Ireland is renowned for its natural beauty, incredible landscapes, and breathtaking
coastlines. Given the nature and locations of the Irish landscape, which is often
rugged and remote, accessing the great outdoors and engaging in outdoor pursuits
can present many challenges, particularly for people who may have a range of
disabilities.Some environments can be welcoming and easy to traverse while others
can present challenges for the visitor, particularly for people who have a disability.
Inaccessibility of the natural and built environments often limits opportunities to
participate in various types of recreation, sport, and leisure physical activity in both
indoor and outdoor settings. Too often people with disabilities are excluded from
participating in activities in the outdoor environment because of the lack of
accessible amenities or the absence of disability awareness amongst service
providers.
In 2016 the national census showed that 13.5% of the Irish population were living
with a disability. Health professionals are aware of the growing need to assist people
with disabilities in self-managing their own health by creating disability-friendly
communities that eliminate the physical, programmatic, and attitudinal barriers that
often prevent or limit participation. When designing communniry based health
promotion programs inclusivity is essential. Through reasonable accommodations
and modifications, people with disabilities can exercise their human rights on an
equal basis with others. Accessibility can be built into the design and management of
trails and public parks including our very own Greenway which we are blessed to
have in the west of Ireland. Facilities such as picnic areas and playgrounds that are
provided on-site are used by everyone. By reviewing the outdoor environment and
strategically planing how adaptations can be incorporated into nature’s design to
accommodate people with disabilities will enable them to exercise their right to
remain physically active, socialise and enjoy the many benefits that being in the
outdoors has to offer .
Mayo Adventure Experience with assistance from Mayo Sports Partnership are
developing Sports initiatives for people of all abilities in Mayo and the west of
Ireland.
“Here in Castlebar I have only started to scrap the surface of working with people
with disabilities. We have worked with people with both physical and learning
disabilities. The sports we used were indoor kayaking, canoeing and SUP on the
lake and orienteering around the lake”. Jarlath McHale (owner).
The tranquil waters at lough Lannagh are breathtaking on a calm Spring day which I
experienced first hand on a sup board thanks to Jarlath and his team.
Jarlath explains how the benefits to such a programme are vast; not just from being
active but to being active in nature, which has huge benefits for wellbeing. "Mostly
though it is getting participants active outdoors or in a sport that might once have
been alien or non-accessible to them for a variety of reasons. I think there is a huge
psychological benefit too in being active in the outdoors or through adventure sports
because of the potential of connecting one to nature and of exploring places in new
ways."
Adventure sports such as canoeing, and orienteering can integrate participants at
all levels of ability. The benefits of inclusive adventure would appear to include
feeling more confidence, getting exercise, and of course the social aspect of meeting
new people. The students who instruct also benefit hugely in terms of broadening
their range of instructional experience.
“General feedback from any of our activities is always good.The most positive or
feedback was when a lady said of the kayaking in the pool that “its just a relief to get
out of the chair for the half-hour, feeling of freedom. I found this to be a powerful
statement in that it really made me look at the projects and more of the psychological
benefits as well as the physical. “Jarlath
From talking to fellow peers, one of the main reason people with disabilities don’t
participate in outdoor pursuits is not their disability, it’s the lack of access.The greater
visibility of inclusive adventure can inspire younger participants and ensure facilities
are challenged to ensure all facilities are accessible. Sport and physical activity are
central to the fabric of life in Ireland. Everyone, no matter what their background or
circumstances, should have the opportunity to engage in sport and physical activity