Can children with disabilities participate in sports? Are there any
precautions that need to be taken for activity? What benefits can these children obtain?
All of these questions are important and bring up many issues concerning the involvement
of disabled children in organized sports. Children with disabilities are more visible in
today's society compared to that of fifty years ago. This change is attributed to the
general public being more accustomed to seeing disabled persons in public settings.
Carrying this presence over into the sports world, disabled children are now actively
involved in numerous activities throughout the world in places such as the public schools
and in recreation programs. This wide involvement exhibits the desire that these children
have and demonstrates that they can be active participants, despite their disability.
With participation in sports, precautions need to be taken to ensure
safety for the children. This does not only include disabled children but the also
includes able-bodied children. These precautions would include the environment [field,
court, etc.], equipment, and knowledge of the rules. Specifically for the disabled child,
knowing about their disability and their limitations is crucial for success in that sport.
Benefits for the disabled child athlete are very much like those of the
able-bodied child. These benefits are not just limited to the physical health, but also
include the psychological health, including the cognitive, social, affective, and moral
development of children. The opportunity to participate in an activity allows the child to
feel good about themselves. It produces a sense of well-being. Additionally, when a child
is successful in mastering a skill, this can lead to an improvement in their self-concept,
self-esteem, and self-confidence.
There are numerous organizations that have been developed for athletic
participation of disabled persons. Some of these include Special Olympics, International
Sports Organization for the Disabled, International Committee of Sports for the Deaf, and
International Paralympic Committee. This list is a small representation of the
organizations that are available for the disabled. A more detailed list [with addresses
and phone numbers] can be obtained from your local library or on the Internet.
Participation in sports can be used as venue to aid in the development
of the disabled child. Through their involvement, children can develop not only physically
but also mentally. This is crucial in the child's growth to adulthood and can have
numerous positive outcomes later in life.
Coaching Youth Sports