The design and construction of leisure and outdoor sports spaces should contemplate what kind of situations to be effectively accessible to all? Is it enough to eliminate physical barriers or are there other areas, namely, socially and culturally, that we need to intervene?
Girls and women with a disability are less likely than others to participate in sport at all levels and a number of reasons have been identified for these lower participation rates: beliefs about the role and importance of physical activity: internal barriers of individual motivation; and external barriers to participation, in particular lack of opportunity. Physical barriers are often identified as the main area of focus to increasing physical activity and sport opportunities but removing physical barriers will not automatically increase participation and there is the need to increase social and cultural interventions. From a policy point of view, it is thus important to promote girls and women with a disability as role models through publicity materials. At the same time, it would be very useful to provide opportunities for women with a disability to become coaches or part of the staff team and/or to train all staff to be confident and competent in coaching and working with people with a disability. These, together with active consultation with disability organisations, will enhance the possibility of adapting any sport session to include a member with a disability.
