This chapter focuses on special populations in sport, including:
Physically challenged individuals
Developmentally delayed individuals
Senior population
Learning Outcomes
Understanding special populations in sport and challenges in sport participation.
How the Americans with Disabilities Act affected special populations.
Sport opportunities for people who are physically or mentally challenged and older adults.
Current challenges for athletes with physical/mental disabilities.
Key Issues for Special Populations
Acceptance
Funding and organizational support
Community program opportunities
Trainers, coaches, administrators, officials
Equipment
Inclusion with other populations
Media support
Sociological Perspectives
Interactionalist
Figurational
Feminist
Critical, Conflict, Functionalism?
Equalizer
Agent for Social Change
Unifier/Divider
Statistics
1 in 6 Americans currently have a form of disability (50,000,000).
More than 54 million people in the United States have at least one mental or physical disability.
Almost 100 million Americans are older than 50.
Issues Affecting People with Disabilities
38% of people with disabilities are unemployed.
66% are dissatisfied with their quality of life.
They are twice as likely to drop out of high school.
They are less likely to socialize.
Legislation
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
American Association of People with Disabilities
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
U.S. law enacted in 1990.
Eliminates discrimination in several areas:
Employment
Government
Public accommodations
Telecommunications
Transportation
Implications of ADA for Sport
Dramatic change in sport opportunities
More representation for programs for people with disabilities by governing bodies
Mainstreaming into regular sport programs
Sport programs conduct their activities with the range of disabilities in mind.
History of Disabled Sports
Sir Ludwig Guttmann's role in the development of the 1948 Stoke Mandeville Games, which led to the Paralympics.
Archery was the first contest.
Post WWII – Sports for disabled veterans begins at Y’s with Basketball
Paralympics
Games for athletes who have amputations, visual impairment, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, MS, dwarfism, and others.
1960 inaugural games were in Rome, Italy.
400 athletes from 23 countries participated.
Today, over 5,000 athletes from 120 countries participate in Summer Paralympics.
International Paralympic Committee leads.
Paralympics in United States
Division of USOC, founded in 2001.
Manages 18 sports, funding over 23 million.
Mission:
To be the world leader in the Paralympic movement by developing comprehensive and sustainable elite programs for our athletes.
To utilize our Olympic and Paralympic platform to promote excellence in the lives of persons with disabilities.
Sports Participation for Athletes with Physical Disabilities - Paralympics
Established in 1960, first held in Rome Italy, it is the second largest sporting event in the world after the Olympics.
Today hosts 120 countries and over 5,000 athletes.
Summer Games:
Archery
Rugby
Table Tennis
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball
Judo
Powerlifting
Basketball
Sailing
Shooting
Bocce
Soccer
Cycling
Swimming
Equestrian
Winter Games:
Alpine Skiing
Nordic Skiing
Curling
Sled Hockey
IOC – 2020 Agreement for Paralympics
Increasing the visibility of the Paralympic Games and enhance the Paralympic brand;
Deepening existing cooperation, specifically on the implementation of Olympic Agenda 2020, the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement;
Ensuring the financial stability and long-term viability of the IPC, the Paralympic Games and the Paralympic Movement.
The new agreement will run through 2032 and will build on the current partnerships and cooperation agreements that were signed prior to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Mission of the U.S. Paralympics
Established 2001
“To be the world leader in the Paralympic Movement by developing comprehensive and sustainable elite programs for our athletes. To utilize our Olympic/Paralympic Platform to promote excellence in the lives of persons with disabilities.”
Legal Issues
Paralympics sue USOC wanting equal assistance.
U.S. Paralympics sue USOC but lose because funding not federal (2003).
Lawsuit brought against Parathlete Oscar Pistorius of South Africa:
Uses prosthetic legs
Claim was that uses 25% less energy compared to fully able athletes to run.
Wins case and continues to run vs. all athletes
One of the key issues now facing Paralympics is the focus on the most highly functioning athletes to gain sponsorship.
Sport Opportunities: Developmentally Delayed Population
Special Olympics
Includes athletes with intellectual disabilities, cognitive delays, significant learning disabilities, or vocational problems.
Represents 185 countries, 1.7 million athletes.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver establishes Special Olympics in 1968
Started previously on her own backyard as Shriver Park
Resulted from treatment of her sister Rose being lobotomized and living life in mental institution
The Stigma of the Developmentally Disabled Shunned and Even Killed in Some Cultures Previous Centuries
Special Olympics by 2005 – 1,800 athletes representing 100 countries
First games were in Chicago, with 1,000 athletes.
Goal is to improve fitness, develop skills, and increase confidence and self-image.
Special Olympic World Games every four years.
Focus on inclusion, teamwork, peace love and courage
Seniors and Sport
Sports for the Older Adults
Senior PGA
Senior Olympics
Masters Tennis
Running
Softball
Again focus on inclusion for most groups while competition still involved
The Rise of Pickleball
Widespread Acceptance Not Fully Realized
Organizational Support including National Governing Bodies
Programs Offered at the Community Level
Training for Coaches, officials and administrators who learn how to work for target corporation
Equipment and rule modifications
Sort opportunities that included all populations when appropriate (NYC Marathon)
Media support for publicity and information
Statistics on Older Adults
In United States, more than 81 million adults between age 45-65.
40 million over age 65.
This number will grow rapidly (baby boomers).
Adults over 55 control 70% of the net worth of U.S. households.
They have twice the discretionary spending of younger market segments.
Sport Participation for Older Adults
Associations
AARP
International Council on Active Aging (ICAA)
Performance sports
Masters, senior tours
In 2010, 15,000 athletes in the National Summer Senior Games in Houston
1\% decline a year in physical ability from age 50 to 80, then more rapid
Sport Participation Trends for Older Adults
Huge increase in physical activity and sports for the over-50 group.
Definition of old age changing, along with expectations.
Increase in lifetime activities: Swimming, tennis, walking, golf, yoga, dance.