Perspectives on Strategies to Foster Inclusion Through Sports: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Considerations for Implementation

Inclusion ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-153
Author(s):  
Marie Grandisson ◽  
Justine Marcotte ◽  
Élise Milot ◽  
Anne-Sophie Allaire ◽  
Marie-Eve Lamontagne

Abstract This article presents the results of a study on the perspectives of stakeholders from mainstream and specialized sports settings on seven strategies that could boost the impact of sports on social inclusion of people with intellectual disability. These strategies are: 1) developing Unified Sports, 2) conducting activities to raise awareness, 3) providing training to coaches, 4) using shadows, 5) developing a peer-support structure, 6) having a resource person available when needed, and 7) facilitating engagement in nonplaying roles. The perspectives of 28 stakeholders regarding the advantages, disadvantages, and considerations for implementation of the different strategies were gathered in discussion groups. Findings could help diversify opportunities for athletes with intellectual disability and develop programs and policies that contribute to building inclusive communities through sports.

2021 ◽  
pp. 174462952110221
Author(s):  
Darren McCausland ◽  
Esther Murphy ◽  
Mary McCarron ◽  
Philip McCallion

Person-centred planning (PCP) puts individuals with an intellectual disability at the centre of service and support planning, identifying how individuals wish to live their lives and what is needed to make that possible. PCP has been identified as having the potential to facilitate improved social inclusion and community participation. A mixed-methods approach combined quantitative analyses with qualitative case studies of individuals with severe-profound intellectual disability to assess the impact of PCP on community participation for adults with an intellectual disability at a disability service in Dublin. We conclude that PCP may provide a good basis to plan community participation and, with the right supports in place, may provide opportunities for people with complex needs to improve their community participation. Supports including familiar staff and family are critical to the success of PCP for people with complex needs, and their absence may undermine the best intentions of PCP for this population.


Inclusion ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 173-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary N. Siperstein ◽  
Lauren A. Summerill ◽  
Holly E. Jacobs ◽  
Jeffrey E. Stokes

Abstract This study examines the impact of the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program in high schools across the country. Data were analyzed from 2,774 students from 11 high schools implementing the program concerning their perceptions and attitudes toward including students with intellectual disability (ID). Students participating in 1 or more program activities reported increased visibility of and social interactions with students with ID in school. This, in turn, promoted more positive perceptions and attitudes regarding school and classroom inclusion. Participation in different activities had unique effects on students' perceptions of their school's inclusive environment and on their attitudes toward classroom inclusion. These findings support an ecological approach to social inclusion and for structured, schoolwide interventions embedded within normative school contexts.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
ESTHER MORALEDA ◽  
Mario Arana ◽  
Patricia López

Abstract Background: Williams Syndrome is a developmental disorder characterized by a variable intellectual disability. People with Williams Syndrome need the intervention of several clinical and educational specialists throughout their life. However, little is known about the impact produced by this disability in their immediate environment, especially in families. The purpose was to know the level of quality of life described by families with Williams Syndrome.Methods: The sample was made up of 33 families belong to Spanish Williams Syndrome Association who were evaluated using the Kidslife Scale. Theirs children and adolescents were between 4 and 20 years old. Eight main quality of life dimensions were evaluated: emotional well-being, physical well-being, material well-being, personal development, interpersonal relations, social inclusion, self-determination and rightsResults: The obtained data indicated that the degree and presence of intellectual disability themselves did not homogeneously influence people’s quality of life, but many variables could alter their quality of life to a greater or lesser extent. There are no significant differences between quality of life areas but significant differences appeared for level of dependence in the self-determination subarea (p<.05). Conclusions: These results led us to analyse the social and emotional implications for families and their environment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Moraleda Sepúlveda ◽  
Patricia López Resa

Abstract Background Williams Syndrome is a developmental disorder characterized by a variable intellectual disability. People with Williams Syndrome need the intervention of several clinical and educational specialists throughout their life. However, little is known about the impact produced by this disability in their immediate environment, especially in families. The purpose was to know the level of quality of life described by families with Williams Syndrome. Methods The sample was made up of 33 families belong to Spanish Williams Syndrome Association who were evaluated using the Kidslife Scale. Their children and adolescents were between 4 and 20 years old. Eight main quality of life domains were evaluated: emotional well-being, physical well-being, material well-being, personal development, interpersonal relations, social inclusion, self-determination and rights Results The obtained data indicated that the degree and presence of intellectual disability did not homogeneously influence people’s quality of life, but many variables could alter their quality of life to a greater or lesser extent. There are no significant differences between quality of life areas but significant differences appeared for level of dependence in the self-determination subarea (p < .05). Conclusions These results led us to analyse the social and emotional implications for families and their environment.


