'A challenging but rewarding path': working with disability populations

This chapter discusses the different aspects that we feel need to be considered. It starts by exploring the practical considerations which are often neglected when starting out working with disabled populations and then looks at both the physiological and psychosocial considerations which need to be made to make support provision more effective. Whilst, like all members of society, each individual will have different motivations, aspirations, and requirements it is perhaps not surprising that disabled populations may have more specific and challenging needs than their able-bodied counterparts. Therefore, there is a clear need for sport and exercise practitioners to, not only have the required knowledge and skills to be an effective support provider, but also gain a better understanding of the complex and highly individual needs of disabled populations in order to provide the best support possible. The aim being to provide real-life considerations that we feel are key to help practitioners when providing support to disabled populations.