Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
- Abbas Jahantabnejad 1
- Tahereh Azmsha 2
- Sedigheh Heydarinejad 3
- Seyed Hossein Marashian 4
- Amin khatibi 4
1 Ph.D student in sport management, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
2 Assistant professor in Department of sport management, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
3 Professor in Department of sport management, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
4 Associate professor in Department of sport management, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the role of social media in the development of recreational and professional sports among persons with disabilities in Iran.To this end, a mixed qualitative approach was adopted, combining content analysis of active social media pages (Instagram, Telegram, and Twitter) with thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted with athletes, coaches, and sports administrators. Purposeful sampling was used, and data coding was carried out through initial extraction, conceptual merging, and thematic categorization.For the digital content analysis,35 active pages related to disability sports were reviewed over a one-year period.In addition,22 in-depth interviews were conducted, encompassing a diversity of gender, type of disability, and level of sports involvement (recreational and professional).Findings revealed that social media contributes to the development of disability sports through four main mechanisms: “motivation and self-belief,” “networking and social support,” “information dissemination and awareness-raising,” and “content-related challenges.” Motivational content generated the highest user engagement. Telegram played a key role in facilitating local connections,while Instagram was particularly effective in enhancing athlete visibility.However, several challenges were identified, including unprofessional content, the absence of subtitles in videos for users with sensory disabilities, and negative social comparisons. The results suggest that social media can serve as an effective tool for empowering individuals with disabilities through sport, provided that content production and management on these platforms are conducted with care and inclusivity.It is recommended that sports organizations leverage the potential of these platforms to develop targeted communication strategies aimed at increasing participation and reshaping societal perceptions of disability.
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