HOW CAN THE SPORT CONTEXT EMPOWER CHAL- LENGED YOUNG PEOPLE?

The aim of the study was to increase the knowledge about the sport context as a possibbly empowering arena for in-dividuals weith a disability. Empowerment is defined as a process of increasing personal, interpersonal, or polit-ical power so that individuals cant ake action to improve their lives (Gutierrez, 1990, p.201). A qualitative pilot study identified six types of positive influence on empow-erment through the sport context: to have an accepted role, a focus on abilities rather than disability, gain visi-bility, learn goal orientation, development of self-esteem, and get responses on one’s actions. Also possible neg-ative influences were reported: not to be taken seriously as an athlete, a focus on being special, development of self-centeredness, lack of attention and understanding of achievements, and low expectation from the environment