The authenticity of visual methods with disabled children and young people who seek to participate in recreational activities

Pickering, Dawn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4779-5616, Gill, Paul ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4056-3230, Reagon, Carly ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6370-3705 and Davies, Jane ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0058-8871 2019. The authenticity of visual methods with disabled children and young people who seek to participate in recreational activities. Presented at: Postgraduate Research Symposium, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK, 10 April 2019.

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Abstract

Introduction: Disabled children and young people are an under researched group especially when their style of communication is different. Additionally, when they have walking limitations, they are usually excluded from research studies. Whilst their able bodied peers can enjoy wide choices of leisure activities, they have limited opportunities for participation, unless activities have been adapted. Area of scholarly contribution: This study is adding to knowledge about the use of visual data with non-verbal disabled children and young people to represent their ‘voice’. Methods: A multiple case study design compared a group who did participate in recreational activities and group who did not. The participants were children and young people with cerebral palsy, aged nine to sixteen years with limited mobility. All had different styles of adapted communication including non-verbal. Consent was in the form of assent with written parental consent. To authentically represent their ‘voices’ a multiple comparative case study design was developed. Each case study included two interviews, a diary written over twelve weeks, and some non- identifiable photographs from observations. The use of these visual images portrayed meaning about their participation, specifically to interpret the emotional wellbeing effect from their level of participation. Thus the triangulation of these different data sources adds to the rigour of the methods. Findings: Seven participants volunteered, four who did participate in recreational activities and 3 who participated less. A variety of opportunities were available such as adapted skiing, surfing, trampolining, musical and accessible events. The visual data added value for the context of environments where participation could or could not take place. As the researcher, the interpretation of the original images could be used to determine the emotional wellbeing impact. However, these cannot be shared due to the need to protect their identity and maintain their confidentiality and anonymity. Conclusion: Visual data can enhance the data by triangulating with other sources. However, the authenticity of utilising this data source must be used with caution with disabled participants to protect their anonymity and confidentiality.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure
Funders:	Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Charitable Trust
Last Modified:	06 May 2023 01:09
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/121692

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