Author(s)

Sara E. Corning, Caroline J. Ketcham^*, Eric E. Hall

Department of Exercise Science, Elon University, Elon, NC, USA.

Participation in sports provides opportunity for children to improve cognitively, physically, and socially. The purpose of this study was to explore family experiences and expectations in sport experiences specifically targeted to children with disabilities, and the relationship to volunteer/coach training. An online questionnaire was distributed to parents with children in these sport experiences (n = 56). Measures of quality of life were included as well as open-ended questions around motivation to join programs, expectations, challenges, role volunteers/coaches play, and barriers of program involvement for their child and family. Results showed that family quality of life and well-being on the pediatric quality of life inventory were both significantly lower for children with multiple disabilities compared to one disability (p < 0.05). Qualitative analyses suggest improving aspects such as organizational structure of sport programs, accessibility, volunteer/coach training, and ensuring appropriate accommodations to improve inclusion of children. These recommendations could be implemented to benefit not only the children with disabilities and their families, but all participants involved in youth sport programs.

Accommodations, Neurodiversity, Volunteer Training, Inclusion

Corning, S. , Ketcham, C. and Hall, E. (2020) Striking Down Barriers: Parents’ Perspectives of Youth Sport Programs for Their Children with Disabilities. Advances in Physical Education, 10, 459-475. doi: 10.4236/ape.2020.104036.