Parents' Perspectives on the Participation of Children with Disabilities in Community-Based Youth Sports

Community-based youth team sports can be integral parts of how young people develop various life skills. While adapted sports teams enable team participation, they segregate children with disabilities from their typically developing peers. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990), children with disabilities have rights to inclusive sports participation so long as needed accommodations do not fundamentally change the activity. Research with parents has identified several barriers that inhibit the participation of children with disabilities in school-based sports programs, however, less is known about the same demographic in community-based youth sports. Our aim was to explore the perspectives of parents of children with autism, learning and intellectual disabilities on their children's experiences in community-based youth sports. Fourteen respondents participated in a qualitative online survey. Through data analysis, three main categories were identified: (1) parents' expectations (2) experiences of participating and (3) desired outcomes. Common expectations included skill building, increased socialization, and fun. Most parents described a positive experience with their child's coach; however, when describing interactions between their child and other team members, there was a mix of outlooks expressed. Many parents expressed hope for more inclusive experiences for their children and a desire for recognition of the hard work their children put into their sport of choice. Throughout this study, parents' responses suggest that there are limited opportunities for children with intellectual disabilities to participate in truly integrated community-based youth sports. Further research in this area could be beneficial in providing pertinent information that may guide community-based youth sports in fulfilling its promise of equal inclusion for every child.