Examining the Impact of Community Inclusive Sport Event on Attitudes toward People with Intellectual Disabilities through a Sport Management Coursework: A Pilot Study

Abstract

People with disabilities have become part of a growing population in the U.S. and globally. This study investigated the implicit and explicit attitudes after involvement in a community-inclusive soccer festival, StarkVegas Fútbol Jamboree, that included people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Nine sport management graduate students who enrolled in a sport event and facility management course as well as organized and implemented this event participated in this study. In addition, 15 event volunteers were recruited. Multiple strategies during event planning were utilized to reduce attitude bias. The measure of implicit attitudes toward disability was administered for sport management students before and after the event. The measure of explicit attitudes was collected on the event day for sport management students and volunteers. No association between implicit and explicit attitudes was noted since both may tap into distinctly different knowledge structures. The strategies achieved a partial success. The sensitivity to the concept of disease and contact with people with disabilities may be possible factors associated with this change. However, explicit attitude scores were lower than in past literature due to limitations in direct as well as quality contact. The findings provide evidence that faculty may use an inclusive community sport event to improve the attitudes towards people with ID.