – and not react with outrage because somebody contravenes your view of how language should be used.
As for your comment about "not-yet-disabled", I think that clearly shows that you are trying to make a political point here. It is obvious that no-one – the sports club, Hackney Council, or the journalist – was trying to cause the slightest bit of offence.
And Michael, sorry I disagree with your decision. If the reader has a problem, with what can, at its worst, be only the most minor of transgressions, he should take it up with Hackney Council who used the term to describe their own project. (I wouldn't be so rude as to even suggest that you're too lazy to look it up, but this is their number: 020 8356 3000)
Whilst I respect the fact that disability guidelines are in place, I disagree with the point that the term "able-bodied" should not be used. I was recently speaking to a disabled person and they used the term "able-bodied" several times during the conversation even after I said 'non-disabled' at one point.
Thank you for your comment John. I consulted the NUJ guide that you linked to and have now updated the post so it reads 'non-disabled' instead of 'abled-bodied' in all instances. I will also pass on your comment to the journalist who wrote the article.
I am shocked to see students of journalism using an antiquated and derisory term such as "able-bodied" within the context of a story on disability. I refer you – and your colleagues – to Hacked Off – A Journalist's Guide to Disability produced jointly by the Disability Now newspaper and the National Union of Journalists.
Please check out:
http://www.scope.org.uk/disablism/downloads/hacke…
Now if you really wanted a story … you could investigate how much money Hackney Council and the Learning Trust has wasted on publicity for a club promoting sport for "able-bodied" and disabled people.
And if you are too lazy to check out the guide and you're wondering … what is the correct term to use? Most people would say "disabled and non-disabled". Myself, I prefer "disabled and not-yet-disabled" because, if you live long enough, you too are more than likely to join our ranks.
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