Perspectives of Parents of Faculty of Sports Sciences Students towards Sports for the Disabled

The individual is influenced by their environment; parents are the primary role models for them, followed by friends, family, and teachers. These individuals teach them the importance of sports, how it benefits disabled individuals, and how to have positive attitudes regarding disability. Using a qualitative, phenomenological approach, this study aimed to investigate parents of students studying sports sciences' opinions regarding sports for people with disabilities. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 20 parents (9 female, 11 male). Educational backgrounds ranged from primary school (n = 4) and middle school (n = 4) to secondary school (n = 5) and university (n = 7). Only three participants reported having a disabled family member or close acquaintance. Interview transcripts were coded and thematically analyzed in NVivo 11. The majority of participants, according to the results, were aware of disabilities and the advantages—both social and physical—of sports for those with disabilities. Parents emphasized the importance of integrating disabled individuals into society and employing sports science graduates to support special needs. They also highlighted the success of ongoing projects but suggested the need for new, creative initiatives to reach a broader audience.