Colombian Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Individuals' Experiences in Physical Education: A Retrospective Study

While research on disabled people's experiences in physical education has expanded, limited attention has been given to other geographical regions, including Latin America. This study examined the experiences of Colombian Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in physical education. Using a descriptive qualitative design, seven participants (four females and three males, aged 18-32) were recruited. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and researcher's reflexive notes, which were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, resulting in three themes: (a) inclusion as a sense of belonging and value, (b) communication barriers and reliance on imitation, and (c) the importance of adaptation in physical education. Findings highlight the multifaceted experiences Deaf and hard-of-hearing students encountered in integrated settings, that is, although participants reported some positive experiences, they frequently faced instructional and social barriers that limited meaningful participation, raising critical questions about the extent to which integrated physical education was truly inclusive.