Vera Dekkers

Vera Dekkers is a researcher and lecturer at Inholland University, affiliated with the Lectorate Power of Sport and Exercise. Her work focuses on fostering inclusion in sports for youth with disabilities, emphasizing policy development, educational material creation, and cross-cultural collaboration. She leads the SEDY2 project, funded by the EU, which aims to enhance inclusion in mainstream sports clubs through shared best practices. Her research spans qualitative studies on youth perspectives, parent insights, and sports professional attitudes across Finland, Lithuania, Portugal, and the Netherlands.

Key contributions include the Inclusion Handbook for Sport Clubs, an Educational Material Toolkit for educators, and multi-lingual publications addressing regional challenges. Vera collaborates with international partners to design tools like the Hobby Finder Tool to increase sports participation. Her work bridges theoretical research with practical implementation, advocating for accessible and inclusive sports environments.

Publications highlight themes such as digital accessibility, online focus group methodologies, and the impact of mobile apps on health behaviors. She has contributed to neighborhood-based sport initiatives and policy evaluations, demonstrating a commitment to both academic rigor and real-world application.