Barriers and facilitators to leisure participation among racially minoritized youth with disabilities

Although racially minoritized youth with disabilities participate less often in leisure activities than their white peers, their perspectives of participating in activities is under-explored. This study examined how racially minoritized youth with disabilities experience leisure and identified barriers and facilitators that influence their participation.

We used a qualitative design informed by a constructionist epistemology and conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 racially minoritized youth with disabilities (aged 15-24 years, mean age 19.9 years) living in Ontario. Data were analyzed using inductive reflexive thematic analysis.

Our analysis highlighted three themes: (1) cultural and familial influences (i.e., understandings and definitions of leisure, expectations and support, and discrimination); (2) interpersonal factors in leisure participation (i.e., leisure provider behavior and interactions); and (3) youth recommendations for reducing barriers to leisure participation (i.e., program design, provider training). Youth described these factors as both barriers and facilitators to participation.

Multiple cultural, familial, and interpersonal factors influence leisure participation among racially minoritized youth with disabilities. These findings offer guidance for recreation providers designing inclusive programs and services.