Mulholland secures the PM backing for whizz kidz "Generation Inspired" Report

Greg Mulholland MP (Leeds North West), has called on the Prime Minister to welcome Whizz Kidz 'Generation Inspired?' report, as a great opportunity to use the Paralympic games legacy to improve the lives of young disabled people. Greg then joined Whizz-Kidz beneficiary and double gold Paralympic medallist Hannah Cockroft MBE and two Whizz-Kidz Ambassadors - Kidz-Board representative Joel Connor-Saunders and aspiring wheelchair racer Charlotte Moore to present the report to number 10 Downing Street.

At the end of 2012, Whizz-Kidz conducted a survey of its young Ambassadors, and their parents, asking them to tell us about their hopes for a Paralympic legacy, and their ideas to improve opportunities for young disabled people. Whizz-Kidz has compiled a manifesto based on the survey findings, and identified five key recommendations that would ultimately improve the lives of disabled children and young people.

'Generation Inspired?' Five Recommendations are :

1. 1. Communities to work together, so that schools, disability sports clubs, parents and young people can share expertise, facilities and opportunities to play sport

1. 2. Young people to play an active role in shaping decisions that affect their lives

1. 3. Employers to offer accessible work placements and internships - helping create more disabled role models

1. 4. Transport operators to treat young disabled people like any other passenger

1. 5. More young disabled people visible in media, fashion and advertising

Commenting, Greg said: "We were all so inspired by the amazing Paralympic games in London last year, which were a huge triumph, not just for sport but for perceptions of disability. The launch of the "Generation Inspired?" report by Whizz Kidz, will ensure that we capitalise on the legacy of the games and improve access to sport for disabled people, as well as other areas of society. I was delighted to bring the report to the attention of the Prime Minister during Prime Ministers questions and then join double gold Paralympic medallist Hannah Cockroft MBE and Whizz-Kidz Ambassadors - Kidz-Board representative Joel Connor-Saunders and aspiring wheelchair racer Charlotte Moore to present the report to number 10 Downing Street. I look forward to working with Whizz Kidz and decision makers from across the board to see the recommendations of the report implemented to ensure we make the most of the amazing Paralympic legacy and improve opportunities for young disabled people across the country".

Hannah Cockroft MBE said: "The day I received my wheelchair from Whizz-Kidz changed my life. My hope for the legacy of the Paralympics is that more young disabled people will not just be inspired - but have the opportunities - to go for gold and succeed in whatever they want to do."

Whizz-Kidz Chief Executive Ruth Owen said: "The London Paralympics shone a spotlight on the talent, skill and ambition of disabled people. However it will be a hugely missed opportunity if we don't capitalise on the legacy of the Games - and not just to create more access to sport, but to offer greater opportunity for young disabled people across all areas of society. The young wheelchair users we speak to tell us they face invisible and visible barriers every day. It's essential to keep on challenging these and make an enduring difference."