LAUSR

It is estimated that over 1 billion people worldwide experience some form of disability that interferes with their ability to fully participate in daily activities or community life. The term ‘disability’ refers to a complex interaction between characteristics of a person’s body and characteristics of the society in which the person lives. Specifically, people with impaired body structure (e.g., limb amputation) or body function (e.g., limb paralysis) become ‘disabled’ when they encounter attitudinal, physical, or social barriers that impede their full participation in society (World Health Organization, n.d.) Over the past two decades, we have seen a burgeoning interest in the potential for sport, exercise, and other forms of physical activity not just to improve the well-being of disabled people, but also to facilitate full and effective participation in society. For instance, in recognition of the importance of physical activity for health and well-being, the World Health Organization now includes people with disabilities in its Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Good Health (World Health Organization, 2010). Moreover, as an index of demand for more inclusive opportunities for sport participation, there are now 22 sports included at the Paralympics, with athletes competing from 160 different countries (Darcy & Legg, 2016). Yet despite growing awareness of the potential and importance of physical activity, relatively little sport and exercise psychology research has focused on disabled people. Historically, much of this research has consisted of (a) comparative studies in which the psychological profiles of people with disabilities who participate in sport and other types of physical activity are compared to those who do not participate, and (b) descriptive studies of the physical activity experiences of people with disabilities, particularly their perceived benefits and barriers to participation. Since the turn of the century, there has been increased interest in conducting explanatory and intervention studies. However, the growth and development of these lines of research have lagged behind sport and exercise psychology research in the general athlete and ablebodied populations. Recently, we have seen the beginning of an upward shift in the quality of sport and exercise psychology research being conducted among people with disabilities. Explanatory and intervention studies do not just advance knowledge about disability; scientifically rigorous, theory-driven studies involving people with disabilities can also advance the overall field of sport and exercise psychology. Indeed, when we proposed this special issue, it was with the goal of highlighting the potentials of disability-focused research to advance knowledge in sport and exercise psychology and to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. 1. Overview of Papers in the Special Issue