Equal Access to Natural Areas. How to Provide Accessibility to Natural Areas for Wheelchair Users.
Author
Cristea, Oana-Daniela
Term
4. Term
Education
Publication year
2018
Submitted on
2018-06-01
Pages
77
Abstract
Naturområder bidrager til trivsel og giver både fysiske og psykiske gevinster, men adgangen er i praksis næsten ikke-eksisterende for nogle grupper, især for kørestolsbrugere. Naturen kan være krævende for alle, men selv de områder, der kan tilgås, er ofte særligt restriktive for kørestolsbrugere. Forskning viser, at mange kørestolsbrugere holder af at være i naturen, fordi den giver en følelse af at høre til, modsat det byggede miljø, som kan opleves som begrænsende (Cristea, 2017). Paradoksalt nok kan byer være mere fysisk tilgængelige end naturområder, men i naturen oplever brugere mindre socialt pres, og følelsen af at være "anderledes" mindskes—naturen "passer bare" (interviewet bruger). Kørestolsbrugere kan ofte vurdere forhindringer og problemer i et miljø, selv ud fra billeder, baseret på deres erfaring med den mobilitetsteknologi, de bruger, og praksisser udviklet over tid (Cristea, 2017). Denne indlejrede, erfaringsbaserede viden rummer værdifuld information for planlægning. Tilgængelighed er et centralt emne i handicappolitiske drøftelser (A/RES/61/106, bilag I), men der er endnu begrænset bevægelse mod konkrete løsninger for naturområder. Dette projekt undersøger, hvordan tilgængeligheden til naturområder kan forbedres, og under hvilke betingelser aktørers interesser kan samles om at opnå lige tilgængelighed.
Natural areas support wellbeing and offer physical and psychological benefits, yet access is almost nonexistent for some people, especially wheelchair users. Nature can be demanding for anyone, but the areas that are technically accessible remain particularly restrictive for wheelchair users. Research shows that many wheelchair users value being in nature because it provides a sense of belonging, in contrast to the built environment, which can feel constraining (Cristea, 2017). Paradoxically, cities may be more physically accessible than natural areas, yet in nature users report less social pressure and a reduced sense of being "different"—nature "just fits" (interviewed user). Wheelchair users can often anticipate obstacles and issues in a setting—even from images—based on their experience with mobility technology and practices developed over time (Cristea, 2017). This embedded, experience-based knowledge offers valuable guidance for planning. Although accessibility is a key topic in disability policy debates (A/RES/61/106, Annex I), there has been limited movement toward concrete solutions for natural areas. This project examines how accessibility in natural areas can be improved and the conditions under which stakeholders can align their interests to achieve equal accessibility.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
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