International perspective of aquatic instructors' attitudes toward teaching swimming to children with disabilities

The purpose of this study was to examine attitudes of aquatic instructors (N = 23) toward teaching swimming to children with mild and severe disabilities in an inclusive setting. Aquatic instructors from 23 cities in 7 countries participated in the study. Data were collected by mail survey using the Aquatic Instructors Attitudes Toward Teaching Swimming to Individuals With Disabilities questionnaire (Conatser, Block, & Lapore, 2000). A correlated t test showed that aquatic instructors were significantly more favorable toward teaching aquatics to children with mild disabilities than children with severe disabilities. Instructors agreed they should include children with mild disabilities and disagreed over including severe disabilities. Although 100% of their programs offered swimming for children with disabilities, over half the instructors had segregated programs, did not consider parents’ thoughts in placement decisions, and did not feel prepared to teach children with disabilities. Results from this study are similar to findings from other studies conducted on aquatic instructors in the United States (Conatser, 2004, 2007a, 2007c; Conatser & Block 2001, 2002; Conatser, Block, & Gansneder, 2002).