As adaptive sports and recreation programs grow, athletes with disabilities now have more opportunities to participate in sports, recreation, and physical fitness. This increase highlights the need for sport management students to be well-prepared to include adaptive programs in their future careers.
The newly published textbook, Introduction to Adaptive Sport and Recreation, meets this need. Written by educators and professionals, it provides a comprehensive guide to managing sport and recreation for individuals with disabilities. The book begins by exploring key social and theoretical topics such as defining disability, understanding ableism, and comparing inclusion with integration. It also examines legal frameworks like the Americans with Disabilities Act and discusses the disability rights movement, all in the context of ensuring access to sport and recreation.
A major focus is the Paralympic Games, the leading event in adaptive sports. The book covers the history of the Games and compares them with other elite adaptive events worldwide. It also looks at the media’s evolving portrayal of adaptive sports, emphasizing the shift from stereotypes to more empowering representations that see athletes as individuals, not just their disabilities. Students will learn how adaptive sport opportunities are expanding, with attention to the long-term athlete development (LTAD) model applied to adaptive sports. Examples like Swimming Canada’s efforts highlight the global push for inclusion. The book also discusses adaptive programs for military personnel and young athletes, along with the financial challenges of running these programs.
The textbook concludes with a case study on the University of Alabama Adapted Athletics (UAAA) program, offering insights into the practical aspects of managing an adaptive athletics program, including funding, sports offerings, and facilities. Introduction to Adaptive Sport and Recreation is an essential resource for upper-undergraduate and graduate students in sport and recreation management programs, providing them with the tools to integrate adaptive sport and recreation into their careers.
More information: https://us.humankinetics.com/products/introduction-to-adaptive-sport-and-recreation?_pos=2&_psq=hardin&_ss=e&_v=1.0
