The conception about disability has evolved significantly The conception about disability has evolved significantly and this change has been done thanks to the requests and this change has been done thanks to the requests

from disabled people and their families as a result of the from disabled people and their families as a result of the defence of their rights as citizens.defence of their rights as citizens.

Not long ago, disability was considered as a health Not long ago, disability was considered as a health problem due to a disease which required medical problem due to a disease which required medical

treatment, but nowadays It considers ambient factors treatment, but nowadays It considers ambient factors determine both, the disabilities causes and its solutions.determine both, the disabilities causes and its solutions.

Thus, the medical model has given way to an Thus, the medical model has given way to an understanding of disability from standardisation and understanding of disability from standardisation and integration principles, which resulted in educational, integration principles, which resulted in educational,

labour and social inclusion for disabled people, based on labour and social inclusion for disabled people, based on ambient modifications. ambient modifications.

But halfway through 1980 quality of life model become But halfway through 1980 quality of life model become consolidate in disability field: a model that goes beyond consolidate in disability field: a model that goes beyond

standardizing and integrative approaches.standardizing and integrative approaches.

Following the same line of thought, the goal of some Following the same line of thought, the goal of some services and programs aimed at disabled people is to services and programs aimed at disabled people is to

prepare the person to become more self-determined and prepare the person to become more self-determined and to improve the quality of life; if we provide appropriate to improve the quality of life; if we provide appropriate

support, which allow compensate the functional support, which allow compensate the functional limitations of a person, we are going to contribute to limitations of a person, we are going to contribute to

disabled people participation among the community.disabled people participation among the community.

This participation in family, at school, at work, and in the This participation in family, at school, at work, and in the community is important for every one. In the last decade community is important for every one. In the last decade

has increased attention about participation levels in has increased attention about participation levels in disabled people.disabled people.

Considering the International Classification of Considering the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF, 2001), which is Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF, 2001), which is

based on a social model, It holds disability as a result of based on a social model, It holds disability as a result of interaction between people and their environment.interaction between people and their environment.

Achieving favourable ambient changes is one of the Achieving favourable ambient changes is one of the guidelines established by the United Nations Convention guidelines established by the United Nations Convention

(2006) about Rights of Persons with disabilities. Article (2006) about Rights of Persons with disabilities. Article 30 establishes the right of people with disabilities "to 30 establishes the right of people with disabilities "to

participate in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport".participate in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport".

Consequently the notion of participation is a prominent Consequently the notion of participation is a prominent feature in the CIF, which, as discussed above, defines feature in the CIF, which, as discussed above, defines

"participation" as the involvement and engagement in "participation" as the involvement and engagement in life situations, including leisure and recreational life situations, including leisure and recreational

activities. activities. The participation of people with intellectual disability The participation of people with intellectual disability

(ID) is associated with improved emotional welfare, (ID) is associated with improved emotional welfare, social relationships and the development of social relationships and the development of

competencies.competencies.

Despite its importance, several studies have shown that Despite its importance, several studies have shown that children with disabilities take less part in social and children with disabilities take less part in social and

recreational activities, and these are further reduced in recreational activities, and these are further reduced in adolescence.adolescence.

Some factors that have been found associated with this Some factors that have been found associated with this low participation have been, for example, accessibility low participation have been, for example, accessibility

difficulties and unwelcoming environments but also difficulties and unwelcoming environments but also family factors such as family functioning and child's own family factors such as family functioning and child's own

factors, such as, limitations in cognitive and social skills factors, such as, limitations in cognitive and social skills (King et al., 2006).(King et al., 2006).

Although this situation of social inclusion is becoming a Although this situation of social inclusion is becoming a reality, it is also true that people with ID continue to reality, it is also true that people with ID continue to

have fewer opportunities for participation in different have fewer opportunities for participation in different environments. Access to standardized physical and environments. Access to standardized physical and

sports activities within the community continues to sports activities within the community continues to remain problematic.remain problematic.

Currently we have an extensive research on the quality Currently we have an extensive research on the quality of life of people with ID living in the community, and part of life of people with ID living in the community, and part

of these studies confirm that standardisation was not of these studies confirm that standardisation was not fully achieved, consequently, these people have not fully achieved, consequently, these people have not

accomplished optimal levels of quality of life (Badia, accomplished optimal levels of quality of life (Badia, 2006).2006).

One of the identified causes is the lack or inadequate One of the identified causes is the lack or inadequate support services for leisure in people with ID, where support services for leisure in people with ID, where

sport is an important aspect in the wide range of sport is an important aspect in the wide range of recreational activities, considering that increases self recreational activities, considering that increases self

esteem, promotes social interaction and provides esteem, promotes social interaction and provides opportunities for the acquisition of adaptive skills.opportunities for the acquisition of adaptive skills.

Research in people with ID about participation in sport Research in people with ID about participation in sport activities and the factors that influence them remains activities and the factors that influence them remains

scarce although in this decade there is an increased scarce although in this decade there is an increased interest in research on the subject.interest in research on the subject.

