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Barriers to physical activity for Australian students with vision impairment
Cain, Melissa Fanshawe, Melissa Armstrong, Ellen Liebermn, Lauren
Cain, Melissa
Fanshawe, Melissa
Armstrong, Ellen
Liebermn, Lauren
Abstract
Physical activity (PA) is important for fitness and psychological health, and a way for young people to make friends and socialise. Young people with vision impairment (VI) are, however, are less likely to engage in PA. A range of personal, social, and environmental barriers prevent equitable participation for young people with VI. There is a dearth of research focused on the experiences of young people with VI and their participation in PA in Australia. Using the Physical Activity Barriers Questionnaire for children with Visual Impairments (PABQ-VI), this study identified barriers to PA from the perspectives of school-aged Australians with VI. Results demonstrated that despite holding positive views about PA and being motivated to be physically active, participants experienced many of the same barriers and lack of opportunities reported by children with VI around the world. These experiences place limits on the development of motor skills and impact self-confidence. Despite the swathe of legislation designed to protect the rights of people with disability, the findings suggest that there is much work to be done to create inclusive opportunities for youth with VI (particularly girls) to access PA and sport in Australian schools and communities.
Keywords
blind, disability, inclusion, physical activity, students
Date
2023
Type
Journal article
Journal
International Journal of Disability, Development and Education
Book
Volume
71
Issue
6
Page Range
908-926
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Education
Faculty of Education and Arts
Faculty of Education and Arts
Collections
Relation URI
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled
Notes
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