Intercollegiate Sports and the Need for Disability Equity

Authors

  • Kae McCarty University of San Francisco
  • Jasmine Townsend Clemson University
  • Megan MacDonald Oregon State University

Abstract

Accurate information regarding intercollegiate adapted sports for disabled students is unknown, exacerbating inequities in health, higher education, and competitive sports. This study’s purpose was to identify existing intercollegiate adapted athletics programs in the United States to provide a baseline for future research. Content analysis was conducted for programs meeting inclusion criteria: (1) intercollegiate competition, (2) providing adapted sports, (3) to college students, (4) indicated university affiliation, (5) at any 4-year institution, (6) within the United States. Sixteen university programs met inclusion criteria. Despite growing K-12 sport participation, there are too few programs to accommodate college matriculation, contributing to social and health inequity for college students with a disability.

Published

2023-06-05

Issue

Section

Feature Articles