Introduction
Every human being exists within a diverse social space. Although people are constantly unaware of the social world around them, their lives unfold within social contexts crowded with individuals who are different from each other (Rivera et al., 2024). The people who fill situations in their ordinary lives often differ in various ways, like sex, ethnicity, cultural beliefs, economic capabilities, and religious and political standing. The exclusive difference among people does not bother so long as people can feel, think, and behave within the realms of a diverse society (Mayer and Anderson, 2014). Two fundamental ideas emerge from human beings being perpetually embedded in diversity.
To begin with, people are considered part of the social contexts that reflect their behaviours, and such situations are hard for people to understand independently. In addition, since human beings live and coexist in social spaces, it is difficult for them to understand the situations in which they interact. Whereas diversity is a comprehensive subject that entails a lot of information, one aspect of diversity and inclusion that continues to bear the impact of ignorance is the encounters of people living with a disability. According to Darcy et al. (2023), individuals living with disability represent a vibrant and diverse community of people comprising a wide range of healthcare conditions ranging from sensory challenges to physical impairments and cognitive issues.
World Health Organization (2010) estimates that at least 15% of the total global population are people living with a particular form of disability. This translates to about 1 billion people across the world. Accordingly, statistics indicate that disability is more prevalent in developing countries, hindering the victims from achieving social and economic inclusion, including access to physical environments, recreation centres, and a lack of assistive devices that can facilitate their daily routines (Rivera et al., 2024). However, global efforts to create awareness and rally for a disability-inclusive environment have gathered momentum for the last ten years. For instance, the (CRPD) was recently ratified by over 185 nations, stimulating efforts to comprehensively integrate people with disabilities into society (Dzidic et al., 2013). Furthermore, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development affirms that disability is no longer a criterion or a reason for some people to lack access to fundamental development programs and fail to realize their full potential as human rights.
In the area of Recreation, many people with disabilities have an extra underlying challenge that hinders them from proactively participating in the activities within the recreation centres. Besides, the design of the recreation centres makes them vulnerable to severe injuries, which further discourages them from using these social amenities (Dzidic et al., 2013). Despite the efforts developed by governments and the global communities to eradicate disability barriers, people with disabilities continue to face serious challenges that inhibit their active participation in recreation activities within the recreation industry. DelvingDelving into inclusivity and disability awareness in the recreation centre will contribute towards establishing an inclusive environment and disability-friendly surroundings that support disabled people in thriving in recreation activities.
Disability, Awareness, and Inclusivity
Disability is a mental or physical challenge that significantly limits one from effectively attending to one or more key activities in life, including walking, eating, seeing, breathing, taking care of oneself and working. According to Mayer and Anderson (2014), the cause of disability may be genetic, which means that it is acquired through one’s genetic composition or through illness or injuries within a person’s lifespan. As noted in the above discussion, there is a wide variety of disabilities affecting individuals, with each type requiring unique assistance (Wolbring and Lillywhite, 2021). Therefore, understanding different types of disabilities is imperative for making proper accommodations to ensure that the victims are well-catered within the larger society.
To begin with, there is a visual disability. According to Dzidic et al. (2013), visible disability refers to the inability of an individual to perceive colour or light, see objects, make correct judgments of distances, or access information in visual media such as video, print, and images. The most common symptoms of visual impairment include low vision, total blindness, and colour blindness. The cause of visual disability is complex, with some studies indicating that genetic factors like retinitis pigmentosa, physical damage to the brain or the eye, or degenerative illnesses such as macular degeneration can cause it. Apart from visual disabilities, mobility is another crucial type of disability (Rivera et al., 2024). This type of disability often makes it difficult for individuals to use their feet, hands, or legs, and some of the critical symptoms include loss of fine motor control, muscle slowness, tremors, and paralysis, among others. Mobility is very important in the lives of human beings. It is crucial for accomplishing one’s day-to-day activities, and therefore, the inability to move from one area to another curtail one’s life (Darcy et al., 2023). A myriad of factors causes mobility challenges, but research findings indicate that accidents are the leading cause of mobility disability in the world. According to statistics, one in every five people living with a disability is a result of an injury that occurred during work or any other accidents. Other types of disabilities include auditory, neurological, cognitive, and medical.
