The Adaptive Sports & Fitness Research Team
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.
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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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)
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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)