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The purpose of this study was to explore contact theory as the theoretical basis of the university level Paralympic School Lab (PSL) disability awareness program. This fidelity of implementation study utilized a survey to measure contact theory as a single construct, seeking to control and explain the manner in which the PSL satisfied the four components of contact theory. Participants were 154 university students who took part in the PSL. Analysis included a chi-square goodness-offit test, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and Mc-Donald's omega. Results determined that the PSL program supported the four theoretical components of contact theory, with statistically significant differences in student responses across all four indicators (p < .001). Results also determined that the four indicators of the instrument measured a single construct (two indicators significant at the p < .01 level, the remaining two indicators significant at the p < .001 level), thus determining strong construct validity. This study offers a replication and validation, specifically exploring university students, that the PSL satisfied the four components of contact theory. Keywords: Paralympic skill lab, disability awareness, attitudes, contact theory, Fidelity of Implementation to Measure Contact Theory as the Theoretical Basis of the Paralympic Skill Lab Over time, adapted physical activity scholars have stressed the importance of using theoretical and [...]

For nearly 45 years, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has not only provided greater opportunities and access to special education programs and services, but also significantly impacted the [...], The purpose of this paper is to present an updated examination of the need for higher education personnel in adapted physical activity (APA) in the United States. First, we conducted an analysis of faculty advertisements in two online job search engines on the number of advertised positions from 2008-2019. Second, we analyzed the annual number of doctoral-level graduates in APA by conducting an online search of Dissertation Abstracts from 2009-2018. This analysis demonstrated that there is, and likely will continue to be, a shortage of qualified doctoral-level APA personnel. Recommendations for future doctoral training concludes this article. Keywords: Adapted physical education, doctoral training, students with disabilities, leadership

Abstract The purpose of this study was to seek to understand and describe university student perceptions of disability sport after viewing a documentary film on wheelchair basketball. This study utilized [...]

The last several decades have seen an increase in both child and adult obesity trends worldwide (Afshin et al., 2017), and research indicates that obesity rates among children with disabilities [...], Studies show that obesity rates among children with disabilities are significantly higher than children without disabilities (Neter et al., 2011). Walking, one of the most natural forms of movement (Morris & Hardman, 1997), is one activity that can promote physical activity and help decrease obesity rates. Schools, specifically physical education classes, provide an ideal setting for activity promotion among youth (Lubans et al., 2015). The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for a year-long walking program for self-contained PE classes that is informed by the self-regulation construct of the social cognitive theory in an effort to increase physical activity levels for students with disabilities and their families. Keywords: Adapted physical activity, disability, fitness education, pedometer

Goalball Showdown: A Small-Sided Game Goalball (also known as Torball) is a non-territorial invasion team sport that was originally designed for athletes with visual impairments in 1946 to help in [...], The purpose of this paper was to disseminate one option that can act as a small-sided game to teach goalball at a developmental level, called goalball showdown. Young novice athletes tend to demonstrate difficulties participating in full-sided goalball that can affect their overall engagement and effort during game play. This text provides an overview of goalball showdown, and explains how goalball showdown increases engagement and effort levels in youth and beginner athletes. This content can help inform coaches and physical educators of an alternative way to introduce and teach goalball to beginner athletes so they stay engaged and actively participate. Keywords: Blindness, visual impairment, sports camps, adapted physical education

Introduction Previous studies have identified many of the benefits of regular physical activity in the general population (van der Ploeg, van der Beek, van der Woude, & van Mechelen, 2004). [...], The current study presents an experience report about the inclusion of people with disabilities in a road race event in Brazil. The participation of those athletes were structured through the development of a volunteer program, implemented in partnership between the event&apos;s organizing committee and a university. Twenty-three selected volunteers participated in a training course. The training of volunteers to work on road races represents one possible avenue to better include athletes with disabilities in these events. Keywords: People with disability, volunteering, physical education, disability, sport

The Snoezelen multisensory environment (MSE) is a specially designed setting developed for individuals with disabilities. The popularity of the Snoezelen MSE has grown in schools, recreation centers, and hospitals over [...]

Camp Abilities is an overnight sports camp for children and youth with visual impairments, blindness, or deafblindness. Camp Abilities started in 1996 at The College at Brockport in Brockport, NY. [...]

The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) has been adopted by teachers of students with visual impairments (TVIs) in order to provide students who are blind or visually impaired with the support [...]

AAHPERD National Convention This past March the 127th National Convention & Expo for the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) was held in Boston, MA. Even [...]

Camp Abilities is an overnight sports camp for children and youth with visual impairments, blindness, or deafblindness. Camp Abilities started in 1996 at The College at Brockport in Brockport, NY. Camp Abilities is now found in 17 sites around the U.S. and in six other countries. The purposes of the camp are 1) to empower children and youth with visual impairments to become actively involved in sports, 2) to educate professional preparation students and teachers about how to teach children with visual impairments, 3) to conduct research in the area of physical activity best practices and children with visual impairments, and 4) to provide a respite to the parents. Camp Abilities has helped an entire generation of children become more active, and has also educated communities where they live about the physical abilities and potential of people with visual impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Snoezelen multisensory environment (MSE) is a specially designed setting developed for individuals with disabilities. The popularity of the Snoezelen MSE has grown in schools, recreation centers, and hospitals over the last 20 years. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the Snoezelen MSE by providing a description of the environment and discussing research on it within the context of evidence-based practices and offering recommendations for research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]