The Participation of Students with Disabilities in Extracurricular Activities: Impacts of Disability and Family

• In Event: Contemporary Issues in Special Education

Abstract

This paper aims to identify ways in which youth with disabilities may be better able to access and participate in activities with non-disabled peers. To address the participation inequality that exists between youth with and without disabilities, the authors propose the integration of disability and family theories. Using a social-relational approach to the concept of disability combined with family systems frameworks, the authors interview 30 high school students with disabilities, to identify barriers to participation, and how such barriers may be affected by family and program boundaries and roles. Findings are relevant not only to youth with disabilities, but also to researchers, program leaders, parents, and peers, and may be effective in creating future models to increase program participation.

Authors

• Colleen M. Gibbons, Syracuse University

• Brent A. McBride, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign