title: An exploratory study of how sports and recreation industry personnel perceive the barriers and facilitators of physical activity in children with disability.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the perceived barriers and facilitators to participation in physical activity among children with disability in physical activity and community sports from the perspective of sports and recreation industry personnel.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenient sample of 24 participants was recruited from delegates attending a symposium on physical activity for organisations in the sport and recreation sector in Victoria, Australia. The participants completed a brief questionnaire. Data were analysed by content analysis using an inductive approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The participants reported 25 facilitators and 20 barriers to participation for children with disability. The top five reported facilitators were: welcoming providers, support and encouragement from parents or others, inclusive providers, adaptable approaches and accessibility of facilities. The top five reported barriers were: inaccessible facilities, non-inclusive providers, transport, lack of relevant opportunities and cost.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sports industry personnel share a similar perspective to families of potential barriers and facilitators to engagement by children with disability in physical activity and community sports. Policy change was not considered as a facilitator of physical activity, even though four of the top five facilitators identified could be implemented through local policy change. Implications for Rehabilitation There are multiple factors that interact with each other which influence the participation by children with disability in physical activity and community sports. The sports and recreation industry should consider policy change as a relevant way to facilitate participation by children with disability in physical activity. More professional development and disability engagement opportunities for sports and recreation industry personnel may help address some of the barriers to participation for children with disability experience.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, La Trobe University , Victoria , Australia and.
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shields
authors.forename: Anneliese J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Synnot
mesh_terms: D001107:Architectural Accessibility; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D003144:Communication Barriers; D019058:Community Networks; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011998:Recreation; D058992:Social Participation; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D014739:Victoria
keywords: Community sports; content analysis; physical activity; recreation industry