Why Support Us?

The UK Sports Association (UKSA) is a unique organisation. There is simply no other organisation in the UK that carries out the work that we do and without us being able to continue many athletes with learning disability across the United Kingdom will be denied the opportunity of competing at a performance level through quality competition - some may even have the honour of representing Great Britain.

We work with children, young people and adults with learning disability. A learning disability cannot be "cured". It affects a person for their whole life and is often evident from birth. Learning disability is not a mental illness or dyslexia. It is often a hidden disability - you cannot see it by looking at someone. Learning disability could be described as someone who was born with an inability to learn and acquire skills at the same rate or level as their peers and it could include conditions such as Down syndrome and sometimes autism. Learning disability inhibits how a person learns; performs every day functions that others take for granted, and it inhibits communication, understanding, social and daily living skills.

Sport is a structured way in which people with learning disability can gain personal fulfillment, better health, life skills and confidence and through structured and quality competition enables them to achieve their sporting ambition. For some, this will mean competing for Great Britain and winning medals.

UKSA receives limited, but essential funding from UK Sport that contributes to our core costs. Whilst we are grateful for this important support, it does not go far enough to cover our running costs, allow us to develop and importantly allow us to support the developing and existing talented athletes on their journey through sport. Sport has a hugely important role and influence on people with learning disability as they can really excel and be seen for what they can do, not for what they can't.

UKSA wants to ensure athletes with a learning disability are able to compete at every competitive level and this takes funding.

Without your support our work cannot continue - you are an important link in making this happen and we hope you will get involved!