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Martin's diary

No disabled child should be left out of PE lessons

Watch: ParalympicsGB athletes talk about their experiences in school

When I was in primary school, I wasn’t allowed to join in during PE or be part of the school football team because my teachers were worried I’d get hurt or injured because of my disability.

I found it really frustrating at the time.

I'm surprised to hear that things still haven't changed because it turns out young disabled people today are still experiencing some of the same barriers I faced in school 30 years ago.

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Although many children might feel involved in the classroom, when PE lessons start disabled children don't get the same opportunities

I know schools in Scotland are already back in class after the summer break and schools in the rest of the UK re-open their doors to pupils throughout this week.

The fact that there are young disabled people out there missing out on PE or sports during school time blows my mind.

I also have to say, I feel sorry for the teachers experiencing this issue and having to be the ones who make the difficult decision to leave a student out during sports activities.

I understand that when it comes to any school kid, safety comes first and all decisions are made with proper thought and care.

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A lot will have to change for all disabled children to get access to sport - including making sure more disabled people choose to become teachers

Having said that, something has to change! We can't have anyone being left out of PE, disabled or not.

What are ParalympicsGB trying to do?

ParalympicsGB has launched the Equal Play campaign and is calling on the UK government to give children and teachers the tools to make sure no child misses out.

The campaign highlights four areas that could make things easier for teachers and schools:

  1. Empower teachers with the right tools, understanding and resources to deliver truly inclusive PE

  2. Adapt teacher training help the next generation of teachers to have the skills and confidence to deliver truly inclusive PE

  3. Redefine how PE is seen within the school curriculum, and making sure it becomes a priority

  4. Increase the number of disabled people training to become teachers

London 2012 Paralympics showed a generation of disabled children that there’s a place for them in sport and beyond.

Now, here in Paris, ParalympicsGB is calling on the UK government to give children and teachers the tools to make sure no child misses out.

It's a shame that this problem still exists.

I believe now is the perfect time to make PE and sport a fun and accessible period for everyone.

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy visited ParalympicsGB House in Paris yesterday and offered her support for the Equal Play campaign.

It's my hope that we see positive change sooner rather than later.

Find our more about Super Movers for Every Body, the inclusive sport initiative from the BBC.

Experience the Paris Paralympics with Martin: