TY - CONF

T1 - The Activity Trap - Benefits or Being Fit

T2 - Public Health England Annual Conference 2018

AU - Johnson, Elliott

PY - 2018/9/11

Y1 - 2018/9/11

N2 - Introduction: Anecdotal evidence from EFDS’ partners has identified a fear among disabled people of losing benefits as a result of being seen to be active. Disabled people are twice as likely as non-disabled people to be inactive but at least seven in 10 would like to do more.EFDS, on behalf of Dwarf Sports Association UK (DSAuk), undertook a study to examine this fear, with a particular emphasis on experiences of the main disability benefits (PIP, DLA and ESA).Method: EFDS commissioned FlexMR who employed a mixed-methods approach. An online quantitative survey of 206 disabled people was designed to measure activity levels and particular experiences of benefits as well as recruit for a second stage. Twenty-six of those with physical impairments took part in this qualitative stage and discussed their experiences in depth in an online private ‘diary’ and a question board shared with all participants.Results:• 65% rely on benefits to be active• 47% are fearful of losing their benefits if they are more active• 34% have had, or know someone who has had, benefits removed as a result of being active• 55% are likely to be more active if benefits couldn’t be taken awayConclusion: The fear among disabled people that being active could leadto losing benefits and, therefore, their independence, is a real and quantifiable issue in increasing activity levels. It is essential that broader socialconsiderations are addressed by those responsible for promoting physicalactivity and policy makers more generally.External funding details: DSAuk and Sport England.

AB - Introduction: Anecdotal evidence from EFDS’ partners has identified a fear among disabled people of losing benefits as a result of being seen to be active. Disabled people are twice as likely as non-disabled people to be inactive but at least seven in 10 would like to do more.EFDS, on behalf of Dwarf Sports Association UK (DSAuk), undertook a study to examine this fear, with a particular emphasis on experiences of the main disability benefits (PIP, DLA and ESA).Method: EFDS commissioned FlexMR who employed a mixed-methods approach. An online quantitative survey of 206 disabled people was designed to measure activity levels and particular experiences of benefits as well as recruit for a second stage. Twenty-six of those with physical impairments took part in this qualitative stage and discussed their experiences in depth in an online private ‘diary’ and a question board shared with all participants.Results:• 65% rely on benefits to be active• 47% are fearful of losing their benefits if they are more active• 34% have had, or know someone who has had, benefits removed as a result of being active• 55% are likely to be more active if benefits couldn’t be taken awayConclusion: The fear among disabled people that being active could leadto losing benefits and, therefore, their independence, is a real and quantifiable issue in increasing activity levels. It is essential that broader socialconsiderations are addressed by those responsible for promoting physicalactivity and policy makers more generally.External funding details: DSAuk and Sport England.

KW - Disability

KW - Disabled people

KW - Benefits

KW - Welfare

KW - Conditionality

KW - Inclusion

KW - Sport

KW - Physical activity

KW - Social gradient

KW - Health inequalities

M3 - Poster

Y2 - 11 September 2018 through 12 September 2018

ER -