A Creative Nonfiction Approach to Illustrate Sport Experiences of Girls and Women Athletes With Disabilities, From the Perspective of Canadian Athletes and Coaches.

Abstract

Using narrative inquiry as a theoretical and methodological framework, the purpose of this research was to understand the Para sport landscape as it pertains to girls and women with disabilities in Canada, from the perspectives of athletes and coaches. We recruited five girls and women athletes with disabilities and six Para sport coaches to participate in semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed using a thematic narrative analysis. Using creative nonfiction, we present three composite vignettes to illustrate our participants' experiences and recommendations toward the promotion of girls and women with disabilities in sport. This exploratory study shines light on intersectional inequities experienced in sport (e.g., discriminatory coaching attitudes) but also the potential of sport toward supporting community and empowerment. Practical recommendations are offered to coaches, sport programmers, administrators, and policymakers in pursuit of creating positive and inclusive sport environments for girls and women with disabilities.