Generally, it is important to understand the prevalence of disability, especially for public discourse, to address the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. The United States is among the countries in the world with a relatively high prevalence of disabilities (Wolbring and Lillywhite, 2021). In 2022, a report by the American Community Survey (ACS) indicated that the prevalence rate of people living with disability across all ages was 13.4%. In other words, out of the 329,678,800 people in the United States, 44,200,300 reported one or more disability cases (Darcy et al., 2023). Out of the various types of disabilities, the most prevalent form of disability is ambulatory disability, which stands at 6.7%, while the lowest is visual disability at 2.5% (Dobusch, 2021).
Living with a disability is such an expensive endeavour. It can significantly increase the cost of medication and other frequent healthcare services, such as wheelchair-accessible vehicles, adaptive clothing, devices, and in-home personal assistance, alongside the typical cost of living. Research conducted indicates that getting ill for people living with a disability only makes the financial stresses worse (Rivera et al., 2024). For instance, survey findings show that 44% of long-term disabled Americans with serious illnesses consumed all their savings compared with 24% of seriously ill Americans without disability (Mayer and Anderson, 2014). Further, statistics reveal that 29% of the seriously sick Americans living with long-term disability are unable to cater for basic needs such as housing, food, and heat, against the 12% of those without disability. In addition, it is estimated that 64% of long-term disability individuals with serious illnesses express their intention to work and participate in socially available activities but are unable to because of the barriers that discourage them from doing so (World Health Organization, 2010). Besides, 58% of this population also report that immediately they become ill, they become unable to perfectly do their work or engage in recreational activities like they used to before falling ill. On the contrary, only a third of the seriously sick people living with disability report experiencing either work or recreation-related challenges.
It is clear that disability is an issue that is deeply embedded in society, and the majority of disabled people require critical support to ensure that they live a better and more fulfilling life. Whereas efforts have been established to improve the condition of living for disabled people, it is evident that the majority of the victims continue to face overwhelming challenges due to a lack of basic support systems (Wolbring and Lillywhite, 2021). As a result, disability continues to be a major barrier to the socioeconomic prosperity of the victims, given that it discourages people from fully taking advantage of their abilities to thrive in a socially competitive environment (Gillies and Dupuis, 2016). However, there is a rallying call for stakeholders across multiple industries to pursue the inclusion of disabled people in society. Inclusion is a call to have people with disability participate in their daily activities and motivate them to actively take on roles similar to their colleagues without disability (Wildemeersch et al., 2013). Therefore, this entails encouraging people with disability and ensuring that adequate policies and practices exist within the community to support them. Therefore, inclusion is a crucial aspect of helping people with disabilities, as it contributes to their increased engagement in socially desirable activities and roles in life.
Disability Inclusion in Recreation Centers
Like art and culture, leisure, Recreation, and sports activities play a critical role in the communities. Research shows that active participation in Recreation, leisure, and sports activities offers many benefits, such as improving the well-being and health of the individual, promoting effective growth and development of inclusive communities, and contributing to the empowerment of people in various ways. Recreation, therefore, may entail an individual, a community, a team, people with disability, and people with different ages, skills, and abilities. Thus, the recreational activities people engage in tend to vary based on the trend and local context to reflect their cultural values and social systems. According to the World Health Organization (2010), engaging in recreational activities is among the fundamental activities for people with disabilities to participate in and positively contribute to communal life actively.
In the contemporary fast-paced world, it is therefore becoming very significant to enhance and promote inclusivity of the people living with disability in the recreation industry while ensuring that everyone gets a fair chance to access the available opportunities. A key area where inclusivity is quite fundamental, as mentioned before, is in the realm of disability recreation and sport (Fujimoto et al., 2014). Despite the societal and physical barriers faced by the majority of the people living with disability, there is a growing desire and movement to establish initiatives and programs that offer fair opportunities for active participation.
