The contribution of sport in preparing children with disabilities for independent living

Djeca s teškoćama u razvoju su djeca koja imaju dugotrajna tjelesna, mentalna, intelektualna, osjetilna i druga oštećenja koja u interakciji s raznim preprekama mogu ometati njihovo puno i učinkovito sudjelovanje u društvu na ravnopravnoj osnovi s drugima. Njihovo odrastanje obilježeno je mnoštvom aktivnosti usmjerenih na smanjenje teškoća i stjecanje obrazovnih kompetencija, dok gotovo u zanemarivom broju sudjeluju rekreativnim, sportskim i drugim aktivnostima slobodnog vremena. Sport je, međutim, prepoznat kao izuzetno perspektivan faktor u kontekstu osnaživanja djece s teškoćama u razvoju i stvaranja preduvjeta za neovisno življenje. Cilj je ovog istraživanja, stoga, bio istražiti doprinos i prepreke sudjelovanju djece s teškoćama u razvoju u sportskim aktivnostima. Rezultati istraživanja ukazuju na nebrojene prednosti i vidljive pozitivne učinke sporta u kontekstu pripreme djece s teškoćama u razvoju za neovisno življenje, dok s druge strane ukazuju na postojanje višestrukih prepreka sudjelovanju djece s teškoćama u razvoju u sportskim aktivnostima.Children with disabilities are children who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, sensory and other impairments that, in interaction with various barriers, can hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. Their upbringing is marked by a multitude of activities aimed at reducing difficulties and acquiring educational competencies, while almost a negligible number of them participate in recreational, sports and other leisure activities. However, sport is recognized as an extremely promising factor in the context of empowering children with disabilities and as well in the development and creation of preconditions for independent living. The aim of this research, therefore, was to investigate the contribution and barriers to the participation of children with disabilities in sports activities. The results of the research indicate countless advantages and visible positive effects of sports in the context of preparing children with disabilities for independent living, while, on the other hand, they indicate the existence of multiple barriers to participation of children with disabilities in sports activities