| Popis: |
Despite recent developments, related to adapted physical activity programmes, much is still needed to enhance the contributions these programmes make toward rearticulating conceptions of disability (Fitzgerald, 2005). Research often suggests that negative attitudes concerning individuals living with a disability have been prevalent from early Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations to the modern day (Arokiasamy et al., 2008). Miller et al., (2004, p.9) found that ‘abusive and oppressive behavior arose from the belief that disabled individuals are inferior to others’. Considering this, merely the term ‘disability’ has the prefix of ‘dis’ suggesting a perceived inferior and negative relationship between disability and ability (Fitzgerald, 2005). The key aim of this study was to investigate if perceptual changes in secondary school pupils’ of disability sport could be altered during a Lincolnshire County Sports Partnership intervention entitled ‘The LSP Wheelchair Basketball Project.’ The intervention utilised a reverse-integration method of delivery, incorporating wheelchair basketball into pupils PE lessons for a 12-week period. Bourdieu’s theoretical standpoint was used to provide theoretical foundation for the study while Chris Shilling’s work (2003) provided context specific, theoretical foundation to explain potential perceptions of participants prior to the intervention. 97 pupils aged between 10 and 12 took part in this research. All pupils, regardless of physical status, took part in the intervention. Non-Participant observations were made over the 12-week intervention period at one school in the city of Lincoln. This highlighted key behaviour themes among pupils, which were then discussed in guided group interviews. Results indicated an evolution of three key perceptions participants possessed prior to the intervention. Participant perceptions of disabled individuals changed from sympathy, limiting and contrived respect (pre-intervention) to perceptions of empathy, commonality and genuine respect. Furthermore, a comparison group provided evidence that these changes had occurred solely due to the lived experiences of participants who encountered the intervention. |
