2019 Solheim Cup: equality impact assessment

Evidence

The headline data, engagement and information gathered to underpin this results EQIA includes:

Disabled people

• In 2011, the proportion of people in Scotland with a long-term activity-limiting health problem or disability was 20% (1,040,000 people) (2011 Scotland census);
• Disabled people in Scotland are less active, and are less likely to participate in sport (Equality and Sport Research- Sportscotland 2016);
• In 2014, sports participation (excluding walking) for adults in Scotland without a health condition was 59 per cent. This fell to a fifth (18%) for adults with a condition resulting in major limitations and a third (34%) for adults with a condition resulting in minor limitations. Disabled people are less likely to use leisure facilities. However, when disabled people do take part in sport and exercise, they are almost as likely as others to take part frequently (Equality and Sport Research- Sportscotland 2016);
• 95% (of respondents) try to find disabled access information about somewhere before visiting for the first time. 61% (of respondents) say sports venues have generally good accessibility (Euan's Guide- 2017 survey);
• In 2010 addressing the needs of people with autism was recognised as a national priority. Following a period of consultation, the Scottish Government and COSLA launched the Scottish Strategy for Autism in November 2011;
• Commonwealth Games 2014 - 4% of visitors (estimated 28000 people) stated that they had a particular access needs including a mobility/other physical impairment; visual impairment, hearing impairment; or learning difficulty (Glasgow Life data);
• There is a strong body of literature suggesting that negative attitudes can be a major barrier to the engagement of disabled people in sport (As summarised from a range of sources in UN SDP IWG (2008) Harnessing the Power of Sport for Development and Peace (Sport and Disability Chapter))
• Research consistently stresses that it is important to understand lifestyles of disabled people in relation to sport, listen to disabled people and involve them in the development of opportunities. (Equality and Sport research- Sportscotland 2016).
• Commonwealth Games 2014 - 4% of visitors (estimated 28,000 people) stated that they had any of the following conditions or impairments, expected to last 12 months or more (Glasgow Life):
• Mobility/other physical impairment – 2% of visitors
• Visual impairment – 1% of visitors
• Hearing impairment – 1% of visitors
• Learning difficulty – less than 1% of visitors
• Something else – less than 1% of visitors

Age/gender

• In Scotland, adults in the 16 to 24-year-old age group report higher levels of sports participation than other age groups. In children, 13 to 15-year-old girls in particular participate in sport markedly less than other age groups (Sportscotland- Equality and Sport Research- January 2016).
• Lower participation by women in sport begins at around 13 to 15 years old, when substantially more boys begin to report participation in sport than girls (71% of boys compared with 56% of girls) (Scottish Government (2015), Active Scotland Outcomes: Indicator Equality Analysis).
• More men (57%) than women (46%) reported participation in sport and exercise (excluding walking) in the last four weeks (Scottish Government (2015), Active Scotland Outcomes: Indicator Equality Analysis)
• Older men (aged 65 and over) were more likely than older women to take part in sport and exercise (including walking) in the last four weeks (62% compared with 54%).
• On average, less than 5 per cent of sports coverage in national and local print media is dedicated to women's sport. (Packer, C. et al. (2014) No lasting legacy: no change in reporting of women's sports in the British print media with the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics).

LGBTI

• 79% (of respondents) believe that there is a problem with homophobia in sport. 66% (of respondents) think there is a problem with transphobia in sport. 62% (of respondents) have witnessed or experienced homophobia or transphobia in sport. 5% (of respondents) think enough is being done to tackle homophobia and transphobia in sport (Out for Sport research report- Equality Network);
• Partner feedback related to the Commonwealth Games highlighted opportunities to welcome the LGBTI community through gender neutral toilets and also specific staff training to further boost respect and understanding for any security searches (partner engagement).
• Scotland consistently ranks in the top 3 countries for LGBTI equality in the ILGA Europe's Rainbow Index.
• LGBTI visitors do attach significant importance to the warm welcome they can expect from a destination and also how they will be treated in their accommodation and how safe they will be (Equality Network/VisitScotland research).