Sport as a tool for community leaders of people with disabilities: exploring an innovative, immersive exchange training program

Research question: The purpose of this study was to explore how an immersive mentorship and cultural exchange program may be structured to empower disability sport community leaders to face barriers. The study was guided by the question: How does participation in a cultural exchange program empower community leaders to combat barriers for people with disabilities?Research methods: Two focus groups were conducted with 15 delegates who participated in a US government-sponsored global exchange program. Next, four-month follow-up transcripts were analyzed for descriptions of the delegates’ experience participating in the program.Results and findings: Using the lens of the three psychological needs of self-determination theory, findings revealed that experiences designed within the cultural exchange program positioned the delegates to establish relationships with like-minded leaders (e.g. relatedness) while enhancing their own self-confidence (e.g. competence) prior to returning home to combat identified barriers with their own strategy (e.g. autonomy).Implications: Developing a community of support with other leaders while also validating one's own competencies may better enhance one’s advocacy work in their respective community.