Inclusion in Recreation

The purpose of this research is to bring the issue of a lack of inclusion in recreation facilities for individuals with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ community. There are obvious psychological benefits that come to fruition when inclusion is broadly practiced and promoted. While it is mandatory for facilities to have handicapped-accessible features and amenities, there is little to no legislation and few effective policies to promote inclusion of all community members. The data for this paper came from scholarly, peer-reviewed studies published in notable journals in the field of recreation. The issue of inclusion for people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ is typically a social issue; as a result, the studies done on this topic consist primarily of qualitative data in the form of questionnaires and interviews. Findings from these studies show that most recreational facilities face constant budget cuts, which reduce their willingness to spend on inclusion services; however, many facilities are willing to actively practice inclusion if financial assistance is available. Studies also show that recreational facilities with policies in place for inclusion are often undermined and sabotaged by their own employees ignoring said polices. Limitations of this research include a lack of quantitative data and the relative newness of the issue, considering that individuals with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ community have only recently begun to gain acceptance. In terms of its implications, this research strives to explain the need as well as the right for the LGBTQ community and individuals with disabilities to be included in sport and recreation. With more inclusive policies, recreational facilities will be able to build much stronger communities with the health of everyone in mind