Publication Date
Spring 2025
Presentation Length
Poster/Gallery presentation
College
College of Education
Department
Honors Program
Student Level
Undergraduate
SPARK Category
Knowledge
Faculty Advisor
Carolyn Spellings
WELL Core Type
Physical Wellness
SPARK Session
10:15-11:45 Poster/Gallery Session
Presentation Type
Poster
Summary
Sports are often undervalued in India, with many families prioritizing careers in fields like engineering and medicine over athletics (Tewari, 2021). This cultural sentiment extends to people with disabilities, where adaptive sports receive little attention despite 4.3% (around 61 million) of India's population living with a disability (MOSPI, 2021). Adaptive sports, however, play a crucial role in promoting physical health, mental well-being, and socialization, particularly in rural areas (Chen et al., 2024). The Sittruli Foundation, a non-governmental organization in India, offers wheelchair basketball, swimming, and running programs for people with disabilities. The foundation faced several challenges in its mission to empower para-athletes in India, including limited transportation, funding, resources, and advertising. As an independent organization, the foundation's resources were constrained, making it difficult to expand its services. Key needs included developing mobile and internet platforms for athletes and coaches, such as profile management tools, sports interest applications, online training for coaches, and a donor connection platform. Additionally, the foundation required a database for wheelchair-accessible accommodations and tools to support grant applications and explore global para-athletic opportunities. To address these needs, we assisted them with back-end/website operations, using Salesforce for Nonprofits to enhance their engagement, streamline analytics, and personalize relationships with donors. Our project also aimed to educate Belmont University students about the powerful impact of adaptive sports. In April, we hosted a Physical Well Core event with special guest Liza Corso, a local Paralympic athlete, medalist, and student at Lipscomb University. By showcasing her story, students learned more about adaptive sports locally and globally, contributing to the Sittruli Foundation’s mission of fostering inclusion and reducing stigma.
Recommended Citation
Chen, M., Li, Q. & Wang, L. (2024). Understanding factors influencing people with disabilities’ participation in sports and cultural activities. BMC Public Health 24, 389. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17791-9 MOSPI (NSO). (2021). Share of people with a recognized disability in India in 2018. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1080342/india-disabled-persons-by-type-and-gender/ Tewari, P. (2021). Promoting Sports in Rural and Urban Areas. CSR Mandate. https://www.csrmandate.org/promoting-sports-in-rural-and-urban-areas/ Fultz, Nussbaum, Schroth, Tuakali-Wosornu, & Schroeder. (2024a, June 5). Document analysis of adaptive sport opportunities at division-1 universities in the United States. Disability and Health Journal. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1936657424000773
