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Journal ArticleDOI

Promoting social inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities through sport: Special Olympics International, global sport initiatives and strategies

07 Dec 2011-Sport in Society (Taylor & Francis Group)-Vol. 14, Iss: 9, pp 1131-1148
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the value of these inclusive programmes in terms of the connection they provide among and between individuals with intellectual disabilities, their families and the surroun...
Abstract: Little is known of sport in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, but emerging evidence suggests that it provides the same benefits as for people without disabilities. Historically, people with intellectual disabilities have been on the periphery of society, including learning in separate classrooms, and sport has served as a portal into the mainstream. Since its inception in 1968, Special Olympics has been at the forefront in providing opportunities for sport participation and has grown to serve nearly three million people with intellectual disabilities in over 180 countries. Special Olympics has been an engine of change to provide opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to be visible in society and has actively promoted their inclusion through Unified Sports and Camp Shriver programming. The value of these inclusive programmes is explored in terms of the connection they provide among and between individuals with intellectual disabilities, their families and the surroun...
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185 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the organizational capacity and organizational problems of clubs that provide sport for people with disabilities (referred to as ''disability sport clubs�) were explored using a conceptual model of organizational capacity.

64 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Studies showed the diverse and person-centred nature of community participation and demonstrated the need for larger-scale studies of promising interventions that include details of costs, and strategies to guide implementation of policies to support community participation.
Abstract: Background Little progress has been made towards community participation of people with intellectual disability despite it being a policy aim since the 1980s. We aimed to identify the features of programmes designed to support community participation. Method A scoping review was conducted of peer-reviewed literature between 2000 and 2015, about interventions to support community participation for adults with intellectual disability. Results A small body of evidence relates to the design and effectiveness of interventions to enhance community participation. Seventeen studies reported programmes reflecting three conceptualizations of community participation (as social relationships, as convivial encounter and as belonging) that used strategies such as active mentoring, facilitative support worker practice and arts-based programmes. Conclusions Studies showed the diverse and person-centred nature of community participation and demonstrated the need for larger-scale studies of promising interventions that include details of costs, and strategies to guide implementation of policies to support community participation.

45 citations


Cites background from "Promoting social inclusion for peop..."

  • ...Some of the general positive claims about outcomes made in these articles were not backed up by data (Harada et al., 2011; Heslop, 2005; McConkey et al., 2013)....

    [...]

  • ...…programmes, however, have weak methodologies and provide little evidence to substantiate claims that they provide; “access to the community” or “develop social relationships with their teammates which often carry over into their lives off the playing field” (Harada et al., 2011, p. 1135–1136)....

    [...]

References
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Book
30 Aug 2004
TL;DR: This report is the first report of the Surgeon General on physical activity and health, and strong evidence is shown to indicate that regular physical activity will provide clear and substantial health gains.
Abstract: : This report is the first report of the Surgeon General on physical activity and health. For more than a century, the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service has focused the nation's attention on important public health issues. Reports from Surgeons General on the adverse health consequences of smoking triggered nationwide efforts to prevent tobacco use. Reports on nutrition, violence, and HIV/AlDS - to name but a few - have heightened America's awareness of important public health issues and have spawned major public health initiatives. This new report, which is a comprehensive review of the available scientific evidence about the relationship between physical activity and health status, follows in this notable tradition. Scientists and doctors have known for years that substantial benefits can be gained from regular physical activity. The expanding and strengthening evidence on the relationship between physical activity and health necessitates the focus this report brings to this important public health challenge. Although the science of physical activity is a complex and still-developing field, we have today strong evidence to indicate that regular physical activity will provide clear and substantial health gains. In this sense, the report is more than a summary of the science - it is a national call to action.

5,107 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: There appears to be some relationships between aspects of physical and social environment and physical activity participation, however, future research is needed to refine and clarify this.

383 citations