The Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 (UK) states a person is disabled if they have a mental or physical impairment which has an adverse effect on a persons ability to carry out normal day to day activities, this effect is substantial and the effect is long term (lasted more than 12 months and likely to last for a further 12 months or the rest of that persons life).

For many people it is not difficult to identify with the word ‘disability’, for all of us there are things we can’t do (but wish we could) or things that hold us back from reaching our full potential at different stages of our lives. For some individuals a disability may restrict them from participation in a variety of environments for a considerable length of time, possibly for the entirety of their lives. As a result for these people they may be given some form of assistance to encourage and support them in a particular situation. In our present society there are a number of ways that assistance can be given in order for people with a disability to participate in daily life; modifications to buildings, development of specialist equipment and the training of individuals to assist them. Potential players who may have disabilities are less likely to take part in football and physical activity for a variety of reasons without clubs creating barriers which make the task even more difficult.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that negative attitudes towards people with a disability still exist. Much of this negative attitude may stem from not understanding the disability and an embarrassment surrounding not being informed enough to deal with both their feelings or their uneasiness. People often regard people with disabilities with various feelings which can range from pity to discrimination and distrust. When people are not sure of their feelings they erect barriers either unintentionally or, more worryingly, intentionally.