Fifteenth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

This study explores the impact of non-disabled undergraduate students’ participation in a sit-volleyball clinic on their attitudes and perceptions toward disability and adaptive sports using a qualitative, phenomenological research design. Participants completed a pre-clinic survey, followed by semi-structured interviews after the clinic. Data analysis involved both automated thematic analysis using ChatGPT and manual inductive coding analysis. The findings of the study indicate that participating in adaptive sports as a non-disabled student can potentially positively influence attitudes, perceptions, and willingness to engage in similar adaptive sports activities. In summary, the findings underscore the potential of adaptive sports interventions, using the Sport Education Model and contact theory, to positively influence attitudes and perceptions regarding disability and inclusivity. Future research should build upon these findings to further enhance our understanding of the effectiveness of such interventions and their broader applicability in educational and recreational settings.