C HAPTER 5 Barriers to Recreation Participation

B ARRIER VS. C ONSTRAINTS Stop or inhibit participation Move to concept of constraints over last couple of decades

M OST C OMMON C ONSTRAINTS ?? What constraints do you experience in your leisure participation? 2 most often cited by general population??

H IERARCHICAL T YPOLOGY OF C ONSTRAINTS (C RAWFORD AND G ODBEY ) Intrapersonal (within person: fear, lack of confidence, lack of energy, etc.) Interpersonal (between people: time schedules, different interests, lack of someone with whom to participate, etc.) Structural (outside of person: lack of accessibility, attitude, etc.) Must solve intrapersonal, interpersonal, and then structural (order)

C ONSTRAINTS N EGOTIATION (J ACKSON, C RAWFORD, AND G ODBEY, 1993) People negotiate constraints—participation is not necessarily stopped or inhibited Constraint Negotiation Strategies: behavioral (approx 90 – 95 percent) cognitive (approx 5 – 10 percent) combination of both strategies

C ONSTRAINTS AND PWD PWD experience same/similar constraints as do persons without disabilities; however, pwd may experience these constraints in an intensified manner and may have additional constraints specifically related to disability

T YPES OF B ARRIERS Intrinsic Barriers are constraints that result from an individual’s own physical, emotional, or cognitive limitations. Environmental Barriers are composed of many external forces that are imposed on the individual by societal or natural conditions.

I NTRINSIC B ARRIERS Lack of Knowledge Individuals are unable to recognize their maximum level of leisure functioning because they lack essential knowledge of programs, facilities, and other recreation/leisure resources. Why/How does this happen? Solutions?

I NTRINSIC B ARRIERS Social Ineffectiveness Individuals display ineffective social skills and inappropriate behavior in social situations due to parental overprotection, segregation from peers without disabilities, and inadequate feedback on social situations. Results in a depression/isolation/depression cycle Solutions?

I NTRINSIC B ARRIERS Health Problems Some types of disabilities present recurring health problems which can make participation in certain activities very limited. Does every person with a disability have health- related problems? Contraindications Solutions?

I NTRINSIC B ARRIERS Physical and Psychological Dependency Occurs when persons with disabilities do not achieve independent functioning, not due to the actual impact of their disability, but to “learning” to be dependent by being overprotected and/or over assisted by others Physical dependence occurs when someone does “too” much for persons with disabilities—tasks the he or she could do for him/herself Psychological dependence becomes “internalized oppression” and does not foster initiative, creative thought, risk-taking, and perseverance in action Learned helplessness results Can be specific or global

I NTRINSIC B ARRIERS Skill/Challenge Gap Occurs when the challenge presented by an activity does not match the skills of the participant If challenge is high and skill is low: anxiety occurs If challenge is low and skills are high: boredom occurs Why/How does this occur specific to persons with disabilities? Solutions?

E NVIRONMENTAL B ARRIERS Attitudinal Barriers Behaviors, which may be exhibited by family, friends, or strangers, are broken down into three categories: 1) Negative behaviors inform the individual that he or she has less value than a person who does not have a disability. 2) Paternalistic behaviors occur when people treat adolescents/adults with a disability like they are children. 3) Apathetic behaviors take place when people without a disability do not portray feelings of sympathy, understanding, or caring toward people who have a disability. Which behaviors can be changed?

E NVIRONMENTAL B ARRIERS Architectural Barriers Structures such as buildings and walkways that present an obstacle for people with disabilities. Solution? Ecological Barriers Physical obstacles, such as hills, trees, sand, and rain, that occur in the natural environment. Solutions?

E NVIRONMENTAL B ARRIERS Transportation Barriers The lack of usable/affordable transportation for individuals with a disability can prevent individuals from participating in community resources. Solutions? Economic Barriers Financial restrictions caused by limited job opportunities, low-paying positions, and high cost for special transportation and assistance for people with disabilities. Solutions?

E NVIRONMENTAL B ARRIERS Rules and Regulations Barrier When existing rules and regulations of an agency inhibit or stop recreation participation by persons with disabilities Examples in text Solutions?

E NVIRONMENTAL B ARRIERS Barriers of Omission Failure of society to provide for the needs of individuals who have disabilities. Failure to provide accessible facilities, failure to advertise programs, failure to make accommodations, etc. Solutions?