Declaration of Human Rights on 10th December of 1948 Declaration of Human Rights on 10th December of 1948 makes mention of no discrimination, the right to work, makes mention of no discrimination, the right to work, the right to education, the right to participate in sports the right to education, the right to participate in sports

and recreational activities, but actually sometimes and recreational activities, but actually sometimes persons with disabilities face barriers to enjoy these persons with disabilities face barriers to enjoy these rights. Therefore, it is considered that physical-sport rights. Therefore, it is considered that physical-sport

activity must be open to all people and sport in people activity must be open to all people and sport in people with ID ought to be understood in the same context of with ID ought to be understood in the same context of

the sport life of people without disabilities.the sport life of people without disabilities.

So, We do not understand sport for therapeutic So, We do not understand sport for therapeutic purposes but, rather, we understood as a right of purposes but, rather, we understood as a right of

people with ID to enjoy the benefits that sports brings people with ID to enjoy the benefits that sports brings and as an indicator of quality of life. In short, sport and and as an indicator of quality of life. In short, sport and

physical activity must be considered as an important physical activity must be considered as an important and favourable for all people and participation of the and favourable for all people and participation of the person with ID in such activity is as a way to meet the person with ID in such activity is as a way to meet the

recreational needs and to promote the physical, recreational needs and to promote the physical, emotional and social welfare.emotional and social welfare.

Usually having a disability has been a valid excuse for a Usually having a disability has been a valid excuse for a little physical activity. In their free time disabled little physical activity. In their free time disabled

people are engaged in passive and sedentary activities people are engaged in passive and sedentary activities like watching TV, listening to music or do nothing.like watching TV, listening to music or do nothing.

At the European Union sphere, 61% of people with At the European Union sphere, 61% of people with severe disability and 35% of people with moderate severe disability and 35% of people with moderate

disability report that they are "inactive" compared to disability report that they are "inactive" compared to only 22% of people without disabilities. Furthermore, only 22% of people without disabilities. Furthermore, only 7% of people with severe disabilities inform that only 7% of people with severe disabilities inform that

his health is "very good", versus the 81% of people his health is "very good", versus the 81% of people without disabilities (European Commission, 2001).without disabilities (European Commission, 2001).

In people with DI has been shown to have a higher In people with DI has been shown to have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disorders, higher rates of prevalence of cardiovascular disorders, higher rates of

overweight and obesity, diabetes, (Draheim, McCubbin overweight and obesity, diabetes, (Draheim, McCubbin and Williams, 2002; Janicki et al., 2002) and also has and Williams, 2002; Janicki et al., 2002) and also has

been shown that low levels of physical activity been shown that low levels of physical activity predispose to increase morbidity and mortality predispose to increase morbidity and mortality

(Paffenbarger, Hyde, Wing and Hsieh, 1986).(Paffenbarger, Hyde, Wing and Hsieh, 1986).

Overweight and ObesityOverweight and Obesity

However, research likewise has shown the However, research likewise has shown the protective effects of physical activity in protective effects of physical activity in

various chronic diseases such as coronary various chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, type II diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, type II diabetes, colon cancer, anxiety and depression (Pate et colon cancer, anxiety and depression (Pate et

al. 1995).al. 1995).

Nowadays we have evidence that people with Nowadays we have evidence that people with disabilities are able to show the same health disabilities are able to show the same health

problems that general population. The difference problems that general population. The difference lies in people with disabilities whose health lies in people with disabilities whose health concerns revolve around the presence of a concerns revolve around the presence of a

primary disability when these health conditions primary disability when these health conditions are in fact secondary to the original disability. In are in fact secondary to the original disability. In

people with Down syndrome, for example, people with Down syndrome, for example, overweight, which is usual, is the result of a overweight, which is usual, is the result of a sedentary lifestyle and not due to disability.sedentary lifestyle and not due to disability.

Identify and understand the various barriers and Identify and understand the various barriers and obstacles to participation in community and obstacles to participation in community and

standardized sports activities can help standardized sports activities can help implementing effective programs that serve to implementing effective programs that serve to

promote and develop skills involved in sport and promote and develop skills involved in sport and physical activities in order to enhance the quality physical activities in order to enhance the quality

of life of people with disabilities.of life of people with disabilities.

Several studies have concluded that people with Several studies have concluded that people with disabilities are discriminated on participation in physical disabilities are discriminated on participation in physical activity and sport, and they have demonstrated specific activity and sport, and they have demonstrated specific barriers such as (1) lack of access to sports facilities and barriers such as (1) lack of access to sports facilities and equipment (Rimmer, 2004 Tregaskis, 2003 ), (2) cost of equipment (Rimmer, 2004 Tregaskis, 2003 ), (2) cost of

participation in sports activities (Rimmer, 2004), (3) lack participation in sports activities (Rimmer, 2004), (3) lack of knowledge about training (Sherrill and Williams, 1996) of knowledge about training (Sherrill and Williams, 1996)

and (4) negative attitudes and behaviour of people and (4) negative attitudes and behaviour of people without disabilities who can work in sports complexes or without disabilities who can work in sports complexes or

instruction in physical education (Rimmer, 2004, instruction in physical education (Rimmer, 2004, Leiberman, 2002; Grimes and French, 1987).Leiberman, 2002; Grimes and French, 1987).

