Deborah Shapiro
Professor - Program Coordinator for Health and Physical Education Kinesiology and Health- Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Indiana University, 1999
Master of Science, Adapted Physical Education and Motor Development, Michigan State University, 1995
Bachelor of Arts, Honors, in Physical Education and Psychology, York University, 1993
- Specializations
Disability Sport
Sport psychology
Adapted Physical Education
Physical activity promotion
Motor development and skill learning
Children and youth with physical, visual impairments, intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Biography
Deborah Shapiro has worked with individuals with physical disabilities, Autism spectrum disorder, visual impairments and individuals with intellectual disabilities in recreation programs, summer camps, adapted sport settings, and has taught adapted physical education to students with disabilities ages preschool through adulthood in public and center schools.
Her primary research focus has been in the area of psychosocial factors of sport participation among youth athletes with disabilities, and the physical activity benefits from sport participation among youth athletes with a physical disability. Dr. Shapiro has also written on issues related to inclusive practices in professional preparation of teachers and sport management professionals. She has published in leading peer review journals in adapted physical education, recreation, and sport management.
Dr. Shapiro has received several awards for her scholarship and leadership in the field of adapted physical activity including: the Hollis Fait Scholarly Contribution award, the William A. Hillman Distinguished Service award, and the ASPIRE award for advocacy.
Dr. Shapiro is the program coordinator for the undergraduate Health and Physical Education Program and the PhD concentration in physical education teacher education. She teaches undergraduate courses in adapted physical education, disability sport, and motor development and graduate classes in adapted physical education, and action research.
Dr. Shapiro serves on the board of directors for the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs, is a founding board member and board chair of the Georgia Blind Sports Association and member of several national and international groups focused on the advancement of sport, physical activity and physical education for persons with disabilities. Dr. Shapiro served as chair of the Adapted Physical Education Special Interest Group through SHAPE America and as associate editor and current editorial board for the Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly.
- Publications
Shapiro, D. R. (2019). A Preliminary Look at a Collegiate Intramural Wheelchair Basketball Season on Beliefs, Attitudes and Behaviors of Participants without Disabilities. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Education.
Shapiro, D. R., Pitts, B., & Cottingham, M. (2017). Purpose and perceived benefits for the inclusion of disability sport topics in the introduction to sport management course. Sport Management International Journal Choregia, 13(2), 17-33
Pitts, B., & Shapiro, D. R. (2017). People with disabilities in sport: An exploration of topic inclusion in sport management. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport, Tourism and Education. 21, 33-45
Cottingham, M., Carroll, M., Lee, D., Shapiro, D.R., & Pitts, B. (2016). The historical realization of the Americans with Disabilities Act on athletes with disabilities. Journal of Legal Aspects of Sport, 26, 5-21. doi.org/10.1123/jlas.2015-0014
Shapiro, D. R., & Malone, L. (2016). Quality of life and psychological affect related to sport participation in children and youth athletes with physical disabilities. Disability and Health Journal, 9, 385-391.
Shapiro, D. R. & Martin, J. J. (2014). The relationships among sport self-perceptions and social well-being in athletes with physical disabilities. Disability and Health Journal, 7(1), 42-48. doi:10.1016/j.dhjo.2013.06.002
