VIDBE-Q 2025 Volume 70 Issue 4
exploring the barriers and facilitators to physical activity participation among
adolescents and adults with childhood onset physical disabilities (McKenzie et al.,
2021). Motivators included the enjoyment of activity, a sense of achievement,
personal goals, improved health, and especially the social benefits such as feeling
connected, included, and supported. Feeling competent and receiving positive
feedback also enhanced motivation. Many of the motivational challenges and
enablers such as the importance of inclusive social environments, the role of self-
confidence, and the impact of perceived social judgment are highly relevant to
people with visual impairments especially as they may face similar barriers to
participation in physical activity.
For children with visual impairments, social skills and interactions is a
primary concern for parents, who often view sport participation as a means to
enhance their child's communication skills, confidence, and ability to interact with
others (Clements et al., 2024). These findings suggest that beyond physical health
or performance outcomes, social connectedness and the development of
interpersonal skills are significant motivators for sport involvement especially
among youth with disabilities. Kirk and Haegele (2021) examined how adults with
visual impairments perceive physical activity in relation to their identity,
confidence, and personal values. Their findings suggest that while participants
recognize the physical and emotional benefits of activity that their motivation is
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