Interview Assignment
The purpose of this project is to give you additional insight into and awareness of the issues, experiences, and challenges facing an individual with a difference in ability from a first-hand perspective. The following guidelines can assist you in completing this experience.
Identify an individual you would like to interview. This may be a school-age child with ability differences, an adult with a difference in ability, a parent, sibling, or partner of an individual with a difference in ability, or another appropriate individual.
Contact the individual you would like to interview. You should identify yourself and briefly discuss the reason for the interview. Arrange a time for you to interview this individual, preferably in person.
Have the questions you want to ask prepared in advance of the interview. You need to develop at least five thoughtful questions of your own. The interview may also include some of the questions provided on the back of this page.
Beyond your questions, allow the individual to add any insights, experiences, or information that might not have been covered by your questions.
Turn in a typed report that includes these elements:
A narrative section of background information about the person you interviewed (name, age, ability, living status, and so on)
A list of the questions asked
A narrative summary of the information you gleaned from the interview
Your personal reaction and reflection on the insights and information you gained from the opportunity
Your paper should be typed in a 12-point font and double-spaced. The paper should be between three to four pages in length. Each section should be lettered and appropriately labeled. The paper should be well written and checked for errors before submission.
Suggested Interview Questions
Do you participate in any physical education or physical activities currently?
Are or were your experiences in physical education and activity positive? Why or why not?
What do you perceive as some of the biggest obstacles to your participation in physical education or physical activity?
Do you think things have changed regarding opportunities to participate in physical education or physical activity for people with differences in ability? What trends have you noticed?
How has physical education or physical activity affected you from a physical and emotional perspective?
What changes could and should be made regarding physical education or physical activity opportunities for individuals with ability differences?
What do you think is the most important concept or fact I should know as a future physical activity practitioner when it comes to people with ability differences?
What strategies do you think would help people without identified and labeled differences develop more accepting and positive attitudes toward people with differences in ability?
