An autoethnographic exploration of disability and the cultural norms surrounding health and fitness
Date
2019-08
Authors
Peterson, Megan
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Abstract
Throughout my experiences in the vast field of fitness, physical activity and sport, I have felt the need to pause, and to reflect on my own personal experiences in relation to disability. While reflecting I came to question why my experiences were happening and wanted to understand more in depth about the cultural phenomena within this environment. My main focus was on why different sporting events, fitness facilities and various physical activities that I took part in were excluding people with disabilities by creating socially constructed barriers to fitness. What was happening that made certain sports successful in being accessible to people with disabilities? What was being done well, and what was not working? By using an autoethnographical approach, and analyzing my own stories and experiences, I hope that this study can increase our knowledge and understanding of the barriers that are affecting people with disabilities and their supports when they attempt to access a form of physical activity. I also hope that by telling my stories, the readers of this autoethnography can connect and slowly change their perceptions towards viewing people with disabilities more positively in the fitness industry with the overall goal of removing these systemic barriers.
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Keywords
Autoethnography, Disability, Physical Activity, Fitness, Sport, Accessibility