The effect of adaptive sports on employment among people with disabilities

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyse the role of adaptive sport in predicting employment for individuals with physical disabilities. Method: This study is cross-sectional. We collected survey data on employment and other covariates including education, age, age at disability onset, veteran status and athletic classification from 140 mobility impaired athletes who play either wheelchair rugby or wheelchair basketball. Results: One hundred and thirty-one participants were studied. Our analysis shows that playing an additional year of adaptive sport is associated with an approximately 4% increase in likelihood of employment. Education and duration of disability are found to be positive predictors of employment, while veteran status and severity of injury are negative predictors of employment. Age of disability onset is not found to be a predictor of employment when other controls are included. Conclusions: This result indicates that a substantial economic benefit would result from increased participation in adaptive sport, and therefore may justify additional funding to expand adaptive sport programs.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Employment rates are very low among individuals with physical disabilities, despite research indicating extensive benefits from employment.

• Participation in adaptive sport is associated with a higher likelihood of employment.

• Efforts to increase participation in adaptive sport could have a large economic benefit.