Wheelchair Dance: Exploring a Novel Approach to Enhance Wheelchair Skills, Belongingness and Inclusion among Children with Mobility Limitations

Jade Berthiaume, Claire Cherriere, Béatrice Ouellet, Laurence Éthier, Paula W. Rushton, Martin Lemay and Krista L. Best ()
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Jade Berthiaume: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Claire Cherriere: CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, 5200, Rue Bélanger Est, Montréal, QC H1T 1C9, Canada
Béatrice Ouellet: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Laurence Éthier: Département de Danse, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC H2L 1H4, Canada
Paula W. Rushton: School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
Martin Lemay: CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, 5200, Rue Bélanger Est, Montréal, QC H1T 1C9, Canada
Krista L. Best: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada

Disabilities, 2024, vol. 4, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Playful approaches are recommended to enhance wheelchair skills training with young people. Inclusive dance allows participants to discover motor skills and improve social participation. Integrating wheelchair skills training into dance has not been evaluated. This study aimed to explore participants’ experiences in dance while integrating wheelchair skills, and the influence of dance on wheelchair skills and wheelchair use confidence in young people. A convergent mixed-methods design was used during a one-week dance camp. Data collection combined observations, two focus groups (with young dancers who used manual wheelchairs and with professional dancers without disabilities), and evaluation of wheelchair skills and confidence. Data analyses included deductive thematic analysis guided by the Quality Parasport Participation Framework, merged with pre–post comparisons in wheelchair skills and confidence. Three young female dancers were 11, 12 and 15 years of age and three professional female dancers were 22, 27 and 27 years of age. Emergent themes included skill mastery, belongingness, and supportive environments. There were improvements in wheelchair skills and confidence (16.7%, 19.4%, 16.7%; 0.8%, 11.4%, 4.5%, respectively). Participants described overall positive experiences with the dance camp and perceived enhanced skills and confidence. This study advances knowledge about innovative approaches to integrate wheelchair skills training for young people. Future larger-scale controlled studies are needed to determine efficacy.

Keywords: dance; disability; inclusion; mixed-method; pediatric; training; wheelchair; young people (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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