A Qualitative Investigation of Barriers and Facilitators to Physical Activity Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in a Small Southern Alberta City

• Author / Creator

  Chisholm, Tara M

• Introduction: Rarely have the barriers and facilitators of PA for persons with a disability (PwD) living in a small city been the focus of researchers, despite the emergence of studies in the last two decades about the importance of PA for PwD. Numerous studies have investigated the barriers and facilitators to PA opportunities for PwD in urban centers, however, little was known about the barriers and facilitators to PA for PwD who reside in small cities. Methods: The purpose of this study was to perform an in-depth exploration of the barriers and facilitators of PA for PwD living in a small southern Alberta city. Interpretive description was employed with 12 PwD ranging in age from 26 to 71 years old. Using a variety of data collection techniques, information about the PA experiences, as well as, the key facilitators and barriers to meaningful PA engagement for PwD were captured. Results: The conceptual claim of this study was that PwD recognized that PA was important for their overall health, but there was a lack of PA opportunities within their small city. Through increased involvement in inclusive PA, PwD felt they could become more visible within their community and help change attitudes towards PwD. Participants reported a range of barriers including: (a) accessibility issues, (b) lack of transportation (c) lack of community awareness, (d) limited programming and equipment, (e) financial cost, and (f) health concerns. The facilitators included: (a) awareness, (b) personal perspectives, (c) existing activities, and (d) supports. Conclusions: These findings added to the growing body of literature about barriers and facilitators to PA for PwD. Within the facilitators, the notion that “everybody knows everybody” appeared unique to living in a small city and highlighted how the nature of small communities can lead to a strong sense of social connectedness (McPhedran, 2011) which was critical to participants’ sense of inclusion in PA and community.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Disability
  • Facilitators
  • Barriers
  • Inclusion
  • Interpretive Description
  • Small City

• Graduation date

  Spring 2015

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Arts

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3M902F82

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.