Friday 20th August 2010
Today the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) announces that the management of the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) will move from consultants MLS to within the EFDS structure.
In preparation for the forthcoming incorporation of the IFI within the Paralympic Legacy Plan, MLS is now working with the EFDS to support this transition.
The IFI programme supports the fitness industry to become more inclusive, catering for the needs of disabled and non-disabled people alike. Since 2001, through a range of projects and products the Initiative has supported facilities across England to create an inclusive service, increasing participation by disabled people.
The programme remains an important aspect of the EFDS strategy and EFDS will be working with the Government and other organisations to secure funding in order to deliver the Paralympic Legacy, increasing the number of IFI Mark accredited facilities throughout the UK.
MLS will remain the first point of contact until the 1 September 2010 when the formal handover to EFDS will be completed. From this point the initial EFDS contact will be Chris Ratcliffe- Director of Innovation and Development.
The IFI London Project continues to operate and be managed by Interactive, in partnership with the London Development Agency (LDA) and the Greater London Authority (GLA). The project will continue to work towards its target of accrediting 150 IFI Mark facilities by 2013 – ensuring that they are accessible to and inclusive of disabled people.
About the announcement, EFDS Chief Executive Barry Horne said:
“EFDS is very proud of the IFI programme and the success it has generated through MLS. MLS have been our Project Management Agents for the IFI since its inception and indeed conducted the initial research that proved the need. They have been instrumental in raising over £20million of public and private funding to deliver the programme over the last ten years. We thank them for their major contribution to the programme. The increase in the number of fitness facilities and equipment now available for disabled people to use is credit to MLS and the legacy they have already provided. We look forward to continuing to deliver these outcomes for the benefit of disabled people ”.
