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Disabilities
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Leisure and Sport Activities among People with Disabilities: Opportunities and...
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Leisure and Sport Activities among People with Disabilities: Opportunities and Challenges

A special issue of Disabilities (ISSN 2673-7272).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 14535

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Kris Southby

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Health Promotion Research, School of Health and Community Studies, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS1 3HE, UK
Interests: intellectual disability; autism; wellbeing; community wellbeing; voluntary and community sector; leisure; lifestyle sports; participatory research
Prof. Dr. Matthias Grunke

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Special Education & Rehabilitation, University of Cologne, 50923 Cologne, Germany
Interests: special education; inclusive education; developmental disabilities; inclusion; quantitative data analysis; psychology
Janine Bracht

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Special Education & Rehabilitation, University of Cologne, 50923 Cologne, Germany
Interests: learning disabilities; teaching; education; leisure activities; language education; literature and theatre

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Participation in leisure activities and sport offers immediate and longer-term benefits, such as enjoyment, learning new skills, improvements in physical and mental health, social interaction and the development of a sense of identity and belonging. Previous research has begun to evidence the diverse participation of people with different disabilities in leisure activities, both within segregated and mainstream spaces.

This Special Issue aims to move this field forward by compiling studies about “what works” to enable the leisure and sport participation of this diverse group. Particularly, there is an interest in studies describing novel approaches to enabling participation in people’s (adults that are 18+ years of age) preferred leisure and sport activities, including challenges and enabling factors, as well as different outcomes. Submissions are welcome for all impairment types, although we are particularly interested in understanding the experience of adults with intellectual disabilities, autism and/or neurodiversity, and from different settings/countries. We recognize that people with disabilities in general, and particularly adults with intellectual disabilities, autism and other developmental disabilities are a heterogeneous group. We have deliberately chosen a broad definition to move attention away from individual impairments and toward the commonalities between individuals based on shared histories of care, exclusion and discrimination. Such an approach reflects how services, interventions and activities to support these groups very often span different disabilities, and so will ensure that any learning provides the most utility. Methodologically, all forms of empirical research, literature reviews and papers that analyze policy implementation, conceptual frameworks and research methodologies will be considered.

Dr. Kris Southby
Prof. Dr. Matthias Grunke
Guest Editors

Janine Bracht
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Disabilities is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • intellectual disability
  • autism
  • developmental disabilities
  • neuro diversity
  • leisure
  • social inclusion
  • participation

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 290 KiB  
Article
Evaluating an Adapted Physical Activity Program for University Students and Staff Living with a Physical Disability and/or Chronic Condition through a Self-Determination Theory Lens
by Tayah M. Liska, Olivia L. Pastore, Gabrielle D. Bedard, Crystal Ceh, Leah Freilich, Rachel Desjourdy and Shane N. Sweet
Disabilities 2024, 4(2), 368-383; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities4020024 - 16 May 2024
Viewed by 1369
Abstract
The purpose of this mixed-method study was to (1) examine the effect of an adapted physical activity program, Fitness Access McGill (FAM), on leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), autonomous and controlled motivation, and the basic psychological needs of self-determination theory among university students/staff with [...] Read more.
The purpose of this mixed-method study was to (1) examine the effect of an adapted physical activity program, Fitness Access McGill (FAM), on leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), autonomous and controlled motivation, and the basic psychological needs of self-determination theory among university students/staff with a physical disability and/or chronic conditions, and (2) explore participants’ experiences after completing FAM. Nineteen participants completed validated questionnaires for all study outcomes pre- and post-FAM. Nine participants partook in a 30–60 min semi-structured interview conducted within three months of completing FAM. Quantitative data were analyzed using repeated measures effect size calculations. Qualitative data were analyzed using directed content analysis. Participants reported an increase in total LTPA (dRMpooled = 0.58), with the greatest positive change on strenuous intensity (dRMpooled = 0.81). Large effects were found for changes in autonomous motivation (dRMpooled = 0.52), autonomy (dRMpooled = 0.79), competence (dRMpooled = 0.79), and relatedness (dRMpooled = 0.89). Participants reported FAM being supportive towards their psychological needs, the development of a LTPA routine, and enhanced overall well-being. Future research can be built upon this study to develop a robust understanding as to how need-supportive, adapted LTPA programs could be implemented within community settings or out-patient rehabilitation to support exercise engagement, physical health and overall well-being among adults with disabilities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leisure and Sport Activities among People with Disabilities: Opportunities and Challenges)
11 pages, 576 KiB  
Article
The Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire for People with Disabilities: Validity and Reliability
by Cameron M. Gee, Ava Neely, Aleksandra Jevdjevic, Kenedy Olsen and Kathleen A. Martin Ginis
Disabilities 2024, 4(2), 321-331; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities4020021 - 23 Apr 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1845
Abstract
There is an urgent need for valid and reliable measures of physical activity (PA) participation for use among people with physical and/or sensory disabilities. This study involved adapting the Leisure Time PA Questionnaire for People with Spinal Cord Injury for use in individuals [...] Read more.
There is an urgent need for valid and reliable measures of physical activity (PA) participation for use among people with physical and/or sensory disabilities. This study involved adapting the Leisure Time PA Questionnaire for People with Spinal Cord Injury for use in individuals with disabilities (i.e., the LTPAQ-D) and performing a preliminary evaluation of its content validity, construct validity, and same-day test–retest reliability in people with disabilities. User interviews assessed the content validity (n = 5). A cross-sectional study assessed the construct validity and same-day test–retest reliability (n = 27, 45 ± 21 years). Participants completed the LTPAQ-D, other self-report measures of aerobic and strength training PA, as well as tests of cardiorespiratory fitness (i.e., peak oxygen consumption (V˙O2peak)) and muscular strength. LTPAQ-D measures of min/week of aerobic LTPA, aerobic moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and strength training shared medium-to-large correlations with other self-report measures of aerobic and strength training PA (r = 0.458–0.942, ps < 0.01). After controlling for age, aerobic LTPA and MVPA shared moderate partial correlations with V˙O2peak (r = 0.341 and 0.356, respectively). Min/week of strength training, measured by the LTPAQ-D, was associated with predicted maximal strength on the chest press (r = 0.621, p = 0.009). All LTPAQ-D measures demonstrated good-to-excellent test–retest reliability (intraclass correlations = 0.709–0.948, ps < 0.01). This study provides preliminary evidence of the validity and reliability of the LTPAQ-D as a measure of LTPA among people with disabilities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leisure and Sport Activities among People with Disabilities: Opportunities and Challenges)
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17 pages, 623 KiB  
Article
‘Just Another Outing in a Boat’: Findings from the Evaluation of the Mixed Ability Sport Development Programme
by Jen Dyer and Rachel Sandford
Disabilities 2023, 3(3), 335-351; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities3030022 - 1 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2462
Abstract
Article 30 (5a) of the UNCRPD states that participation in mainstream sport should be a right for all individuals. However, many disabled people still face barriers to participation, and provision remains segregated and/or determined, at least in part, by the nature and degree [...] Read more.
Article 30 (5a) of the UNCRPD states that participation in mainstream sport should be a right for all individuals. However, many disabled people still face barriers to participation, and provision remains segregated and/or determined, at least in part, by the nature and degree of impairment. This paper explores the Mixed Ability (MA) model as an innovative approach to facilitating disabled people’s participation in, and engagement with, mainstream sport. It outlines findings from an evaluation of the Sport England-funded Mixed Ability Sport Development Programme, which saw the MA model trialed in a variety of sports. A participatory research design was employed to generate data with key stakeholder groups involved in the design and delivery of programme activities, as well as with MA participants. Analysis of the data identified three core themes: (i) defining MA sport; (ii) the impacts of MA sport; and (iii) challenges and enablers of MA sport. In discussing these, it is argued that the MA model can be a powerful approach to inclusion and help to shape meaningful change. Indeed, the data suggest that the impacts of MA activities can extend beyond the individual level and influence shifts in both sports club culture and wider perceptions around disability. The paper closes by considering the implications of the research and outlines recommendations for future practice in this area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leisure and Sport Activities among People with Disabilities: Opportunities and Challenges)
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Review

