Disability inclusion in outdoor adventure: what do outdoor recreation guides really think

Introduction/Conceptualization: Introduction: Outdoor recreation programs have been created to assist people in safely spending more time being involved in nature through outdoor activities. Including people with disabilities in leisure activities in the outdoors improves health outcomes in areas such as physical fitness, mental health, and social well-being. Evidence in this field is still emerging, and further information is needed to ensure equitable access, participation, and engagement for individuals with disabilities in outdoor recreation settings. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of outdoor recreation guides on including individuals with disabilities within formalised outdoor recreational programs in Australia.

Approach/Description: Approach: In this qualitative study, twelve outdoor recreation guides from four different organisations were recruited to participate in semi-structured interviews, face-to-face or via the online meeting platform Zoom. The interviews focussed on the guides and their perspectives on disability inclusion in outdoor recreation programs. The data was analysed using reflective thematic analysis using NVivo software. The Social Model of Disability was used as the theoretical framework for this study as it emphasises how societal perceptions and attitudes have influenced policy and equality changes over time. This was used in conjunction with constructionist epistemology to explore the insights of the outdoor guides and how their perceptions shape their understanding and experience of including individuals with disabilities in outdoor settings. Five main themes emerged from the analysis of the interview transcripts: I’m puzzled, describes the participants' knowledge of disability; Let’s do this, explores the participant’s feelings around disability inclusion; Stop and Think, looks at the participant's hesitation in including individuals with disabilities; Who I am inside, describes what attributes participants would expect from an inclusive outdoor guide; Ready or not- here I come, indicates what participants suggested would assist them in being more inclusive.

Considerations/Conclusions: Conclusions: The study emphasised the outdoor recreation guide’s perspective of providing inclusive activities for individuals with disabilities. It highlighted the need for further education on disability terminology and definitions, as well as the necessity for additional resources, such as updated policies and the funding of adaptive equipment.