“It’s a Complicated Conversation”: Ncaa Division III Athletic Administrators’ Perceptions of Adaptive Sports

In the U.S., adaptive sports have existed for more than 100 years, providing opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Despite the growth of adaptive sports in interscholastic and professional spaces, as well as the NCAA’s commitment to inclusion, there are minimal opportunities for students with disabilities to compete in sports at the collegiate level. Through semi-structured interview method, the purpose of this study was to understand Division III athletic administrators (N= 8) perceptions of adaptive sports. Throughout the data, 4 themes emerged: lack of knowledge, how, impact, and resources. Implications from this study suggest that a strategic plan needs to be developed to improve visibility, awareness, and general knowledge regarding adaptive sports. Additionally, a strategic plan targeting collegiate athletics is necessary to promote conversations around adaptive sports. Sponsoring adaptive sports is in line with the Division III philosophy. Although the participants indicated interest in adopting adaptive sports, barriers (e.g., resources, compliance with federal law) were a deterrent. To this, the NCAA should educate the membership on the benefits of adaptive sports and incentivize institutions to implement adaptive sports programming.Keywords: Adaptive Sports, Athletic Administration, Division III, Intercollegiate Athletics