Perspectives on Strategies to Foster Inclusion Through Sports: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Considerations for Implementation.

This article presents the results of a study on the perspectives of stakeholders from mainstream and specialized sports settings on seven strategies that could boost the impact of sports on social inclusion of people with intellectual disability. These strategies are: 1) developing Unified Sports, 2) conducting activities to raise awareness, 3) providing training to coaches, 4) using shadows, 5) developing a peer-support structure, 6) having a resource person available when needed, and 7) facilitating engagement in nonplaying roles. The perspectives of 28 stakeholders regarding the advantages, disadvantages, and considerations for implementation of the different strategies were gathered in discussion groups. Findings could help diversify opportunities for athletes with intellectual disability and develop programs and policies that contribute to building inclusive communities through sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]