Calls for better planning to get people with disabilities active

Sports and physical activity advocates are calling for better urban planning to ensure people with disabilities can keep active, as World Physical Activity Day approaches.

The annual event encourages local activities to get people exercising and the theme for this year's event, on 6 April, is 'No Barriers to Physical Activity'.

The American College of Sports Medicine says current barriers facing people with disabilities include a lack of nearby parks or footpaths, walking trails, safe neighbourhoods to walk and play.

Organisations like the Inclusive Fitness Coalition advocate for changes to the built environment that allow physical activity for all and last month London hosted Fit Cities-Fit World - a forum examining the role of urban design on promoting active populations.

Organisers of World Physical Activity Day say the benefits of activity and exercise include health care savings and reduced environmental impact.