PURPOSE By comparing and analyzing the sport safety policies in New Zealand, the USA, and the UK, this study sought to propose sport safety policies for people with disabilities in Korea. METHODS This study utilized a comparative research design in three steps. Policy documents were collected from the websites of institutions that directly or indirectly influence the sports safety policies for people with disabilities in each country, as well as academic articles from both domestic and international research databases. RESULTS The data analysis revealed each country’s legal basis, operating entities, and delivery systems. CONCLUSIONS Based on the results, the following implications for the development of sports safety policies for people with disabilities are presented. First, the current legislation system that serves as a foundation for the sports safety policy should be strengthened. Second, a cooperative system should be established among various operating entities related to sports for people with disabilities. Third, the delivery system of sports safety policies for people with disabilities needs to be diversified. To sustain the growing participation of such individuals in sports, developing sports safety policies and guidelines specific to people with disabilities at the national level is essential.
PURPOSE This study investigated the experiences of national-level female elite athletes with disabilities and examined their support needs within a policy framework, aiming to develop strategies for advancing elite parasports. METHODS To address this objective, semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 Korean female para-athletes (M = 46.6 ± 9.01yrs). Two researchers with experience in parasports developed the interview protocol. Individual interviews employed open-ended questions to explore multiple aspects of participants’ athletic careers. Each electronically recorded interview lasted 71–176 mins. Constant comparative method to iteratively generate themes from interview transcripts. RESULTS Using the Sports Policy Factors Leading to International Sporting Success framework, 9 common policy factors were identified, yielding 18 corresponding themes. Furthermore, the factors “Classification System” and “Family Support” were found to influence every stage of an athlete’s career, from initial attraction to retirement. CONCLUSIONS To enhance the success of Korean female athletes with disabilities, the following considerations are recommended: (1) establishing targeted support systems for post-partum athletes and navigating dual roles as athletes and mothers, (2) developing individualized talent pathways based on athletes’ circumstances and performance rather than agebased criteria, (3) expanding multidisciplinary support staff and resource provision to optimize training environments, and (4) strengthen specialized coaching capacity for female athletes with disabilities.