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26 pages, 802 KiB  
Review
Participation in Everyday Leisure and Its Influencing Factors for People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Scoping Review of the Empirical Findings
by Noemi Heister, Peter Zentel and Stefanie Köb
Disabilities 2023, 3(2), 269-294; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities3020018 - 29 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 6650
Abstract
Background: Participation is often defined as taking part and being included in different areas of life. Leisure represents an important area of life for all people. People with disabilities have the right to experience leisure time in a self-determined manner. They have the [...] Read more.
Background: Participation is often defined as taking part and being included in different areas of life. Leisure represents an important area of life for all people. People with disabilities have the right to experience leisure time in a self-determined manner. They have the right to participate in leisure activities on an equal basis with others. Due to various influencing factors, people with intellectual disabilities, especially those with severe to profound intellectual disabilities, are at risk of decreased participation. This is alarming because participation in leisure activities reflects quality of life. Purpose: The present study aims to review the empirical findings on leisure participation and its influencing factors in people with mild to moderate disabilities as compared to people with severe to profound intellectual disabilities. Method: A scoping review following the PRISMA-ScR checklist by Cochrane and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) was conducted to examine research studies published in peer-reviewed journals between 2000 and 2022. The studies that were included relate to activities within the everyday leisure time of people with intellectual disabilities, regardless of age, gender, or severity of their cognitive disability. The categories of vacation and tourism were excluded so as to focus on everyday leisure. The sample was screened by two reviewers independently. In total, 27 articles met the inclusion criteria, with 21 articles referring to people with a mild to moderate intellectual disability and only six articles referring to people with a severe to profound intellectual disability. The evidence was summarized with a predefined standardized charting form, which was used by the two reviewers. Results: The results show that participation in leisure activities by people with intellectual disabilities can be limited, especially for those with severe to profound intellectual disabilities. This contradicts the guiding principle and human rights of inclusion and self-determination. Their participation in leisure time is extremely dependent on external factors, such as support people, leisure time availability, and form of living. Passive activities at home are often provided for people with severe to profound intellectual disabilities in particular; therefore, the need for interactive and self-determined leisure opportunities in the community is enormous. Various factors influencing leisure participation can be identified. Implications: The findings of this scoping review can be used to consider intervention, support, and barriers to enhancing leisure participation among people with disabilities as an important area of life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leisure and Sport Activities among People with Disabilities: Opportunities and Challenges)
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Validation of an accessible tool to measure the wellbeing of adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism participating in leisure activities supported by voluntary and community organisations
Authors: Kris Southby
Affiliation: Centre for Health Promotion Research, School of Health and Community Studies, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS1 3HE, UK

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