Big Rise in Swimmers with a Disability Marks Major Leap for Inclusion

“I think it's just such an important message, that if you have a disability, you can thrive in a mainstream environment.”

Toni Shaw
Paralympian Swimmer

Scotland is seeing a major rise in the number of children with disabilities learning to swim, with new figures showing a 69% increase in just one year.

A report published by Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water reveals that of the almost 82,000 children who took part in the Learn to Swim Framework up to March this year, 2,745 were registered as disabled, a significant jump from 2024.

Importantly, the data shows that 81% of swimmers with a disability are now learning in mainstream or non-disability-specific classes, highlighting a shift towards more inclusive and supportive lesson environments across Scotland.

Learn to Swim is a National Framework delivered by 38 leisure trusts and aquatic providers in more than 160 pools across Scotland, with the shared vision to create ‘Generation Swim’, a generation of confident, safer and competent swimmers who benefit from the wider health and social rewards that swimming can offer.

The figures have been published to coincide with the annual #SeeMyAbility campaign, run by the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework - Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water. The campaign aims to break down participation barriers for individuals with disabilities and spread the message that swimming is for everyone.

Peer Learning

“It’s great to see the Learn to Swim Framework reaching more children with disabilities and learning alongside their peers,” said Paul Wilson, Disability Performance Development Manager at Scottish Swimming.

“We recognise that the learning environment has to suit individual needs but the fact that more children are learning in mainstream classes shows how far we’ve come in terms of teachers’ understanding and ability to support children with disabilities.“

The Learn to Swim Framework is open to everyone regardless of age, ability or skill levels, with the partnership committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all.

Medal Champion

Paralympian Toni Shaw is an ambassador for the National Learn to Swim Framework and spearheads the See My Ability campaign. She started swimming aged just one through the Learn to Swim Framework in Aberdeen. Born without a right hand, she has gone on to medal on the world stage and has represented GB at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics where she won a bronze medal in the women's 400m freestyle S9 event.

“I think it's so important for anyone with a disability to be in a mainstream club, I was really lucky that my parents put me into a mainstream class” says Toni. “It's where my love for swimming started. I think it is just such an important message, that if you have a disability, you can thrive in a mainstream environment. Not everyone's going to want to be a competitive swimmer but having the skill to be in the water and be safe is so important.”

The ‘See My Ability’ campaign has championed inclusivity since its inception in 2019 and encourages lesson providers to create the best environment available, and if appropriate adapt lessons, to ensure children develop and progress.

Water Safety

Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, said: “Ensuring people of all ages and abilities have access to learn to swim to help them feel confident and safer in the water is vital – especially in a country like Scotland where there are miles of lochs, rivers, reservoirs and coastlines.

“We’re proud to support a programme that is accessible to all – and this is not only important from a safety perspective, as individuals will also get to experience the wider social, health and fitness benefits that swimming can offer.

Paul Wilson added, “This is a great example of partnership working. Inclusion is high on the agenda among Learn to Swim providers and the Scottish Swimming-Scottish Water Framework supports this with resources, training and videos to help teachers better understand different disabilities.”

To find out more about the Learn to Swim programme visit Scottish Swimming's website at Learn to Swim.