NEW YORK, June 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- More than half
of individuals with disabilities in the U.S. have increased their
sports participation over the past five years, according to
the Disability Inclusion in Sports
Today survey released by TD Bank, America's Most
Convenient Bank®.
The bank surveyed 503 individuals with disabilities across the
U.S. to examine sports participation on the heels of the
17th Annual Achilles Hope & Possibility Road
Race by TD Bank, one of the world's largest road races supporting
individuals with disabilities, which was held on Sunday, June 23 in New
York City's Central
Park.
"Our support of Hope & Possibility reflects our focus on
what people can do," said Andrew Bregenzer,
TD's Regional President, Metro New York. "This means
empowering people to achieve their full potential, based solely on
their strengths and abilities."
Hope & Possibility has grown significantly from its
inaugural run in 2002 when 500 participants crossed the finish
line, compared with more than 5,800 in 2019.
"We have seen a remarkable increase in people with disabilities
competing in road races over the years," said Genna Griffith, Director of Special Projects for
Achilles International. "We have advocated to make road races more
accessible to people with disabilities, so they have equal
opportunity to compete. This is a trend that we expect will
continue as access and awareness of resources continue to drive
inclusion."
Strong motivation to expand sports inclusion
The
Disability Inclusion in Sports Today survey results showed a robust
desire to participate more actively in sports among individuals
with disabilities.
Four of 10 individuals with disabilities surveyed across all age
groups who currently do not participate in sports would like to do
so. The following reasons were cited as considerations to motivate
their participation:
- Improving your health (45%)
- Convenience (18%)
- Funding (13%)
- Better Accommodations (13%)
- Better access (12%)
Despite strong motivation, challenges continue to hinder optimal
participation, including lack of time (36%), physical demand and/or
injury (34%), high costs (30%), and transportation (29%).
Moreover, 70% of respondents were unaware of organizations
that offer relevant support. The study suggests that sports
participation among individuals with disabilities has the potential
to reach 50%, twice the rate of the general U.S.
population.
The top cited ways to accelerate sports inclusion are by
offering accessible training facilities or access (53%), increasing
awareness (48%), expanding access to sports medicine (36%), and
enhancing funding (35%).
Participation rates vary by age
- Among those currently involved in sports, 52% say their
participation has increased compared to five years ago. This
proportion is higher among those under age 40 (71%) and declines to
20% for people over 60.
- 31% say their participation has remained the same compared
to five years ago.
- Among those who are participating less, age is the
dominant factor, increasing from 2% of those under 40 to 40% of
those aged 60+.
- Among those who are not currently involved in sports, 82%
who participated in the past two years and 35% of those who have
never played sports would be interested in participating.
Walking and swimming lap the rest
The survey found
that individual sports are significantly more popular than team
sports, as illustrated by the following list, ranked by
popularity:
- Walking (62%)
- Swimming (54%)
- Bicycling/Cycling (36%)
- Golf (26%)
- Running (26%)
- Basketball (23%)
Disability inclusion is good
business
Businesses and organizations that
support diversity inclusion enjoy enhanced brand equity, according
to the survey.
In fact, nearly nine in ten respondents strongly/somewhat agree
that they would be more likely to do business with a company
that supports causes that are important to them, specifically
those that help individuals with disabilities. They would also
be more loyal to a company that actively supports this community.
Nearly three in four respondents (74%) would
consider switching their business to a company that offers
accessible products and services.
Sports participation hits its stride
The survey shows
that sports participation rates are not only higher than ever but
are expected to grow among individuals with disabilities.
TD Bank and Achilles International share a deep and abiding
commitment to enable people of all abilities to achieve their full
potential as embodied by The Ready Commitment, TD's
corporate citizenship program, which empowers diverse
communities to prosper in a changing world.
"We recognize that promoting inclusion contributes to a more
robust, innovative and productive economy for all," Bregenzer
remarked. "We are proud of what TD and Achilles have accomplished
so far, and we look forward to partnering together to facilitate a
more accessible sports community — and world — for people of all
abilities."
Survey Methodology
The total sample includes 503
respondents who are people with disabilities. The sample was
sourced from MARU's panels and partners. A random national sample
size of 503 has a margin of error of +/- 4.4%. Data has been
weighted by age, gender and region to reflect the population. The
survey was fielded June 2 to June 6,
2019 by MARU/Matchbox.
About MARU/Matchbox
MARU/Matchbox is a professional
services firm dedicated to improving its clients' business
outcomes. It delivers its services through teams of sector-specific
research consultants that have technology in their DNA,
specializing in the use of Insight Community and Voice of Market
technology. MARU/ Matchbox's research drives decision-making across
all aspects of customer experience, including innovation, product,
branding, commercialization and communications.
About TD Bank, America's Most Convenient
Bank®
TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is
one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 9
million customers with a full range of retail, small business and
commercial banking products and services at more than 1,200
convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro
D.C., the Carolinas and Florida.
In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private
banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth®, and
vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto
Finance. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit
www.td.com/us. Find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDBank
and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TDBank_US.
TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank
Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services
company in North America. The
Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New
York and Toronto stock
exchanges under the ticker symbol "TD". To learn more, visit
www.td.com/us.
About Achilles International
Achilles International is
a global organization serving 25,000 athletes with disabilities in
over 51 chapters in 29 countries. In the US, there are 31
chapters in 22 states. Achilles athletes have disabilities that
include amputations, paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, multiple
sclerosis, cerebral palsy, autism and visual impairment. Since
1983, Achilles International has played a powerful role in
addressing the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities,
as well as providing life-changing opportunities for
achievement
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SOURCE TD Bank