title: Perceived barriers and facilitators to participation in physical activity for children with disability: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Children with disability engage in less physical activity compared to their typically developing peers. Our aim was to explore the barriers and facilitators to participation in physical activity for this group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten focus groups, involving 63 participants (23 children with disability, 20 parents of children with disability and 20 sport and recreation staff), were held to explore factors perceived as barriers and facilitators to participation in physical activity by children with disability. Data were analysed thematically by two researchers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four themes were identified: (1) similarities and differences, (2) people make the difference, (3) one size does not fit all, and (4) communication and connections. Key facilitators identified were the need for inclusive pathways that encourage ongoing participation as children grow or as their skills develop, and for better partnerships between key stakeholders from the disability, sport, education and government sectors. Children with disabilities' need for the early attainment of motor and social skills and the integral role of their families in supporting them were considered to influence their participation in physical activity. Children with disability were thought to face additional barriers to participation compared to children with typical development including a lack of instructor skills and unwillingness to be inclusive, negative societal attitudes towards disability, and a lack of local opportunities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The perspectives gathered in this study are relevant to the many stakeholders involved in the design and implementation of effective interventions, strategies and policies to promote participation in physical activity for children with disability. We outline ten strategies for facilitating participation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Nutrition and Sport, School of Allied Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia. n.shields@latrobe.edu.au.|Northern Health, 185 Cooper St., Epping, VIC, 3076, Australia. n.shields@latrobe.edu.au.
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shields
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Communication and Participation, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia.|Australian & New Zealand Intensive Care Research Centre, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
authors.forename: Anneliese
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Synnot
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D066107:Social Skills; D012944:Social Support; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*