Sport Safety Policies for People with Disabilities : A Comparative Study of New Zealand, the USA, and the UK

Abstract

PURPOSE By comparing and analyzing the sport safety policies in New Zealand, the USA, and the UK, this study sought to propose sport safety policies for people with disabilities in Korea. METHODS This study utilized a comparative research design in three steps. Policy documents were collected from the websites of institutions that directly or indirectly influence the sports safety policies for people with disabilities in each country, as well as academic articles from both domestic and international research databases. RESULTS The data analysis revealed each country’s legal basis, operating entities, and delivery systems. CONCLUSIONS Based on the results, the following implications for the development of sports safety policies for people with disabilities are presented. First, the current legislation system that serves as a foundation for the sports safety policy should be strengthened. Second, a cooperative system should be established among various operating entities related to sports for people with disabilities. Third, the delivery system of sports safety policies for people with disabilities needs to be diversified. To sustain the growing participation of such individuals in sports, developing sports safety policies and guidelines specific to people with disabilities at the national level is essential.

Keywords

• sport safety policies
• people with disabilities
• comparative study