What Now?

 

   

    For five months, I had the opportunity to cover information regarding a group of people unrecognized by the public. Recent awareness for athletes and individuals with disabilities has gained traction, but it is not enough to change the perception society has of them. Events such as the Special Olympics and Paralympics are international and global occurrences that do not nearly receive the same attention as able-bodied athletes. With the 2024 Paralympic and Olympic games coming up, it is important to understand the disparities these two sporting events have.

    Disabled sports started as a way to promote physical activity for World War II veterans. The Stoke Mandeville Games, now the Paralympic Games, featured athletes that were thought to never play sports again. Throughout my research, I have found that the Paralympics displayed more than physical disabilities but cognitive as well. With such a famous event showcasing athletes with all different capabilities, one would think the coverage they received would be on par with their able-bodied counterparts. This is not the case, I have found that there is a disproportionate coverage for the Paralympics and adaptive sports as a whole. The media goes as far as to portray these athletes to be helpless, further contributing to negative stereotypes. Although these are two frequently seen misinterpretations of athletes with disabilities, my analysis has also educated me in the process. Behind the scenes, these athletes go through rigorous training and classification to even be allowed to participate in their sports on a Paralympic level. Sometimes, athletes may not end up continuing their athletic careers due to not meeting certain criteria during the classification process. Representing this population of people creates inclusivity and demotes the negative stereotypes that have been following for so long. 

    The class, Disability, and Sports, has taught me more than what adaptive sports are, but also how important it is to prioritize representation and inclusion of athletes with disabilities. Sports are a way for individuals with disabilities to know that they are capable of so much more than what society tells them. For the athletes competing on levels greater than they thought they would achieve shows future generations that they are not limited to their disability. With sports providing mental, physical, and emotional benefits, it also creates a sense of community to be around those with similar goals. Creating an environment that motivates and inspires creates athletes furthering the disabilities movement. This type of atmosphere changes perspectives for others, including myself. I never recognized the work and dedication put into being an athlete with a disability. Even though I have no disability, I am inspired to become the best, as some of these athletes have. Society has a great role in uplifting athletes with no disabilities, it is about time we show the same awareness for those with disabilities. 

    Now that my time spent reading these blogs is over, what now? Should I go on with my day and forget what I have learned? The answer is no - Use this newfound knowledge to change the way you approach things moving forward. If you ever find yourself in an establishment, see if it contains aspects inclusive to those with disabilities. This can include automatic door openers, elevators, escalators, braille on signs, etc. How can we make changes in the future to accommodate disabilities? Not only in buildings but schools, sporting stadiums, etc. Moreover, how can disabled sports be promoted? With the Paralympics drawing near, running a social media campaign that showcases the achievements of Paralympians from around the world can help increase attention toward adaptive sports. Schools can promote disabled sports by offering programs in their schools, this can create a supportive environment and challenge stereotypes within the younger generation. 

    As a society, there is still room for improvement in terms of inclusivity. We have come far from how athletes and individuals with disabilities used to be portrayed, yet where we are now is not enough. With all the information I have learned during this semester, applying this to everyday life is easier said than done, but this semester showed me it is possible. Creating a supportive environment that encourages inclusivity, challenges stereotypes, and inspires future generations is crucial. Making changes in our daily lives to accommodate disabilities and promote disabled sports is important. Let's take action toward this goal!