DISABILITY SPORT RESEARCH INITIATIVE
Researh Fellows
PRESENTATION ABSTRACT :
Inclusion of Sport for Athletes with Disabilities into Non-Disabled Sport Organizations
A Comparative Analysis of Three Case Studies
Presented by Dr. Ted Fay, Dr. Mary Hums, and Eli Wolff
Date: June 2000
The purpose of this presentation is to present the findings of a comparative study which examined three case histories involving the integration and the equity of inclusion of athletes with disabilities into a national governing body or a national governance structure. This presentation synthesizes the work of three authors relative to issues of social justice in sport pertaining to the integration of identity groups into previously segregated organizations and governance systems (i.e., race, gender and disability). A critical change factors model (CCFM) will be incorporated as an interpreting tool from which to examine the case histories of the national governing bodies of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association and the U.S. Soccer Federation, as well as the governance structure of the U.S. Olympic Committee in its role as the National Paralympic Committee of the United States.
The struggles to achieve racial and gender equity in the United States have been researched, analyzed, and discussed from many perspectives and remain very relevant as members of various identity groups (e.g., African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and women) continue to strive for full inclusion in society, the workplace, and the sportplace (Carr-Ruffino, 1996; Delgado, 1995; Esty, Griffin, & Hirsch, 1995; Lapchick, 1999; Sabo, 1997; and Shropshire, 1997). The same, however, cannot be said about the documentation of the struggles of people with disabilities in American society and specifically in sport.
Sport opportunities for athletes with disabilities have traditionally been organized by disability rather than by sport. Inclusion of sport for athletes with disabilities involves structuring and operating a sport organization to provide equitable services to athletes with and without disabilities. Disability focused sport organizations have historically not received the same levels of support as non-disabled sport organizations who have been provided with greater resources, credibility, and expertise relative to developing and supporting national team athletes.
A brief review of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the 1998 Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, and the pending lawsuit of Shepard v. the USOC and IOC will be provided as a critical context regarding subsequent organizational action. The impact of recent policy decisions by the Board of Directors of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association, the U.S. Soccer Federation and the U.S. Olympic Committee on the status of athletes with disabilities within each sport organization will be carefully examined.
This study utilized a strategic management approach (CCFM) as a means of recommending how the application of core principles distilled from studies involving race and gender could be universally applied to the issues facing athletes with disabilities in the Paralympic movement and specifically in the USSA, USS, and USOC case histories. A report of findings from a qualitative study assessing the inclusion of athletes with disabilities in the U.S. Soccer Federation will be presented. Although centered on an examination of American sport and culture, the findings of this study have potential relevance to sport organizations in other cultural and national contexts.
Category of Presentation: 25 minute oral presentation including questions
Contact Information:
Dr. Ted Fay
Coordinator of Sport Management
SUNY Cortland
E252 Park Center
Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 753 -5537
[email protected]
Dr. Mary A. Hums
Associate Professor of Sport Management
University of Louisville
110 HPES Studio Arts Bdlg.
Louisville, KY 40292
(502) 852 -5908
[email protected]
Eli Wolff
Research Fellow
Center for the Study
of Sport in Society
716 Columbus Ave.,
161 CP
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 373-4025
[email protected]
Northeastern
University's
CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF SPORT IN SOCIETY
716 Columbus Avenue, Suite 161 CP
Boston, MA 02120
Phone: (617) 373-4025
Fax:
(617) 373-4566