Weather, disability, vulnerability, and resilience: exploring how youth with physical disabilities experience winter

Having a mobility-related disability can create numerous challenges in navigating the physical and built environment, especially during winter. Such weather-related challenges can be a significant barrier to participation in everyday activities and are linked with increased physical and psychological morbidities. Unfortunately, mobility research--especially among youth - has often overlooked the effects of winter weather.

This study explores the experiences of daily activities during Canadian winter among a purposive sample of youth, aged 15-22, who have a physical disability requiring the use of a mobility device. The researchers applied a qualitative design, including 12 in-depth interviews.

Our findings show that youth encounter several vulnerabilities to participating in social and recreational activities in winter, including: (1) physical barriers and social spatial exclusion; (2) health and safety concerns; and (3) psychosocial issues (i.e., worry, isolation and dependence). Youth also discussed several strategies for adapting to barriers and enhancing their participation during winter, including: (1) wheelchair maintenance; (2) awareness of surroundings; (3) practice using mobility devices and planning; and (4) keeping busy and active.

Youth who use a mobility device are vulnerable to health and safety risks and isolation during the winter, but they also display signs of resilience.