Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: For children with disabilities, participation in group physical activities can promote inclusion and a sense of belonging, enhance physical functioning, and improve mental health. Yet, there are very few youth sports programs that offer adaptive programs for children with disabilities. Why do some youth sports programs offer these special programs? The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the experiences and challenges of select youth gymnastics and dance programs in the eastern part of the U.S. that offer adaptive programs for children with disabilities. Nine program directors individually participated in zoom interviews between 45 and 60 min. Results revealed the background of program directors (limited disability experience), why they started their programs (parent requests/personal experiences), challenges faced when creating and sustaining their program (recruitment of participants), advertising the program and recruiting participants (mostly word of mouth), and recruiting and training coaches (within the gym).
Source: Disabilities
Institution: University of Virginia
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,207
OpenAlex ID: W4407656017