Start Date
18-6-2025 9:00 AM
End Date
18-6-2025 10:30 AM
Abstract
Introduction
Students with disabilities (SWD) face a host of barriers to participating in interscholastic athletics. In the 2023-24 school year, less than half the states in America had school sponsored adapted or unified sports (National Federation of State High School Associations, 2024). Friday Night Prime Time (FNPT) is a program that provides SWD the opportunity to participate in authentic sport experiences that mirror competitive interscholastic events. This study evaluates the social validity of the FNPT program by looking at the experiences of key stakeholders.
Methodology
This evaluative study analyzed likert scale (5 - strongly agree to 1 - strongly disagree) survey data from the 2023-24 season. Descriptive data analysis was conducted and short-answer questions were reviewed and organized by trends.
Results
Athletes (n=10) indicated that peers were friendlier (x̄=4.1) and they had a positive experience (4.9). Fans (n=143) indicated the game was like any other competitive event (x̄=4.2) and it made them proud to be part of the school community (x̄=4.7). Peers (n=34) indicated that they learned new skills (x̄=4.7) and that they were surprised at the ability of the SWD (x̄=4.2). Positive outcomes (5) and building support from families (4.2) were consistently identified by teachers (n=9) as the biggest benefit of the program.
Conclusions
FNPT delivers a true authentic athletic experience that provides SWD an equal opportunity to participate in interscholastic sports. Opportunities like these can open doors for all members of the school community to benefit from.
Recommended Citation
Tsuchida, Allison; Murata, Nathan; and Solomon, John, "Social Impact of Friday Night Prime Time: An evaluation of athlete, peer, teacher, and fan experience" (2025). International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness. 6.
https://sword.mtu.ie/isapa/2025/day3/6
Social Impact of Friday Night Prime Time: An evaluation of athlete, peer, teacher, and fan experience
Introduction
Students with disabilities (SWD) face a host of barriers to participating in interscholastic athletics. In the 2023-24 school year, less than half the states in America had school sponsored adapted or unified sports (National Federation of State High School Associations, 2024). Friday Night Prime Time (FNPT) is a program that provides SWD the opportunity to participate in authentic sport experiences that mirror competitive interscholastic events. This study evaluates the social validity of the FNPT program by looking at the experiences of key stakeholders.
Methodology
This evaluative study analyzed likert scale (5 - strongly agree to 1 - strongly disagree) survey data from the 2023-24 season. Descriptive data analysis was conducted and short-answer questions were reviewed and organized by trends.
Results
Athletes (n=10) indicated that peers were friendlier (x̄=4.1) and they had a positive experience (4.9). Fans (n=143) indicated the game was like any other competitive event (x̄=4.2) and it made them proud to be part of the school community (x̄=4.7). Peers (n=34) indicated that they learned new skills (x̄=4.7) and that they were surprised at the ability of the SWD (x̄=4.2). Positive outcomes (5) and building support from families (4.2) were consistently identified by teachers (n=9) as the biggest benefit of the program.
Conclusions
FNPT delivers a true authentic athletic experience that provides SWD an equal opportunity to participate in interscholastic sports. Opportunities like these can open doors for all members of the school community to benefit from.