Jonathan Shaw, Minister for Disabled People, supports Britain’s Special Olympians.

Having never skied before myself, seeing our athletes at the recent Special Olympics World Winter Games hurtle down what appeared to me to be the most frightening ski runs was truly impressive! The confidence and ability of these skiers, who adapted easily to the slopes of Idaho was inspiring. It was with joy and high spirits I supported our skiers at this year’s event while leading them in the opening procession was a very proud moment. I’d like to congratulate them on their 13 medals as well as voice my praise for their coaches and staff, many of whom were volunteers.

It is my firm belief that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in sports, at all levels. I praise the work of my colleagues at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the many sporting organisations throughout the country, who are working to achieve inclusion for disabled people in sporting activities in the run up to 2012. Ensuring disabled people have greater access to leisure opportunities, including sport, is important so that they are able to enjoy independent lives. In fact, one of the aims of our five-year Independent Living Strategy – launched in March 2008 – was to increase choice and control, and promote greater access to housing, transport, health, employment and leisure opportunities for all disabled people.

I am particularly keen, as Minister for Disabled People, to see the profile of disability sport raised in this country and that the efforts and achievements of all our athletes are recognised and celebrated. The more we promote disability sport, the more disabled people will be inspired to take up sport – and that could include the Paralympic and Special Olympic athletes and champions of tomorrow. It can change social perceptions of disability too, by showing how disabled people are more than able to participate in the same activities as non-disabled people.

While representing the UK in Idaho to champion the participation of disabled people in sport, I was privileged enough to take part in a discussion with young people – both disabled and non-disabled from across the globe – on promoting awareness and understanding of disability issues. They were interested to hear more about new UK initiatives including Playground to Podium, which will work with more than 22,500 young disabled people, and 2,000 disabled adults, during the next four years – widening the talent pool at the base of Paralympic sports.

It’s exciting times for us in the run up to 2012 and I, like most, am looking forward to watching all our athletes take part. In the meantime I will carry on my work to ensure disabled athletes receive just as much attention as their non-disabled counterparts when competing for their country.