Exploring the Inclusiveness of a Sports Camp for Children with Visual Impairments: Athletes’ Perspectives
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
This study examined how children with visual impairments experienced Camp Spark, an adaptive sports camp located in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Specifically, the campers were asked to describe their experience of inclusion (or lack thereof) while at camp and how it pertained to the feelings of acceptance, belonging, and value, according to Stainback and Stainback’s (1990) interpretation of inclusion. Four children with visual impairments were enrolled in this study (aged 12-13 years; three males, one female). Data collection included semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews that were conducted via telephone and/or video call and then transcribed verbatim. The data collected was analyzed using steps that were inspired by the three-step process used in a study conducted by Coffey et al. (2020). Three interrelated themes were constructed from the data: (a) social barriers are different depending on context, (b) participatory barriers in different contexts, and (c) positive feelings of inclusion while at camp. Each of these themes highlighted the experiences of the participants and how they felt included at camp compared to other environments where they participate in physical activity; which were not as inclusive, according to the participants’ feelings of acceptance, belonging, and value.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Justin A. Haegele
College Affiliation
College of Education & Professional Studies (Darden)
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Health and Physical Education
Session Title
Interdisciplinary Research #8
Location
Zoom Room HH
Start Date
3-20-2021 3:00 PM
End Date
3-20-2021 3:55 PM
Exploring the Inclusiveness of a Sports Camp for Children with Visual Impairments: Athletes’ Perspectives
Zoom Room HH
This study examined how children with visual impairments experienced Camp Spark, an adaptive sports camp located in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Specifically, the campers were asked to describe their experience of inclusion (or lack thereof) while at camp and how it pertained to the feelings of acceptance, belonging, and value, according to Stainback and Stainback’s (1990) interpretation of inclusion. Four children with visual impairments were enrolled in this study (aged 12-13 years; three males, one female). Data collection included semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews that were conducted via telephone and/or video call and then transcribed verbatim. The data collected was analyzed using steps that were inspired by the three-step process used in a study conducted by Coffey et al. (2020). Three interrelated themes were constructed from the data: (a) social barriers are different depending on context, (b) participatory barriers in different contexts, and (c) positive feelings of inclusion while at camp. Each of these themes highlighted the experiences of the participants and how they felt included at camp compared to other environments where they participate in physical activity; which were not as inclusive, according to the participants’ feelings of acceptance, belonging, and value.