Dr. Aubrey Shaw [right] with her mentor, Dr. Sharon Stoll
[5-Part Article Series]
People with physical disabilities hold limited positions as scholars, teachers, or leaders in physical education, recreation, and sports. Perhaps the reason is that the field is flooded with able-bodied people who think they know best. But do they? Michael Oliver, imminent writer, and scholar argued that people with physical disabilities should be the only ones in the field of disability studies because they have a bodily experience with disabilities. The following five-part article series shares the perspective of a scholar in the field of sports disability who has his own physical limitations. In each article, he discusses a different issue a person with a physical disability faces in the profession of physical education, recreation and sport.
Part III: The Power of Time
I have heard able-bodied teachers say, “I don’t have time to teach inclusion.” I believe what they are really saying is the extra preparation is not worth his/her time. Fact: it does take more time to fully include students with physical disabilities in physical education, recreation, and sport. The very idea of ”giving more” time can be overwhelming. However, if pressed would these professionals argue that failing to provide inclusion actually denies their able-bodied students a truly challenging physical education experience? I believe that time is the real issue and but I also believe every student, able-bodied or not, can have a great experience.