Research Article

Examination of factors influencing students with disabilities participation in physical activities and sports: A phenomenological study

Joyce Mawena 1 * , Richmond Stephen Sorkpor 1
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1 Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sports, University of Education, Winneba, GHANA* Corresponding Author
International Journal of Professional Development, Learners and Learning, 7(1), January 2025, e2510, https://doi.org/10.30935/ijpdll/15829
Submitted: 14 May 2024, Published: 06 January 2025
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ABSTRACT

The major benefits of physical education participation by students are to provide them with holistic knowledge about physical activities, unearth their potential sporting talents, and also develop in them positive attitudes required for healthier lifelong participation in physical activities. Everyone especially students with disabilities in special schools should be encouraged to experience education systems that provide them with sound and healthy physical activity engagement as their deservedly human rights. This study, therefore, examined the underlying factors influencing students with disabilities’ participation in physical activities and sports. This study used a phenomenological research design to collect qualitative data using interviews with nine students with disabilities and three teachers in three public special schools. Participants interviewed were selected through a purposive sampling technique. The data collected were openly coded and constantly compared to obtain patterns and themes and were analyzed thematically. The findings of the study revealed inadequate disability-user-friendly sporting facilities and equipment, discriminatory attitudes towards disabilities and financial constraints as the major challenges. The results of this study augment the literature examining the underlying factors influencing physical activities and sports participation among students with disabilities. It was, therefore, recommended that authorities in education should prioritize physical education at special schools by providing disability-user-friendly sporting facilities and equipment, adequate and prompt financial support, good government policies, and education on positive attitudes to assist, educate, encourage, and improve students with disabilities participation in physical activities and sports.
Keywords: disability, participation, physical activity, sports

CITATION (APA)

Mawena, J., & Sorkpor, R. S. (2025). Examination of factors influencing students with disabilities participation in physical activities and sports: A phenomenological study. International Journal of Professional Development, Learners and Learning, 7(1), e2510. https://doi.org/10.30935/ijpdll/15829

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