Adapting to sport and country: Immigrant athletes with disabilities

Abstract

The benefits of disability sport are numerous and widespread; however, current research on motivations and lived experiences of athletes with disabilities has almost exclusively focused on white males. No studies have focused on the immigrant experience despite the fact that approximately 14% of the United States population are immigrants. Immigrants and people with disabilities face similar barriers, and at the intersection is an unexplored niche group of immigrants with disabilities with unique perspectives yet to be explored. The purpose of this study was to understand the impacts, motivations, and lived experiences of immigrants who participate in disability sports in the United States. Fifteen immigrants with disabilities were interviewed. They originated from 11 countries and have participated in disability sport competitively. Results indicate increased opportunities and accessibility in the United States compared to their home countries, and that participation in disability sport increased athletes’ confidence. Additionally, most participants noted that despite their sociocultural diversity, their shared identity as athletes with disabilities overshadowed any real or perceived prejudices related to race or origin. Finally, in sport participation, intrinsic motivations included physical and mental health, self-reliance, independence, and athletic competition.

Can Athletes with Disabilities When Experiencing Anxiety Maximize Performance?

“…The self-confidence factor is the most important thing to maximize the performance of athletes with disabilities. in research (Cottingham et al, 2023) entitled Adapting to sports and countries with athletes with disabilities. This research discusses one of the factors that can improve the performance of athletes with disabilities, namely when athletes with disabilities are in a similar environment, it gives them a feeling of normalcy, plus watching and studying how teammates with disabilities develop gives them a model for success and maximizing performance.…”

Application of the World Café Method for Learning and Providing Solutions for Disabilities

“…Their quality of life was negatively impacted by this circumstance, and they also experienced social anxiety as a result. Even though their rights are intended to be on par with those of the general population, many people with disabilities felt alienated from society (Sawangsuk & Keawprapassorn, 2019;Tassé et al, 2020;Cottingham et al, 2023).…”