Start Date
19-6-2025 9:00 AM
End Date
19-6-2025 10:30 AM
Abstract
Introduction
The participation in sport events can increase the social inclusion of people with disabilities. Whereas people with disabilities mainly take part as athletes, the perspective of volunteers with disabilities on sport events is not elaborated. However, training courses for volunteers with disabilities can prepare them to equally take part in sport events (Kappelides & Spoor, 2019; Misener & Darcy, 2014). The aim was to evaluate a training course and to analyse the perspective of sport assistants with disabilities and sport organisers in different sport events. The research approach allows for an understanding of both point of views since the training course and the use of sport assistants have been unprecedented so far.
Methodology
Therefore, six sport assistants with multiple disabilities (4 female; age: M = 31.67; SD = 6.07) and five sport event organisers (3 female; age: M = 41.2; SD = 9.04) were interviewed after a sport management course (58 theoretical and 126 practical units) to gain some qualitative insights.
Results
The feedback of both groups concerning their experiences was mainly positive. The sport assistants reported positive on their own lives such as increased levels of self-confidence and a sense of responsibility. The organisers praised the enthusiastic workforces added to their teams and want to cooperate with sport assistants in future events.
Conclusions
These results show that an adapted sport management course for people with disabilities should be encouraged to promote inclusion at sport events on a larger scale. Furthermore, it should be considered that this collaboration brings people with disabilities one step closer to their right to equality in society and actively taking part in the field of physical activity and sport.
Recommended Citation
Jobst, Marlene and Kreinbucher-Bekerle, Christoph, "Educating volunteers with disabilities to work at sport events - a chance to enhance sport participation?" (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/day4/6
Educating volunteers with disabilities to work at sport events - a chance to enhance sport participation?
Introduction
The participation in sport events can increase the social inclusion of people with disabilities. Whereas people with disabilities mainly take part as athletes, the perspective of volunteers with disabilities on sport events is not elaborated. However, training courses for volunteers with disabilities can prepare them to equally take part in sport events (Kappelides & Spoor, 2019; Misener & Darcy, 2014). The aim was to evaluate a training course and to analyse the perspective of sport assistants with disabilities and sport organisers in different sport events. The research approach allows for an understanding of both point of views since the training course and the use of sport assistants have been unprecedented so far.
Methodology
Therefore, six sport assistants with multiple disabilities (4 female; age: M = 31.67; SD = 6.07) and five sport event organisers (3 female; age: M = 41.2; SD = 9.04) were interviewed after a sport management course (58 theoretical and 126 practical units) to gain some qualitative insights.
Results
The feedback of both groups concerning their experiences was mainly positive. The sport assistants reported positive on their own lives such as increased levels of self-confidence and a sense of responsibility. The organisers praised the enthusiastic workforces added to their teams and want to cooperate with sport assistants in future events.
Conclusions
These results show that an adapted sport management course for people with disabilities should be encouraged to promote inclusion at sport events on a larger scale. Furthermore, it should be considered that this collaboration brings people with disabilities one step closer to their right to equality in society and actively taking part in the field of physical activity and sport.