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Accessibility of community sports and recreation facilities for people with physical disabilities in Singapore.
Author
Koh, Ruth Siang Cheng
Supervisor
Teo-Koh, Sock Miang
Abstract
People with disabilities are one of the most inactive groups in society, with the majority not obtaining the recommended amount of physical activity needed to enjoy the associated fitness and health benefits and prevent secondary conditions. Research shows that access to fitness and recreation facilities is a major barrier to physical activity for people with disabilities.
The purpose of this study was to assess the level of accessibility of community sports and recreation centres (SRCs) for people with physical disabilities in Singapore. A set of valid, reliable and generalisable instruments called Accessibility Instruments Measuring Fitness and Recreation Environments (AIMFREE) was used as the assessment instrument.
A survey of three Sports and Recreation Centres (SRCs) was carried out by two evaluators with physical disabilities. At each SRC, the swimming pool, gym and indoor sports hall were evaluated for their accessibility using the AIMFREE instruments. Accessibility points were awarded based on the AIMFREE criterion. After each survey was completed, the evaluators completed a post-survey questionnaire. Data was also collected through a focus group discussion with a group of five wheelchair basketball players.
The overall level of accessibility at SRC-1 and SRC-2 was found to be above average. For SRC-1, an accessibility score of more than 50 was achieved in four out of seven survey sections. For SRC-2, a score of more than 50 was achieved in six of the seven survey sections. SRC-3 had a below average level of accessibility, with a score of more than 50 in two out of six survey sections. The accessibility score indicates how accessible a facility is, and a score of more than 50 indicates above-average levels of accessibility, while a score of below 50 indicates below-average levels of accessibility.
Facilities fared poorly with regard to accessibility features in the survey that are harder to implement, such as, automatic doors and pool lifts. Barriers identified in the post-survey questionnaire closely matched the barriers that were identified in the onsite survey of the SRCs, and data resulting from the focus group interview. Areas of concern include the bathroom and shower facilities, the gym and exercise equipment, and the swimming pool. Barriers identified by the focus group participants were similar to the barriers identified in the survey, and matched the more difficult accessibility features in the survey.
This study found that while SRCs are generally accessible to people with physical disabilities, there are existing physical and structural barriers that make some areas in the SRCs inaccessible and affect the participation of people with disabilities in specific sports and recreation activities. Data from this study may be used to improve accessibility standards of community sports facilities in Singapore for people with disabilities.
The purpose of this study was to assess the level of accessibility of community sports and recreation centres (SRCs) for people with physical disabilities in Singapore. A set of valid, reliable and generalisable instruments called Accessibility Instruments Measuring Fitness and Recreation Environments (AIMFREE) was used as the assessment instrument.
A survey of three Sports and Recreation Centres (SRCs) was carried out by two evaluators with physical disabilities. At each SRC, the swimming pool, gym and indoor sports hall were evaluated for their accessibility using the AIMFREE instruments. Accessibility points were awarded based on the AIMFREE criterion. After each survey was completed, the evaluators completed a post-survey questionnaire. Data was also collected through a focus group discussion with a group of five wheelchair basketball players.
The overall level of accessibility at SRC-1 and SRC-2 was found to be above average. For SRC-1, an accessibility score of more than 50 was achieved in four out of seven survey sections. For SRC-2, a score of more than 50 was achieved in six of the seven survey sections. SRC-3 had a below average level of accessibility, with a score of more than 50 in two out of six survey sections. The accessibility score indicates how accessible a facility is, and a score of more than 50 indicates above-average levels of accessibility, while a score of below 50 indicates below-average levels of accessibility.
Facilities fared poorly with regard to accessibility features in the survey that are harder to implement, such as, automatic doors and pool lifts. Barriers identified in the post-survey questionnaire closely matched the barriers that were identified in the onsite survey of the SRCs, and data resulting from the focus group interview. Areas of concern include the bathroom and shower facilities, the gym and exercise equipment, and the swimming pool. Barriers identified by the focus group participants were similar to the barriers identified in the survey, and matched the more difficult accessibility features in the survey.
This study found that while SRCs are generally accessible to people with physical disabilities, there are existing physical and structural barriers that make some areas in the SRCs inaccessible and affect the participation of people with disabilities in specific sports and recreation activities. Data from this study may be used to improve accessibility standards of community sports facilities in Singapore for people with disabilities.
Date Issued
2009
Call Number
GV433.S55 Koh
Date Submitted
2009