DS Blog #4

      


I certainly do believe that adaptive technology should be allowed in sports since it allows athletes with disabilities to compete in a way that is accessible to them. Without adaptive technology, athletes with disabilities are unable to exercise safely, let alone compete in the sport of their choice. This is extremely harmful since exercise is very beneficial to all people, and can be especially beneficial when it comes to rehabilitation, mental health, or overall wellbeing. Adaptive technology gives all people the opportunity to redeem these benefits in ways that serve their needs. 




On the other hand, adaptive technology is not always accessible. According to Shuan Butcher, the communications manager at Move United, adaptive sports equipment is on average 15 times more expensive than non adaptive equipment. This is due to the fact that adaptive equipment must almost always be entirely custom to each athlete, which raises costs and inaccessibility. There are many organizations that have been striving to break down these barriers of cost inequalities in sports equipment. For example, Move United, a nonprofit devoted to improving and supporting adaptive sports and athletes, has made great strides in battling this issue. They have partnerships with disability insurance providers to help distribute more than 7,500 pieces of adaptive equipment to 55,000 individuals in over 75 communities across the country in the last 6 years. Although these stats sound phenomenal and the work that Move United does is so important, it does not reflect the reality for disabled athletes around the world. Countries such as China, Australia, Sweden, Germany, UK, and Spain have some of the best technology for athletes with disabilities, while other countries face very disproportionate sports accessibility. This means that we should reflect on the policies and innovations that these countries are making to help learn on how we can improve this issue worldwide.  




I do believe that athletes who need to use technology such as running blades or other specialized equipment should be allowed to compete in able bodied sporting events if they choose. Oftentimes athletes with disabilities do not want to be viewed as “disabled athletes”, but rather “athletes”. Disability is only one aspect of a person's identity, so why should we subject athletes to compete in sporting events with such strict labels? I believe that if the equipment has no performance enhancing features it is completely fair to compete against people who do not use the same equipment. Accessible sports equipment does not allow athletes to compete “better” than able-bodied athletes, it simply allows them to compete. 





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