Fourth International Conference on Tourism and Leisure Studies

Abstract

Little is known about perceptions and experiences of people with physical disabilities in South Africa, particularly factors that challenge or facilitate access to active leisure occupation. The study uses qualitative methodology to investigate the perceptions and experience of people with physical disabilities in their attempts to access active leisure. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews are used for data collection. Male and female subjects were recruited who were over the age of eighteen and had a physical disability for at least one year and were employed. A heterogeneous sample from different backgrounds and with different physical disabilities participated in the focus groups and semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal four themes, including the meaning of leisure, active leisure experiences, leisure is not a priority, and emotional consequences of participating in tourist leisure. Findings will be discussed in relation to each of these themes.