Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Jane Loscheider

Abstract

Health management, play, leisure, and social participation are all valued occupations related to sports. However, individuals with physical disabilities face many barriers that inhibit them from engaging in sports, depriving them of these occupations. Some of these barriers include a lack of adaptive sports resources, adaptive equipment, adaptive sports programs in rural communities, and knowledge of how to include individuals with disabilities (Obradovic et al., 2021). The purpose of this scholarly project was to address these barriers through the development of adaptive sports programs; hereby, increasing occupational engagement, quality of life (QOL), and life satisfaction for individuals with disabilities. To fulfill this purpose, an adaptive sports manual was developed to guide the implementation of adaptive sports programs at rural community facilities. The author of the scholarly project partnered with a YMCA in rural Minnesota to develop this manual and accomplish this goal. Through this partnership, an extensive literature review, community outreach efforts, and interprofessional collaboration were completed to create the current product of an adaptive sports manual. The final manual includes descriptions of three adaptive sports, modified rules, space for each sport, equipment needed, safety precautions, adaptive exercise recommendations, coach/officials training information, funding sources, an athlete registration form, a consent and release form, a program evaluation survey, advertisement poster templates, and a brief handout including adaptive sports resources and links. It is anticipated that the manual will increase adaptive sports opportunities to help improve occupational engagement, QOL, and life satisfaction for individuals with physical disabilities.

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