“Sport for people with disabilities is often an overlooked segment of the sport industry” (Hums, Moorman, & Wolff, para. 1).
As I have mentioned in a previous blog, I have a cousin and an uncle who have disabilities. Neither of them is very active, but do enjoy various low intensity activities. My uncle likes walking and fishing when it is warm out and my cousin enjoys participating in the Special Olympics Bowling Team. I have never had the chance to see her play, and I am not sure if she even still participates, but I know that when she did play, she was a good athlete. I believe she did the singles bowling and went as far as competing at the state level down in Columbus
It is so wonderful to know that even those with disabilities can still be included with participating in Olympic sports. I do not think that those with disabilities should be categorized by the sport. If a blind person were to play against someone in a wheelchair, there are disadvantages to both sides. I think that it should be categorized by the disability. It would keep the playing field level and the handicap equal. I can see how even within the disability itself, there can be disadvantages. I am going to reference a movie that is quite offensive, but can be applied to this particular matter: The Ringer. Johnny Knoxville pretends to have a disability, though it really is questionable, in order to rig the Special Olympics. So my example of disability inequality is this: each of the Special Olympics participants had a different athletic level. I can see how the question could arise as to whether to categorize the Special Olympics by sport or by disability.
I think it is great that your uncle and cousin both enjoy being active in activities they enjoy! As far as whether or not to categorize by sport or disability? Several Paralympic sports are disability specific already like goal ball, which is played by individuals who are visually impaired or blind. I'm not very sure how the Special Olympics are organized but I know they are geared toward individuals with more mental and developmental challenges. When I helped with a Special Olympic event in Louisiana, I think the kids were classified by age.
ReplyDeleteI can see where there are difficulties with any system of categorizing. One drawback of classifying by disability is that it could reduce the size of the competitive field. Girls and women may face that already in that there are typically fewer females than males in disability sports. Certainly, it makes sense that whatever can be done to "level the playing field" ought to be done.
ReplyDelete