
PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR ACCOUNT CREATION
How tennis can be a great fit for children with disabilities
According to a recent study by the American College of Sports Medicine, children with disabilities are 4.5 times less likely to engage in physical activity compared to children without disabilities. Related research highlights the different barriers for a child with a disability to participate in physical activities, including from the child, family and sport/recreation personnel.
The findings led to the following recommendations:
1. Incorporate practical-based instructor training in disability
2. Ask children with disabilities and their families their preferred activity choices
3. Introduce flexible or subsidized-payment options for families of children with disabilities
4. Encourage children with disabilities to participate in physical activity from early childhood
5. Lessen the burden on parents through financial and/or social support or incentives
6. Introduce flexible funding arrangements for sports organizations
7. Promote physical activity programs that children with disiblities can participate in
8. Ensure children with disiblities meaningfully participate in physical education at school
Policy-level strategies include developing partnerships between the sport and disability sectors, local government and schools, and encouraging positive societal attitudes towards disiblities.
These recommendations may help adaptive tennis providers create programming that will address the needs and desires of all involved, including facilities and tennis professionals. Tennis is a cooperative sport that does not require physical contact and fewer people, and it can be a great sport for children who are hesitant about or not ready for team sports.
Advertisement
Related Articles
-
Adaptive tennis nationalsDecember 12, 2022For the first time since 2019, the USTA National Campus played host to the Adaptive Tennis National Championships in November. Read More
-
Adaptive tennis on tourDecember 09, 2022In 2022, three ATP and WTA tour events, and the year's final Grand Slam at the US Open, showcased adaptive tennis with on-court demos and clinics. Read More
-
Adaptive: Marcy HirshbergAugust 04, 2022USTA adaptive committee chairperson Marcy Hirshberg reflects on her week as a Unified Partner at the Special Olympics 2022 USA Games. Read More
Sign up for our Newsletter
Sign up for our Newsletter