DISABLED people in Blackbird Leys could soon be karate-chopping their way to confidence with the arrival of a pioneering charity.

The Disability Karate Federation, set up in 2013 by Oxford resident Ray Sweeney, is moving its headquarters into Blackbird Leys Community Centre.

It’s an administrative centre for now, but Mr Sweeney said he planned to start holding free disability karate sessions in the Leys as soon as possible.

The federation, which has supported 2,000 people around the UK, uses special equipment and adapted sequences to make martial arts more accessible – right up to black belt.

Mr Sweeney, 58, of Mill Lane, Marston, said: “We were founded to improve the lives of people who are disabled, disadvantaged or living with poverty all over the country.

“Blackbird Leys is a great fit for us. We need a permanent base, and permanent staff, which should come in about the next six months.”

The charity was formed in the wake of the 2012 London Olympics.

Research after the games ended found that 87 per cent of people with disabilities wanted to take up more sport, and only 17 per cent were participating in any sport at all.

Mr Sweeney said: “That is an absolutely enormous shortfall, and the reasons were that facilities weren’t accessible and coaches weren’t trained.

“People think that ‘inclusion’ means disabled people can come to a class, but it also means participation by whatever means, not just bringing them along to a farce.”

Over the past three years more than 2,000 people with physical and learning disabilities and mental problems have learned with the Disability Karate Federation.

Coaches are specially-trained and drills adapted so participants can achieve all their belts.

Mr Sweeney added that the effect on students over the years was “astonishing” and would “improve health, self-esteem and confidence and also cognitive change”.

He said: “One boy with severe autism and severe brain damage had never looked anybody in the eye; he only either screamed or left. After two years of teaching I had managed to make a connection and he looked me in the eye for the first time, then started touching my face and smiling. The place went crazy, they couldn’t believe it.”

The federation is due to sign a lease agreement for the community centre with Oxford City Council in the near future.

Current Aylesbury coach Dirk Van der Merwe, who will be helping out in Blackbird Leys after the move, was paralysed after a car accident.

The 43-year-old went on to achieve a black belt in karate and now helps others to do the same. He said: “We want to reach more people.”