Abstract
More girls and women are playing sport than ever before. If athletes participate in safe and healthy competitive environments, they can reap psychological, social, physical, and physiological benefits. Additionally, opportunities to learn and improve socially valued skills like hard work and teamwork are plentiful. Unfortunately, not all girls and women experience equitable access and participatory experiences. Ideologies associated with aspects of identity, including, but not limited to, gender, race, sexuality, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religion, and ability, challenge equitable access and experiences for girls and women in sport. Women are not monolithic. As such, different aspects of identity intersect creating unique barriers for some girls and women. Drawing from the literature, this study identifies and explores the multitude of ways ableist and gender ideologies influence the creation and support of barriers faced by female athletes with physical disabilities. Additionally, the paper explores how laws including Title IX, the Rehabilitation Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act have contributed to improving access but have yet to meaningfully influence sport to become truly inclusive. Finally, suggestions for positive change in participation experience at the youth, interscholastic, and intercollegiate levels are suggested.
Presenters
Heather Van MullemProfessor, Physical, Life, Movement & Sport Sciences, Lewis-Clark State College, Idaho, United States Sharon Kay Stoll
Professor, Movement Sciences, University of Idaho, Idaho, United States Aubrey H. Shaw
Research Consultant for the Center for ETHICS, University of Idaho, Idaho, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Sporting Cultures and Identities
KEYWORDS
Female Athletes, Physical Disabilities, Inclusion, Sport Ethics
