Development and validation of a questionnaire to identify the needs detected by the mixed ability rugby environment (Q-NeMAR)

Abstract

[Abstract]: The Mixed Ability model champions the right to full participation in sport for everyone. In Mixed Ability sports, and specifically in Mixed Ability rugby, people with and without disabilities participate in the same team, in mainstream clubs, without adaptations or individual classifications, abiding by World Rugby Laws for the game. It is managed internationally by International Mixed Ability Sports (IMAS), a not-for-profit organisation based in the United Kingdom. Today, Mixed Ability rugby is played in more than 15 countries around the world. There is little scientific literature on the matter, but previous research shows the need to give a voice to all the agents that make up the Mixed Ability environment (players, families, coaches and referees) in order to obtain a global and thorough vision of it. Nevertheless, there is currently no tool to measure how the context influences the promotion and visibility of Mixed Ability rugby. This study aimed to create such a tool that fills this gap in scientific knowledge, keeping accessibility as a crucial factor so that everyone involved in this sport can participate in this research. The first step was to build this tool through the Delphi method. Subsequently, the easy-to-read version of the questionnaire was created so that disabled people can easily access and understand it. The result of this study was the Q-NeMAR questionnaire and its easy-to-read version. The future application of the questionnaire could contribute to increasing the literature on this sport as well as giving a voice to all the actors involved in Mixed Ability rugby. This will also enable the development of strategies and policies to improve its visibility in order to create opportunities for inclusion of all people in sport.