Experiences And Challenges Faced by Students with Special Needs in Faculties of Sport Sciences

Abstract

Background: The aim of the present study is to investigate the experiences of students with special needs enrolled in faculties of sport sciences, to iden-tify the challenges they encounter, and to offer potential solutions. Methods:This study employed a quali-tative research design, specifically utilizing the phenomenological approach. n this study, the criterion sampling method—one of the purposive sampling tech-niques—was employed to identify participants. Research consists of 8 individuals with special needs. In order to collect data for the study, a semi-structured interview form consisting of five questions was adminis-tered to the participants. The data were ana-lyzed using the content analysis method. Results: The themes of “Impact of the Educa-tional Experience in the FSS on Life”, “Course Experiences and Pedagogical Barriers of Individuals with Special Needs”, “Social and Academic Interactions of Individuals with Special Needs in the Faculty of Sport Sciences”, “Challenges Encountered and Coping Strategies”, “Suggestions for Improving University Life for Individuals with Special Needs” were determined. Conclusions: The findings suggest that while indi-viduals with special needs studying in faculties of sport sciences gain a sense of achievement and perseverance, they face significant physical and systemic challenges, particularly in transportation, accessibility, classroom conditions, and learning mate-rials.