Limitations in adaptive skills on people with ID have been Limitations in adaptive skills on people with ID have been identified as a factor that negatively influences identified as a factor that negatively influences

participation in leisure activities. Consequently, participation in leisure activities. Consequently, limitations on personal autonomy, deficits in social skills limitations on personal autonomy, deficits in social skills

and conceptual limitations determine the participation in and conceptual limitations determine the participation in leisure (Browder & Cooper, 1994; Hoge & Dattilo, 1995) leisure (Browder & Cooper, 1994; Hoge & Dattilo, 1995)

and, therefore, also in physical-sports activities.and, therefore, also in physical-sports activities.

But in addition to these limitations in certain skills, But in addition to these limitations in certain skills, overprotective adults, social isolation, the time spent on overprotective adults, social isolation, the time spent on

treatments, the absence of programs and the lack of treatments, the absence of programs and the lack of adequately trained professionals are also often obstacles adequately trained professionals are also often obstacles

that prevent persons with disabilities to participate in that prevent persons with disabilities to participate in physical-sport activity.physical-sport activity.

Another barrier to participation is the Another barrier to participation is the difficulty of access to resources which difficulty of access to resources which provide sport services for people with provide sport services for people with

disabilities.disabilities.

Frequently services are located in urban areas and many Frequently services are located in urban areas and many of the people who live in rural areas or in of the people who live in rural areas or in

neighbourhoods in the outskirts of large cities have neighbourhoods in the outskirts of large cities have limited access to services providers of this type of limited access to services providers of this type of

activity.activity.For example, Beart & col. (2001) demonstrated that lack For example, Beart & col. (2001) demonstrated that lack

of transport and a person who took supporting roles was of transport and a person who took supporting roles was perceived as a barrier to access to leisure opportunities.perceived as a barrier to access to leisure opportunities.

In the same manner adults with disabilities who use day In the same manner adults with disabilities who use day centres and homes have very limited access to leisure centres and homes have very limited access to leisure

normalized activities (Zijlstra & Vlaskamp, 2005). These normalized activities (Zijlstra & Vlaskamp, 2005). These types of services usually have leisure programs, but in types of services usually have leisure programs, but in

most cases perform specific activities not providing most cases perform specific activities not providing stable programs aimed at the involvement of persons stable programs aimed at the involvement of persons

with disabilities in sports activities offered in the with disabilities in sports activities offered in the community.community.

Should finally be noted that age and severity of Should finally be noted that age and severity of disability are usually other barriers to participation in disability are usually other barriers to participation in

physical-sport activities. Zijlstra & Vlaskamp (2005) physical-sport activities. Zijlstra & Vlaskamp (2005) have shown that the differences among the amount have shown that the differences among the amount

and variety of leisure activities depend on the age; the and variety of leisure activities depend on the age; the results show less activity and less choice for users with results show less activity and less choice for users with

ID who are older. Besides, they report that leisure ID who are older. Besides, they report that leisure activities which are offered to users in ages between activities which are offered to users in ages between

18 and 37 years are significantly more numerous than 18 and 37 years are significantly more numerous than for users over 38 years.for users over 38 years.

The gravity of disability has been, likewise, recognized The gravity of disability has been, likewise, recognized as a factor that prevents the access to the leisure. as a factor that prevents the access to the leisure.

Motor problems, sensory deficits and communication Motor problems, sensory deficits and communication problems are related to the quantity, variety and problems are related to the quantity, variety and

quality of leisure in people with ID (Zijlstra & quality of leisure in people with ID (Zijlstra & Vlaskamp, 2005) and definitely It influences sport’s Vlaskamp, 2005) and definitely It influences sport’s

practice which this collective develops.practice which this collective develops.

As we have seen up to here, there are barriers that As we have seen up to here, there are barriers that prevent persons with disabilities to take part in prevent persons with disabilities to take part in

normalized physical-sport activities within the normalized physical-sport activities within the framework of the community. These barriers often come framework of the community. These barriers often come

from not only the limitations of the disabled people but from not only the limitations of the disabled people but in very significant ways come from their own in very significant ways come from their own

environment. It is demonstrated that more accessible environment. It is demonstrated that more accessible environments are not only those that have removed environments are not only those that have removed architectural barriers but those where changes have architectural barriers but those where changes have

been made related to attitudes towards disable people. been made related to attitudes towards disable people. Accessibility, therefore, is associated with greater Accessibility, therefore, is associated with greater

involvement of people in society.involvement of people in society.

Guide sport for everyoneGuide sport for everyoneThe guide where you will be able to find all sports and The guide where you will be able to find all sports and

physical activities for people with disabilities.physical activities for people with disabilities.

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