Constraints to participation of persons with disabilities in out-door leisure and recreation activities in Nakawa Division, Kampala District

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the factors that hinder participation of PWDs in outdoor leisure and recreation activities in Nakawa Division. The study specifically addressed itself on the three variables that made the main themes for the investigation thus: intrapersonal, physical and policy related constraints being the identified factors that affect participation of PWDs in outdoor leisure and recreation activities. A total of 65 respondents (60 PWDs for quantitative research and 5 key informants for qualitative research) were purposively sampled from elected areas of Nakawa Division, Kampala District. The literature got from other researchers was cited and acknowledged. The tools used for data collection were a Questionnaire for PWDs and an Interview Guide for Key Informants. The data collected were coded using a five-response Likert scale. Data were organized and summarized using frequencies and percentages. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 13 was used. Pearson Correlation was used to test the hypotheses. Three hypotheses were formulated to explore whether intrapersonal, physical and policy related constraints affect participation of PWDs in outdoor leisure and recreation activities. It was found out that intrapersonal, physical and policy related constraints significantly affect participation of PWDs in outdoor leisure and recreation. The recommendations as away forward were given. Among those put forward were; that policy makers should formulate specific policies and laws that clearly address the need for accessible outdoor leisure and recreation facilities in order to enhance active participation of PWDs. It was also suggested that further research be carried out to establish more variables that may hinder active participation of PWDs in outdoor leisure and recreation pursuits, so that the getting PWDs to participate in outdoor leisure and recreation receives national attention as a human right issue and not just a privilege.