Gains and Gaps: Perspectives of people with disabilities on Title II of the ADA and accommodations in recreation contexts

The World Health Organization (WHO) encourages all to engage in regular physical activity to maintain lifelong health and quality of life. However, approximately 12% of adults aged 18–64 years have a disability, and nearly half are inactive creating a disparity in the participation rates in leisure engagement (Rimmer, Riley, Wang, & Rauworth, & Jurkowski, 2004). Individuals can be physically active through engagement in recreation activities offered by public parks and recreation departments which are legally mandated to make reasonable accommodations. While the ADA has afforded important gains to accessing activities of their choosing, do they meet the accommodation needs of individuals with disabilities? Do they promote active living and satisfying engagement? The purpose of this study was to understand the perspectives of people with disabilities who participate in public park and recreation services on whether their accommodation needs are met and if they are effective in facilitating meaningful recreation experiences. A qualitative investigation using focus groups was conducted to understand participant (N = 43) perspectives on Title II accommodations and ways they facilitated a satisfying experience. Focus groups were conducted in Chicago, Tampa, Denver, and Baltimore to gain cross sectional geographical perspectives. Participants reported requesting reasonable accommodations as way to exercise civil rights and gain access to meaningful recreation activities. They also reported a duality in requesting accommodations in that they were met with confusion, lack of understanding, and reluctance. It is recommended that the park and recreation professionals view making reasonable accommodations as an issue of social justice and important professional skill.