Faculty Advisor(s)
Cheryl Jayne
Files
Abstract
The focus of this Doctoral Capstone Experience (DCE) was creating the Allstar Abilities: Sports Camp to provide children with disabilities with the opportunity and environment to participate in team sports and sports activities. Within the local community surrounding Misericordia University there are few opportunities for children with disabilities to participate in these kinds of activities. This creates an occupational injustice for this population. Through research and needs assessments it was found that only sports such as baseball and basketball were locally available for this population to safely participate in. The Allstar Abilities: Sports Camp was then created to fill this void in the community and provide this service to this specific population. The program was developed using an occupational therapy lens to give it the appropriate session structure to meet the camp members needs and encourage participation during each session. The goal of this program is to provide children with disabilities with a safe, inclusive, appropriate, and structured environment to participate in various sports activities. The Allstar Abilities: Sports Camp implemented a client-centered approach to teaching children about different sports and how to complete the basic skills while meeting their specific needs throughout the session. Individual assessments were completed with the camp members and their families to determine their current needs and interests related to occupational engagement in sports. To assist the program leader during sessions, student volunteers were recruited from Misericordia University’s healthcare majors and athletic programs. The volunteers completed three in-depth training sessions which better prepared them for the camp sessions and allowed them to provide guided assistance as needed for each camp member. This multifaceted and inclusive program promoted the appropriate environment, session structure, and client-centered assistance during each session to fill this gap within the community.
Publication Date
2025
Document Type
Poster
Department
Occupational Therapy
Keywords
adapted sports, occupational justice, children with disabilities, occupational therapy, inclusive environment, program development, leadership
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Occupational Therapy | Rehabilitation and Therapy
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Engel, Kolby D., "Allstar Abilities Sports Camp: A Community-Based Sports Program for Children with Disabilities" (2025). Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2025. 7.
https://digitalcommons.misericordia.edu/otd_capstone2025/7