An Evaluation of Adapted Physical Activity/Education Cataloged Course Descriptions: Exploring Content, Disability Frameworks, and Course Benefits.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: An Evaluation of Adapted Physical Activity/Education Cataloged Course Descriptions: Exploring Content, Disability Frameworks, and Course Benefits.
Authors: Case, Layne1, Ross-Cypcar, Samantha M.2, Joonkoo Yun3, Logan, Samuel W.4
Source: Journal of Postsecondary Education & Disability. Spring2025, Vol. 38 Issue 1, p397-413. 17p.
Subject Terms: *Course content (Education), *Academic departments, *University faculty, Medical terminology, Offices
Abstract: This study examined undergraduate Adapted Physical Activity/Education course descriptions for content, disability frameworks, and course benefits. A total of 599 course descriptions from 590 universities in the United States were evaluated using content analysis. Notably, disability-related content, such as definitions, was most frequently referenced. Of concern, medical model terminology and nonpreferred disability language were prominent, and only a small proportion of course descriptions directly highlight the benefits of taking the courses, minimizing their potential to recruit students into the classroom. Findings may have general and discipline-specific implications for revising course descriptions, including the need to replace offensive language to accurately represent courses and the value of course enrollment. Recommendations for how disability services offices, university faculty, and academic departments can engage in these efforts, both independently and through creating collaborative partnerships, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Postsecondary Education & Disability is the property of Association on Higher Education & Disability (AHEAD) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
Description
Abstract:This study examined undergraduate Adapted Physical Activity/Education course descriptions for content, disability frameworks, and course benefits. A total of 599 course descriptions from 590 universities in the United States were evaluated using content analysis. Notably, disability-related content, such as definitions, was most frequently referenced. Of concern, medical model terminology and nonpreferred disability language were prominent, and only a small proportion of course descriptions directly highlight the benefits of taking the courses, minimizing their potential to recruit students into the classroom. Findings may have general and discipline-specific implications for revising course descriptions, including the need to replace offensive language to accurately represent courses and the value of course enrollment. Recommendations for how disability services offices, university faculty, and academic departments can engage in these efforts, both independently and through creating collaborative partnerships, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:23797762