Examination of the restrictors of recreation area use of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, hearing, mental and physical disabilities (the case of Erzurum province)

Abstract

The aim of this research is to reveal the usability of recreational areas for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, hearing, mental and physical disabilities and to make suggestions for improving the current situation and creating more barrier-free spaces in line with the data obtained. This research was prepared in a quantitative design and scanning model was used. The population of the study consists of Erzurum province, and the sample consists of the parents of randomly selected individuals who have hearing, mental and physical disabilities in Erzurum and also show autism spectrum disorder. Data were collected face-to-face using the data collection tool, the participation barriers and preference factors scale (RAKE and RATE) related to recreational area use developed by GümüĢ and Özgül (2017). RAKE consists of a total of 5 sub-dimensions and 17 items: security barrier, individual barrier, sports field barrier, time barrier and friend barrier. RAKE and RATE is a 5-point rating scale. The RAKE and RATE scales were similarly developed by making use of previous studies in this field in the literature. While developing RAKE, Wilcox et al (2000); Arnold and Shinew (1998); From the studies of Stanis et al. (2009) (4 items); Gürbüz, Öncü, and Emir (2012) in the “Time Barrier” sub-dimension; From the studies of Tütüncü et al. (2011) (2 items), from the study of Gürbüz, Öncü and Emir (2012) in the "Friend Barrier" sub-dimension (3 items); “Individual Barrier” Gürbüz, Öncü and Emir (2012); The studies of Wilcox et al. (2000) (4 items) were used. Apart from these, 4 items were added by the researcher. While developing RATE, it consists of 5 sub-dimensions: sportive diversity, personnel, location, physical facilities and activity. Statistical analysis of the findings was made in the SPSS 26 package program. Frequency and percentage calculations were made for the demographic characteristics of the research group and the necessary statistical analyzes were applied and explained.