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Social effects of the implementation of the management model for the development of the Special Olympic movement at the regional level
UDC 796
E.V. Lebedev1
PhD, Associate Professor L.A. Parfenova2 N.A. Tsukhlov2
1Special Olympics Russia, Moscow, Russia
2 Volga Region State University of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism, Kazan
Corresponding author: [email protected]
Received by the editorial office on 10.12.2024
Abstract
The purpose of the study. To identify the effectiveness of management of the development of regional branches of Special Olympics Russia on the basis of analyzing the results of the project "Inclusive Sport for All".
Methodology and organization of the study. We analyzed the results of the Inclusive Sport for All program, which is being implemented in pilot mode in 15 regions of Russia. The program is aimed at promoting social inclusiveness through sports events that simultaneously involve healthy children and young people (partners) and children with intellectual disabilities (athletes). The research included a survey of the main social customer of the project - parents (743 respondents) and guardians of athletes (100 respondents), coaches and staff of institutions for children with mental disabilities (696 respondents). The results of the study and conclusions. The implementation of the Special Olympics development management model at the regional level has a significant impact on the social sphere, contributing to the formation of an inclusive society, strengthening social justice and improving the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities. Sport first appeared in the lives of 41% of children together with the project "Inclusive Sport for All", implemented by Special Olympics Russia with the support of the Vladimir Potanin Charitable Foundation. One of the key social effects is a change in the public perception of disability. By actively promoting the values of the Special Olympics Movement, a education of acceptance and respect for people with developmental disabilities is formed in society, which helps to reduce stigma and discrimination.
Keywords: Inclusive sport, Special Olympics, social effects, intellectual disabilities, regional model.
Introduction. Inclusive sports activities play a key role in the lives of persons with intellectual disabilities, helping them to fulfill their potential and become active members of society. At the same time, due to the active involvement of persons with intellectual disabilities in sports activities, stereotypes and prejudices are destroyed, which contributes to the formation of a more tolerant and open society [2, 4, 6]. The implementation of the management model of the Special Olympic Movement development at the regional level has a significant impact on the social sphere, forming new vectors of interaction between society, the state and people with intellectual disabilities [1, 3]. One of the key social effects is an increase in the level of inclusiveness in society [2, 6].
In addition, the introduction of this model contributes to the strengthening of social cohesion at the regional level, creates prerequisites for the development of volunteer movement, increasing civic engagement and strengthening social capital.
An important aspect is also the improvement of the quality of life of Special Olympics participants, including family members of people with intellectual disabilities [5]. Regular joint sports activities, participation in competitions and trainings contribute to physical and psychological development, increase self-esteem and self-confidence. This, in turn, has a positive impact on their social adaptation and the ability to lead a full life.
At the level of regional policy, the implementation of the Special Olympics development management
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model stimulates the creation of new programs and initiatives aimed at supporting persons with intellectual disabilities []. This includes the development of infrastructure, training of specialists, as well as the introduction of innovative approaches to the organization of sports events. One such program is the project "Inclusive Sport for All" implemented by Special Olympics Russia in 15 regions of Russia. "Inclusive Sport for All" is a part of the 'Unified Sports' program supported by the Vladimir Potanin Charitable Foundation. The essence of the program is to conduct joint training and competitions between children with mental disabilities (athletes) and ordinary athletes (partners).
The purpose of the study. To identify the effectiveness of management of the development of regional branches of Special Olympics Russia on the basis of analyzing the results of the project "Inclusive Sport for All".
Methodology and organization of the study. A large-scale sociological study was conducted, including:
- online survey of project participants (743 parents of athletes; 100 guardians-relatives; 696 employees of child care institutions);
- focus groups with regional project supervisors: 3 focus groups, 15 respondents in total;
Research visits to the regions of the project implementation (4 visits to the regions: Ivanovo, Kostroma and Sverdlovsk oblasts, Republic of Tatar-stan, field research on the program implementation in Moscow);
- focus groups and discussions with parents (6 individual interviews and 1 focus group in Kazan, 16 participants in total);
- interviews with trainers and staff of children's institutions (11 interviews and 1 focus group in Bui, total of 15 participants);
- expert roundtables in the regions of the program implementation (2 roundtables in Kazan and Kostroma, conference in Kazan);
- expert interviews - 6 interviews with internal and external experts);
- desk research of global and Russian practices (12 sources).
Within the framework of the conducted activities the following was studied:
- the impact of the project on the formation of an inclusive environment and socialization of children with mental disabilities (what are the real
changes in the environment for the program participants);
- the impact of the project on social attitudes towards inclusion (how attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities change).
The results of the study. The study revealed three groups of effects of the project: physical condition and health of the child, social and personal sphere. Inclusive sports made a significant and in some cases decisive contribution to the child's development in these areas. There are regional differences and peculiarities in the implementation of the program in subjects with stronger traditional education. The participation of students from a physical education and sports university gave a strong impetus to the development of the program in the city of Kazan.
The study showed that sport is the main additional activity in the life of the participating children besides medical therapy. Life of such children is usually poor, most of them are not engaged in any additional activities by default. An important aspect is also the involvement of families and loved ones of people with intellectual disabilities in the process of participation in the Special Olympics movement. This not only improves the psychological climate in families, but also contributes to their social adaptation. Parents and caregivers have the opportunity to share experiences, find support and participate in community life, which reduces social isolation and contributes to the formation of stable social networks.
The implementation of the Special Olympic Movement development management model at the regional level also has a positive impact on the educational sphere. The introduction of inclusive programs in educational institutions allows children and youth with intellectual disabilities to develop their physical and social skills, which contributes to their successful integration into society.
Finally, the social effects of implementing this model are manifested in the increased level of social responsibility of business and government structures. Participation in support of the Special Olympic Movement becomes an important element of corporate social policy, which contributes to the formation of a positive image of companies and strengthening their reputation. Government agencies, in turn, get the opportunity to more effectively implement social programs aimed at
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supporting people with disabilities, which contributes to increasing the level of public trust in the authorities.
Conclusion. Thus, the implementation of the model of management of Special Olympics development at the regional level has a multifaceted positive impact on the social sphere, contributing to the formation of an inclusive society, strengthening social justice and improving the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities. This not only improves their living conditions, but also creates prerequisites for sustainable regional development in the long term.
References
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2. Parfenova, L. A., Gerasimov E.A. Inclusive physical education and sports technologies for students with intellectual disabilities . Te-oriya i praktika fizicheskoy kultury. 2019. No. 1.p. 13.
3. Parfenova, L.A., Lebedev E.V., Tsukhlov N.A. Concept of the educational strategy of the Special Olympics of Russia. Teoriya i praktika fizicheskoy kultury. 2022. № 2. C. 85.
4. Salmova, A.I. Role of intellectual sports in social rehabilitation of adolescents with limited possibilities of health / A.I. Salmova., Parfenova L.A.// In Collection: Problems and innovations of sports management, recreation and sports and health tourism. Materials of the II-nd All-Russian scientific-practical conference.
5. Fedorova. N.I. Competence of parents of children with intellectual disabilities in the field of adaptive physical education / N.I. Fedorova, L.A. Parfenova - Adaptive Physical Education. - 2020. - T. 81 , № 1. - C . 6-7.
6. Cherenshchikov, A.G., Parfenova L.A., Gerasimov E.A. Effective forms of physical education and sports interaction between youth and people with disabilities. Teoriya i praktika fizicheskoy kultury. 2018. № 9. C. 59.
