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Adaptive Sports Research
 

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Erika Barker (she/they) is the Adaptive Sports and Fitness (ASF) Monitoring & Evaluation Coordinator. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Social Work with a Master’s Degree in Social Work focused on Program Evaluation and Applied Research. They also have their B.S. from the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology in Movement Science with a minor in Dance. Erika is very passionate about research methods, methodologies, and social justice. Specifically, determining how to best ask questions and analyze data to increase inclusivity. Outside of work, they enjoy traveling, unsweetened iced tea, cross stitching, reading fantasy, and ballroom dancing.

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Saumya Gupta (name/any) is a disability scholar-activist and Project Coordinator for the Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services (SAAS). With a background in biomedical engineering, their life's work is to co-create solutions and co-dream worlds that actually meet the needs of fellow queer crips. Saumya's work with SAAS includes researching and advocating for the experiences of disabled students at U-M, exploring the potential of adaptive sports as a bridge between the healthcare and disability communities, and acting as backbone support for the Well-being Collective. Their personal research interest is in improving disability education within healthcare.

  • ASIRI is a collaboration between the 7 Ann Arbor Public Middle Schools and ASF. It involves a train-the-trainer model where ASF provides professional development, curriculum, and equipment for the middle schools and the teachers provide a unique educational experience that includes adaptive sports in their gym class. 

  • Currently, Erika oversees the evaluation and research for ASIRI. They use mixed methods, using both surveys and a focus group component. If you are interested in learning more about the ASIRI research please reach out to Erika directly (erikabar@umich.edu).

ASIRI

Rx to Play

  • Rx to Play, funded by the Craig H. Nielsen Foundation, is a program that bridges the gap between healthcare and the disability community with participation in adaptive sports. ASF hosts events to introduce people with disabilities and healthcare providers to adaptive sports, with the goal of raising awareness of adaptive sports as a means to maintain well-being.

  • Currently, Saumya oversees the team effort of evaluation and research for Rx to Play. This involves the qualitative coding analysis of interviews with program participants. If you are interested in learning more about Rx to Play research, please reach out to Saumya directly (saugupta@umich.edu)

  • The ASRC is a collaboration between Adaptive Sports researchers across the country (and world). It creates a space for adaptive sports researchers and programs to discuss current research efforts and unique challenges faced by the adaptive sports communities. Saumya and Erika co-facilitate the ASRC meetings. 

ASRC

HPSSC Intern

  • ASF and the University of Michigan Human Performance & Sport Science Center (HPSSC) and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) have a collaborative internship opportunity for masters level kinesiology students. Partnered with the UMich wheelchair basketball team and their head coach Jessica Wynne, the master's student leads a project on wheelchair and body movement using inertial measuring units (IMUs). They are mentored by Dr. Geoff Burns, Dr. Ken Kozloff, Dr. Ron Zernicke, Susan Rinaldi, Dr. Feranmi Okanlami, Jessica Wynne, and Erika Barker. If you are a student at the University of Michigan interested in this opportunity please reach out to Susan Rinaldi at rinaldis@umich.edu.

Past Projects

  • Wheelchair Rugby Athletes with Spinal Cord Injury Study

    • Collaboration with the University of Houston

    • Survey of 75 wheelchair rugby athletes with spinal cord injuries on autonomic dysreflexia and sexual health

 

Publications & Presentations

Publications

  • Barker E, Grewe S, Lawal T, Gupta S, Robeznieks E, Okanlami OO (2024) Findings from the first year of the Adaptive Sports and Inclusive Recreation Initiative (ASIRI) (in progress).

  • Gupta S, Lawal O, Andres M, Barker E, Robeznieks E, Okanlami OO (2024) The impact of adaptive sports participation on bridging the healthcare and disability communities: A qualitative study on the participants of the Prescription to Play program (in progress).​

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Presentations

  • Barker, E., Elliott, B. (2024, December 6). Adaptive Sports and Inclusive Recreation Initiative. In School of Kinesiology Health and Fitness Workshop, Ann Arbor, MI. 

  • Barker, E., Kelley, C., Elliott, B., & Stoops, K. (2024, November 8). Adaptive Sports & Inclusive Recreation. In Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) Conference, Lansing, MI.

  • Barker, E., Kelley, C., & Elliott, B. (2024, June 18). Adaptive Sports - How to Make Sport Inclusive for All. In MiSHCA Connecting with Kids Through School Health Conference, Mt. Pleasant, MI.

How to contact us


If you wish to collaborate on a research project or get involved with the research ASF is doing please email asfresearch@umich.edu.

© 2025 University of Michigan Adaptive Sports & Fitness. All rights reserved.

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