Disabled Sports USA Inc. (DS/USA) released the results of a commissioned survey conducted by Harris Interactive. Data from the survey of 1,108 working age (18 years or older) adults with disabilities, DS/USA chapter participants and members of the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project demonstrate the positive relationship between involvement in sport and employment levels.
The survey found that DS/USA chapter participants are twice as likely to be employed as the general population of adults with disabilities. The study also found DS/USA chapter participants were more than twice as likely as the general population of adults with disabilities to be physically active. The series of surveys and questionnaires also found that a majority of those physically active partly attribute increases in responsibility in the workplace, promotions, a better quality of life and better health to their involvement in sports and recreation.
“This survey validates what DS/USA has seen anecdotally for more than 41 years,” Kirk Bauer, DS/USA executive director and a disabled Vietnam veteran said in a press release. “Active participation in sports leads to higher levels of health, improved quality of life and a greater rate of employment. In this time of high unemployment, it is important for workers with disabilities to have all the tools possible to gain employment and advance in their jobs. Participation in sports is one of those important tools.”
The survey also found more than half (52%) of wounded warriors — severely injured while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan — participating in the survey, were employed. This group also reported higher levels of physical activity than the general population of adults with disabilities.
“Remaining physically active instills confidence that helps our wounded warriors see beyond the limitations of disability,” Steve Nardizzi, chief executive officer of Wounded Warrior Project said. “What they learn from skiing, hand-cycling, scuba diving or other various activities, carries over into confidence and success in the workplace.”
Physically active adults with disabilities reported sports-related exercise was beneficial in ways that extended beyond physical gains. DS/USA chapter participants (76%) and wounded warriors (64%), are more likely to be physically active than the general population of adults with disabilities (30%).
More than half (56%) of physically active adults with disabilities believed being physically active has helped them gain an increase in their responsibilities in the workplace and more than half (54%) of physically active adults with disabilities said physical exercise has helped them secure a promotion.
A majority of DS/USA chapter participants (76%) and wounded warriors (52%) perceived themselves to be in excellent or very good health compared to only a quarter of adults with disabilities do (25%).
An overwhelming majority of DS/USA chapter participants (94%) reported physical activity has significantly improved their quality of life and DS/USA chapter participants (81%) and wounded warriors (74%) are more satisfied with their lives in general as compared to adults with disabilities (57%).
