Mídia, esporte paraolímpico e o capacitismo sobre a pessoa com deficiência: percepção de professores(as) de Educação Física em formação.

Abstract

Paralympic sport, as a social and media phenomenon, plays a significant role in shaping representations of adapted sports. This representation reflects contradictions: while it serves as a tool for inclusion and empowerment, its portrayal in the media can oscillate between heroic glorification and the perpetuation of ableist stigmas, influencing public perception of athletes with disabilities. The study aimed to understand the perception of Physical Education undergraduate students (bachelor’s degree) regarding Paralympic sports and athletes, focusing on the influence of media coverage. The research was descriptive and exploratory in nature, involving 12 students from the Physical Education bachelor’s program at the Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL). The methodology consisted of administering questionnaires before and after the screening of three videos on the topic. Only nine participants completed the final stage of the research. Data analysis followed a thematic approach with an inductive framework. The results showed that the videos influenced the students' perceptions in two ways: (1) fostering a broader understanding and promoting a more inclusive and respectful attitude toward athletes with disabilities, and (2) reinforcing stereotypes. It was concluded that the media shapes young people's understanding of Paralympic sports and highlights the need to include discussions on media representation and ableism in Physical Education training programs, with audiovisual resources serving as a potential educational tool.