Physically and Mentally Challenged Athletes

Defining Disability

The World Health Organization states that

There is no universal agreement on the definition of the term disability, but the shift from a medical model of disability to the social model has been widely accepted. This means that people's physical, cognitive, or sensory limitations are no longer the center point of disability; rather, it is the interaction of their functional status with their environment. If an environment is free of physical and attitudinal barriers and offers appropriate support to accommodate people of all abilities, then a person with a disability can fully participate in all aspects of society. This includes involvement in competitive and recreational sport.

Prevalence rates of disability vary radically around the world, in part because surveys and data collection methods differ. The lack of a standard definition of disability as well as comorbidities and multiple pathologies contribute to the uncertainty of current prevalence estimates. Rates have ranged from less than 1% to 20% of a nation's population, and the United Nations estimates that disabilities are prevalent in 10% of the world's population.

Participation in Sports and Exercise