DISABILITY SPORT SIMULATIONS IN ADAPTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: EXPERIENCES OF PARTICIPANTS

Simulation is used for awareness activities and for learning disability sport in adapted physical activity courses. The impact of participation in simulation si explored using qualitative inquiry involving 79 post-secondary students: 54 women and 25 men (ages 19 to 41). Content analysis of the questionnaire responses indicated that the impact of the simulation was reflectedin three conceptual categories: (a) purpose; (b) feelings; and (c) learning. Thethemesthatemergedwere: for purpose (a) feeling what it is like to have a disability, and (b) participating in disability sport; for feelings (a) enjoyment of sport, (b) challenges, and (c) vulnerability; and, for learning, (a) what students valued, and (b) first-hand experience with the challenges that individuals with disabilities face every day. Students demonstrated some misunderstandings and risks despite overall positive responses to the experience.