Assistive Technology to Promote Participation in Sport for People with Disabilities
Ana Geppert1,2, Emma M Smith2, Damian Haslett3
1University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland.
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
|August 28, 2023
Summary
Everyday assistive products (APs) are essential for people with disabilities to participate in sports, enabling community engagement. Access to these devices is crucial for realizing the right to sport participation.
Area of Science:
- Disability Studies
- Sports Science
- Rehabilitation Engineering
Background:
- The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognizes sport participation as a fundamental right.
- Assistive Products (APs) are crucial for enabling sport participation for persons with disabilities.
- The role of everyday APs in promoting sport participation is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how the 50 priority APs on the World Health Organization's Assistive Products List can promote sport participation.
- To investigate the use of everyday APs in facilitating sport participation for individuals with disabilities.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was administered to 96 AP users, caregivers, and coaches.
- Qualitative responses regarding AP use in sport participation were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Main Results:
- Everyday APs are essential for individuals with disabilities to participate in sports.
- A conceptual model for AP use in sport participation was developed.
- Sport participation by people with disabilities contributes to community engagement.
Conclusions:
- Access to everyday APs is integral to fulfilling the rights of persons with disabilities to participate in sport.
- Promoting sport participation enhances community engagement for individuals with disabilities.
