Nina Jermaina, Sari Mariati, Neny Sandrawati, Eliya Pebriyeni, Eko Purnomo
Intellectual disability sports remain relatively unfamiliar to the general public, despite their significant potential to promote social inclusion and reshape perceptions of individuals with intellectual disabilities. A lack of awareness and understanding continues to hinder the creation of an inclusive environment. This study aims to analyze the impact of promoting intellectual disability sports on public participation both in terms of quality and quantity and to identify the ongoing challenges in enhancing such participation. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed, using data collected from interviews and documentation. A total of 16 respondents participated in the study. The five key informants included two officials from the Youth and Sports Office and three coaches from Special Olympics Indonesia. Additionally, there were 11 supporting respondents consisting of seven members of the general public and four university academics. The findings reveal a significant increase in public participation. In terms of quality, consistent and informative promotion has successfully shifted public perceptions, leading to greater appreciation of the talents and achievements of athletes with intellectual disabilities. In terms of quantity, there has been a rise in the number of sports events dedicated to these athletes, along with increased involvement from communities, companies, and government institutions. However, challenges remain, such as limited public understanding of intellectual disabilities and a lack of accessible, disability-friendly sports facilities. The promotion of intellectual disability sports has proven effective in enhancing public participation both qualitatively and quantitatively. ©2025 by authors, all rights reserved.
Department of Sports Education, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia; Department of Coaching, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia; Cosmetic Technology, Vocational School, Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia; Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia
