According to Sport England’s Active Lives Survey over 50% of deaf adults do less than 30 minutes of sport or physical activity a week. People who are deaf are twice as likely to experience mental health problems compared to people without hearing loss (Royal National Institute for Deaf People).
Deaf and hard‑of‑hearing people face unnecessary barriers when accessing sport and physical activity but with simple adaptations and greater awareness, activity providers, clubs and leisure centres can make their sessions more inclusive, so everyone feels able to take part. By improving accessibility, we not only remove barriers, we unlock the wellbeing benefits of being active for more people across Kent and Medway.
Communicate Clearly
- Face participants when speaking and ensure good lighting for lip‑reading.
- Reduce or remove background noise during instruction.
- Provide written or visual versions of session plans, rules and safety briefings.
- Share key information in advance, especially for new participants.
- Use clear signs, gestures and demonstrations to support verbal communication.
- Ask participants about their preferred communication methods.
Adapt Environment
- Improve lighting and reduce echo where possible.
- Offer quiet spaces for one‑to‑one conversations.
- Ensure essential information is always provided visually as well as verbally.
- For swimming: provide written poolside instructions, visual safety information and agreed hand signals.
Use Supportive Technology
- Offer text or caption‑based communications for updates and messages.
- Use whiteboards, screens or visual timetables during sessions.
- Encourage use of vibration‑enabled devices or apps that support communication.
Build a Welcoming Culture
- Ensure staff and volunteers complete deaf awareness training.
- Promote your inclusive approach on websites, booking pages and venue signage.
- Check in regularly with participants to make sure they feel included and informed.
- Normalise inclusive communication techniques as part of your everyday practice.
Practical Examples:
- Walking and running groups: Give briefings before moving off; schedule pause points to check understanding.
- Sports clubs: Embed hand signals into coaching practice; reduce music levels during sessions.
- Leisure centres: Improve acoustics; ensure staff know how to support deaf participants confidently.
- Swimming sessions: Use whiteboards and visual demonstrations; provide pre‑session videos or written instructions.
Trying matters. Even small adjustments can make a significant difference to someone’s experience.
Useful Resources:
- Hi Kent for Local support, training and practical guidance
- UK Deaf Sport for National guidance on inclusion in sport
