The aim of this thesis was to examine how the applicants with disabilities are taken into account in sports and leisure time education and what the applicants should know when applying for sport and leisure time education. Thesis was commissioned by The Finnish Paralympic Committee. The results will be used for the preparation of a project to be carried out in the spring 2024. The purpose of the project will be to research the entrance examination pattern of persons with disabilities.

The thesis was carried out as a qualitative research, where the material was collected in two different ways. The methods used were video interviews and a written form with open questions. Five professionals, working in sports and leisure time education, participated in the study. Participants worked in either universities of applied sciences or in vocational colleges.

After analysis of the material the themes eventually were formed to became known as: everyone has a chance, everything can be adjusted, effect of SORA provisions and regulations, you can not get through the front door, it is not deal-breaker question anymore and you are the expert of it. In the background, the theories related to the topic were equality, accessibility, legislation, disabilities, SORA provisions and regulations. The thesis will also briefly review the organizers of the sports and leisure time education.

As a result of the research, it becomes clear that the disabilities are no longer considered an obstacle for people applying to study sports and leisure time education. Modifying the application process and the entrance exams was not considered a problem. From professionals point of view, everything can be modified to suit the applicants. From the applicants point of view the results proved that everyone should use consideration in which of the schools you should apply to. Many schools are not fully accessible, and it thought that it may affect the meaningfulness of studies. Familiarity and general feeling of safety are also considered to have an effect to the application process.

The conclusion was that there are no big obstacles for people with disabilities when to apply for sports and leisure educations studies. The application process is considered to be equal to everyone as the entrance exams can be modified to suit all. The possibility to offer modified entrance exams fulfils the requirement of equality.