LEADING figures in disability awareness have thrown their support behind a major new research project by a North-East university which is aiming to find out why disabled children are being left behind in sport.

Academics say there has been a continuous trend of broken promises and inactivity since the 2012 Paralympics in London, which was supposed to be a springboard to improve the daily lives of disabled people and provide increased opportunities to participate in sport.

But, instead of a new lease of life for disabled children, Tom Gibbons and Stuart Braye of Teesside University argue that disabled youngsters are still treated as outsiders and are not being given the opportunities to take part in sport while at school.

They cite training, attitudes, facilities and funding as the reasons disabled children are being left behind when it comes to physical activity in education.

Their research is shining the spotlight on initial teacher training (ITT) and whether PE teachers across the country feel adequately trained to include disabled children in lessons.

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Britain’s most decorated ever Paralympian and an Honorary Graduate of Teesside University, is backing the research and hopes it will make a difference to the lives of young disabled people.

She said: “Physical activity is an incredibly important component of a young person’s development, and this is equally true for disabled children. It is crucial that there is quality access for disabled children and there is a need for more direct data to understand their experience to be able to provide the correct resources.

“Many disabled people are unsure about what physical activity to do and more information about what happens at school level will be able to establish good practice.”

Mr Braye, a senior lecturer in sport and exercise, became a disabled person in 1985 at the age of 26. He went on to compete in the 1992 Paralympics in Barcelona, securing a bronze medal in the 400 metres.

“The 2012 Paralympics were supposed to kick-start a revolution for disabled people, but we are yet to witness any significant changes,” explained Stuart.

“PE is where most children experience their first taste of sport and are either turned on or turned off.

"But disabled children are missing out as they are not getting the opportunities to even participate. The general feeling among PE teachers is that they don’t feel suitably trained to include disabled children in their sessions.

“This can have a significant negative impact on disabled children both in terms of their physical and mental development."