Disability isn’t just about allowing people with disability to participate in recreational activities and sports. Instead, it focuses on developing and establishing a conducive environment where each individual feels valued and welcome, regardless of their challenges. Therefore, by promoting inclusivity in the recreation centres, not only are opportunities provided to support the physical activity of people living with disability, but it also encourages self-expression and social interaction and leads to improved emotional well-being (Wildemeersch et al., 2013). In the last decade, many disability-related recreation programs and initiatives have taken centre stage across the universe. These programs are designed to understand and address the challenging needs and disabilities, ensuring people can proactively participate in physical and social activities according to their needs. For instance, the Paralympic Games are a sporting and Recreational activity conducted seasonally to support disabled people. Since 1960, the Paralympic Games, which run alongside the Olympic games, have demonstrated the determination and athletic prowess of people with disabilities (Fujimoto et al., 2014). Despite the fair share of challenges that exist in this sporting activity, it remains an elite sporting event that highlights the need for adaptive sports, offering a platform for disabled people across the world to compete at the highest level and improve their physical and social well-being (Wildemeersch et al., 2013). By creating awareness and celebrating the achievement of people living with disability in Recreational and sporting activities, the Paralympic games have undoubtedly played a crucial role in transforming and enhancing public views towards disability and Recreational achievement.
Another model sport that has significantly improved the status of people living with a disability is the Special Olympics. Since its foundation in 1968, this event has grown to become the world’s largest sports organization, targeting people living with intellectual disabilities (Wildemeersch et al., 2013). The program provides all-year training and competition opportunities in various recreational and sports activities to promote physical fitness, empower individuals, mitigate stigmas linked to emotional disabilities, and promote social integration. Similarly, Disabled Sports USA is another disability-oriented national sports non-profit organization designed to offer numerous opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in recreational and sports activities. Through its established networks of community-based chapters, Disabled Sports USA provides diverse programs such as wheelchair basketball, alpine skiing, cycling, and water sports (Rivera et al., 2024). The Disabled Sports USA adopts an inclusive approach that ensures that people living with disabilities have adequate access to the equipment, resources, and training required to participate in these programs comprehensively.
Last but not least, access to Recreation is another critical component of supporting people with disability to take advantage of the available recreational centres to improve their social and physical well-being. Gillies and Dupuis (2016) argue that access to Recreation is considered a grassroots initiative designed to offer inclusive and diverse opportunities for people with disabilities within the local communities. These programs mainly focus on accommodating and adopting the existing recreational facilities within the local community to offer training and guidance to recreational advocates and managers for inclusive programming and policies, promoting an environment where people with disabilities can engage and thrive alongside their colleagues.
Benefits of Inclusivity in Disability Sport and Recreation Initiatives
Diversity and inclusivity in sports and recreational activities offer incredible and remarkable benefits, both for people living with disabilities and for society in general. To begin with, the inclusion of individuals with disability in recreational activities promotes physical health and well-being. Participating in physical activities improves muscle tone, cardiovascular health, and the overall fitness levels of disabled people (Gillies and Dupuis, 2016). Therefore, inclusivity empowers them with the skills and knowledge to engage in activities that fit their unique abilities, promoting their physical health and improving their quality of life. Another aspect of inclusivity in recreational activities is mental well-being. Recreation and sports activities offer an outlet to relieve stress, achieve emotional well-being, and promote personal growth. By enhancing and promoting inclusivity, people with disabilities can access various mental health benefits, promoting emotional resilience and self-confidence and achieving a sense of belonging.
Furthermore, inclusivity in recreation centres promotes social interaction, eventually fostering a sense of friendships and mitigating feelings of isolation (Dzidic et al., 2013). Engaging in recreational and adaptive sports activities allows people living with disabilities to connect and share their experiences, hence establishing a supportive community. Finally, inclusivity and diversity improve perception and awareness. By granting opportunities for people with disabilities to engage in recreational and sports activities proactively, such initiatives challenge and transform society’s perceptions of disability (Wildemeersch et al., 2013). As a result, it creates an awareness that promotes a more diverse and inclusive culture that empowers and values people living with disability to realize their full potential.
