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.

Presenting Author Name/s

Victoria S. Diaz

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

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Mar 20th, 3:00 PM Mar 20th, 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.