Inclusion ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 220-233
Author(s):  
Marie Grandisson ◽  
Justine Marcotte ◽  
Béatrice Niquette ◽  
Élise Milot

Abstract This article presents the results of a scoping review on strategies that foster social inclusion of individuals with intellectual disability through sports. Five promising strategies were identified in 14 articles: 1) develop Unified Sports, 2) develop peer-support programs, 3) facilitate participation as an athlete in mainstream activities, 4) facilitate participation as a fan in mainstream activities, and 5) conduct activities to raise awareness. Their outcomes and key considerations for implementation are presented. Then, a model of social inclusion through participation in sports and physical activities is proposed as a mean to provide guidelines on how to provide a range of meaningful opportunities for sports participation in context(s) that are as inclusive as possible with enabling supports provided as needed.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Moraleda Sepúlveda ◽  
Mario Arana-Zumaquero ◽  
Patricia López-Resa

Abstract Background: Williams Syndrome is a developmental disorder characterized by a variable intellectual disability. People with Williams Syndrome need the intervention of several clinical and educational specialists throughout their life. However, little is known about the impact produced by this disability in their immediate environment, especially in families. The purpose was to know the level of quality of life described by families with Williams Syndrome. Methods: The sample was made up of 33 families belong to Spanish Williams Syndrome Association who were evaluated using the Kidslife Scale. Their children and adolescents were between 4 and 20 years old. Eight main quality of life domains were evaluated: emotional well-being, physical well-being, material well-being, personal development, interpersonal relations, social inclusion, self-determination and rightsResults: The obtained data indicated that the degree and presence of intellectual disability did not homogeneously influence people’s quality of life, but many variables could alter their quality of life to a greater or lesser extent. There are no significant differences between quality of life areas but significant differences appeared for level of dependence in the self-determination subarea (p<.05). Conclusions: These results led us to analyse the social and emotional implications for families and their environment.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Moraleda-Sepúlveda ◽  
Mario Arana-Zumaquero ◽  
Patricia López-Resa

Abstract Background: Williams Syndrome is a developmental disorder characterized by a variable intellectual disability. People with Williams Syndrome need the intervention of several clinical and educational specialists throughout their life. However, little is known about the impact produced by this disability in their immediate environment, especially in families. The purpose was to know the level of quality of life described by families with Williams Syndrome. Methods: The sample was made up of 33 families belong to Spanish Williams Syndrome Association who were evaluated using the Kidslife Scale. Their children and adolescents were between 4 and 20 years old. Eight main quality of life domains were evaluated: emotional well-being, physical well-being, material well-being, personal development, interpersonal relations, social inclusion, self-determination and rightsResults: The obtained data indicated that the degree and presence of intellectual disability did not homogeneously influence people’s quality of life, but many variables could alter their quality of life to a greater or lesser extent. There are no significant differences between quality of life areas but significant differences appeared for level of dependence in the self-determination subarea (p<.05). Conclusions: These results led us to analyse the social and emotional implications for families and their environment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Jose Luis Cuesta Gómez ◽  
Raquel Fuente De la Fuente Anuncibay ◽  
Maria Teresa Ortega Camarero ◽  
Jerónimo Javier González Bernal

The increased life-expectancy of people with intellectual disability is generating new needs for attention and care that can assist healthy aging. This question is accentuated among workers from Special Employment Centers, for whom aging has a twofold impact, in so far as it interferes with their professional development and their means of earning a living. A study is conducted with a sample of 49 workers from a Special Employment Center, with the objective of analyzing the impact of ageing on the quality of life of people with intellectual disability aged over 45 years old.  The information was gathered with the INICO-FEAPS Integral Evaluation Scale of the Quality of Life of People with Intellectual Disability (Verdugo, Gómez, Arias, Santamaría, Clavero & Tamarit, 2013). The Mann-Whitney U test; the Spearman test and Anovas are used for data analysis. The results highlighted the importance of age on quality-of-life deterioration, evident from lower scores for emotional wellbeing, social inclusion and social relations, among others, as well as the differences according to gender and training of the group. The need is noted to establish challenges and proposals that will minimize the negative impacts of aging on the journey towards a non-active stage. One limitation of the study is the need for larger sample sizes.


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