Belfast Council has acknowledged a dearth of facilities for people with autism in its leisure facilities and vowed to transform access for people with disability.
At Belfast City Council ’s recent meeting of its People and Communities Committee, People Before Profit Councillor Michael Collins proposed a motion stating that the council “recognises the shortage of services available for people with disabilities” and seeks to expand with the management company “to expand and promote inclusive services within our leisure centres to ensure an accessible and welcoming environment for everyone”.
The motion plans to improve accessibility for people with autism and other disabilities in Belfast’s 12 leisure centres and aims to promote inclusive sessions for people with disabilities, as is already the case with Lagan Valley Complex and Dundonald Ice Bowl in Lisburn. In 2014, Belfast City Council’s leisure services were outsourced to the private company Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), who now operate under the 'Better' brand.
