Assessing access and inclusion of children with disabilities in leisure activities and sports

Introduction: All children, including those with impairments, have a universal right to physical activity, which is crucial to their social, and physical development. Objective: This study was to evaluate the degree of involvement, current opportunities, and primary obstacles encountered by children with disabilities in sports and leisure activities in Albanian schools and sports teams, as well as to examine the opinions of important stakeholders involved in this process. Methodology: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional research design was used for the investigation to gather data from 176 participants (parents, physical education instructors, and sports coaches) in several Albanian cities. The SPSS software and Cronbach's Alpha coefficient was then used to analyze the data. Results: The findings demonstrated that while most children with disabilities have a strong interest in physical exercise and adaptive sports, their actual involvement is still quite low and mostly concentrated on school physical education. The absence of specialized sports programs, inadequate sports facilities, and restricted access to extracurricular activities were the primary obstacles found. The analysis of the results reveals a substantial discrepancy between children's desire and interest and the real conditions provided by Albanian educational and athletic institutions, particularly when compared to nations in the EU. Conclusions: In order to increase the actual and long-term participation of children with disabilities in sports and recreational activities, the study emphasizes the necessity of a comprehensive and coordinated approach that includes investments in accessible infrastructure, the creation of adaptive sports programs, and continuous professional support for teachers and coaches.