Challenges of Inclusivity in Disability Sport and Recreation Initiatives
Although significant progress has been achieved over the years in promoting inclusivity in disability recreation initiatives, there continue to be crucial challenges that need to be mitigated to ensure comprehensive and adequate access to recreational centres by individuals living with a disability (Fujimoto et al., 2014). One of the primary challenges is access to infrastructure. According to research, the availability of accessible recreational facility infrastructure continues to be a critical step towards achieving inclusivity. Recreational facilities should, therefore, be adequately equipped with required adaptations, including wider doors, ramps, and accessible restrooms, to ensure that people with disabilities can effectively participate in the various activities in the recreational centres (Gillies and Dupuis, 2016). Additionally, lack of education and awareness is a key challenge hindering inclusivity in recreational facilities for individuals with disabilities. Creating awareness regarding recreational and sports initiatives is crucial to attract support and establish inclusive communities. Outreach programs and educational campaigns need to dispel the myths surrounding disability and mitigate the misconceptions about disabled people.
Call to Action
The essence of this discussion was to examine the extent of disability awareness and inclusivity in recreation centres, targeting Recreation centre program leaders and instructors to understand different types of disabilities, provide inclusive program design for promoting disability inclusivity in recreational centres as well, and foster a supportive environment while giving inclusive communication. Based on the above discussion, it is evident that inclusivity in recreational facilities is a serious challenge for people with disability and significantly hinders them from accessing and developing their physical, social, and mental well-being. The call to action, therefore, includes providing inclusion training for Recreation Center program leaders, instructors, staff, and volunteers. According to Gillies and Dupuis (2016), putting inclusion into action is demanding, often requiring everybody’s responsibility. That is precisely why there is a need to offer training to establish the framework for inclusive recreation programs. Studies further reveal that inclusion training promotes confidence among the program leaders, helping them to provide the necessary support for people living with disabilities effectively. By making sure that volunteers, coaches, instructors, program leaders, and staff are well equipped with the training of inclusion required, then they can adequately and effectively adapt the recreational activities they oversee and establish a conducive environment where each participant can thrive regardless of their disability or lack of it (Rivera et al., 2024). As a result, there is a need for stakeholders in these programs and initiatives to provide training sessions and workshops regarding disability awareness while mainly focusing on the ways to develop inclusive programs and environments that cater to the needs of people living with disability (Fujimoto et al., 2014). The KIT I Can Be Inclusive Series is a five-course series that provides Recreation and Sport Management (RESM) professionals with primary information about disability inclusion. Consequently, there is a need to offer relevant resources, including manuals, books, and online materials that explicitly explain how to work with individuals with disability depending on their ages, how to tune the recreational activities and programs to meet their needs as well as how to help and support as required.
Finally, Recreation and Sport Management (RESM) professionals, such as instructors and program leaders, must implement accessible activities, equipment, and facilities to promote inclusivity in the recreational centres. Adaptability and accessibility are the backbone of disability-related inclusive programs. Without it, people living with disabilities will continue struggling to participate and feel excluded, which affects their willingness and confidence to participate in recreational activities (Gillies and Dupuis, 2016). This challenge emanates from myths and misconceptions held by parents, a lack of proactive efforts from relevant stakeholders, and uncertainty among administrators and educators on how to establish accessible environments, regardless of how well-intentioned they could be. To avert these challenges, studies propose starting with small and manageable changes, often executing easy-to-adapt ideas. Fujimoto et al. (2014) indicate that it is important to conduct a needs assessment to establish the accessibility needs of people with disabilities, even as they plan to participate in recreational initiatives. This entails the identification of potential physical, cognitive, and sensory disabilities that require particular accommodations. After the needs identification process, Recreation and Sport Management (RESM) professionals may begin making the recreational initiatives more accessible one step after the other. Continuous review and evaluation of the program’s accessibility, equipment, and facilities while making the necessary changes as required is fundamental to making sure that the program continues to meet the diverse needs of people living with disabilities.
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