Abstract
The dimension of leisure has acquired increasing value in contemporary societies, constituting a central and independent area for personal development and self-realisation. Accordingly, the infrastructure of leisure has been undergoing a significant growth, offering a wide variety of opportunities for leisure pursuit across multiple life contexts. However,the need to ensure inclusive processes within leisure still represents a critical issue that policy makers, researchers and leisure operators need to consider. Accordingly, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) sets forth the right to leisure for all people, including those with disabilities, demanding equal participation opportunities. Although the provision of inclusive leisure emerges as a fundamental dimension to foster social inclusion and active participation for all, limited research has explored the theoretical backgrounds, practical implications and pedagogical trajectories of people with disability’s participation in it. In this complex intersection, this contribution aims at analysing the contemporary challenges related to inclusive leisure for people with disabilities. Through the analysis of the connection between leisure and Quality of Life, supported by relevant evidence-based literature, this research unveils the facilitators, barriers and needs that people with disabilities experience in the pursuit of free time activities. The findings of this study underline the importance of addressing accessibility issues, promoting self-determination opportunities and framing free time pursuits within the significant paths traced within the Life Project. Insights emerging from this research can contribute to the definition of key trajectories that can guide the provision of inclusive and accessible leisure opportunities for all.
Presenters
Tommaso SantilliPhD Student, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, University of Macerata, Macerata, Italy Catia Giaconi
Professor, Education, University of Macerata, Italy Noemi Del Bianco
PhD, Education, University of Macerata, Italy Ilaria D'angelo
PhD Student, Education, University of Macerata, Italy
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Changing Dimensions of Contemporary Leisure
KEYWORDS
Special Pedagogy, Inclusive Leisure, Quality of Life, Life Project, Disability
