A new book titled “Reflexivity and Change in Adaptive Physical Activity” was recently released in the area of adapted physical activity (APA).
This provocative and challenging book argues for the vital importance of critical self-reflection in the field of APA. It makes a powerful case for embracing discussions of the harm caused by ableist assumptions of the ideal body, maximizing capabilities, and perfecting normative-based movement that dominates contemporary discourse in APA, and calls for more critical introspection about what APA is, how it is performed, and what might be needed to bring a collaborative relational ethic to this field.
This book focuses on two key themes: Firstly, how ableism as a foundational belief system of APA is present in the undergraduate curriculum, professional preparation, professional practice, and organizational policies. Secondly, how to make the comfortable uncomfortable by openly debating the harm that results from non-reflexive (nondisabled) hubris in APA. The goal is to spark an exchange of ideas among scholars, practitioners, and organizational leaders and therefore to shift the paradigm from one of professional expertise to one that centers disability wisdom holders, bringing a fundamental change to how we perform adaptive physical activity.
This book is important, progressive reading for anybody with an interest in adaptive physical activity, adapted physical education, disability sport, inclusive education, the philosophy and ethics of disability and sport, or disability in wider society.
