A meta-analysis of the effect of adapted physical activity service-learning programs on college student attitudes toward people with disabilities

The present analysis suggests that different service-learning programs have different effects, and factors like requirement status and type of involvement may lead to greater changes in attitudes toward disability.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONAdapted physical activity service learning has positive, yet small, effects on college student attitudes toward disability.Service-learning practitioners should aim to increase autonomy within service learning by providing multiple choices and opportunities to college students, such as a variety of practicum types, locations, and disability populations to choose from.Service-learning practitioners should encourage the development of common goals between college students and people with disabilities and integrate shared activities that are familiar to both groups in order to promote optimal contact conditions and enhance attitude change.Programs that intend to change attitudes toward people with disabilities should incorporate strategies specifically designed to target attitude change.