Insights from Parents of Children and Young Adults With and Without Disability Who Play Sports

There is a general agreement that regular physical and sporting activity contributes decisively to people's psychophysical well-being and this is true also for people with disability. Advantages are generally referred to health, socioemotional regulation, and social participation. A key role in promoting physical and sporting activities of children and youth is played by parents. In this study the point of view of parents of children with and without disability who play sports is explored. The semi-structured interview allowed to identify many similarities as concern advantages and barriers that practicing sports has for their sons, the changes they advocate as well as the benefits they perceived for themselves as parents. Attention to the individual characteristics of their children, to the relational contexts involved and to the possibilities of learning emerged as crucial. The presence of attitudes and actions that stimulate a sustainable vision of sport, which is realized through policies and inclusive actions for the participation of athletes with and without disabilities and their families appears as a salient result of the study.