Short answer

Design for national parks must proactively address the physical and informational needs of users with mobility disabilities, ensuring that the natural environment is accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Field: Human Factors
Source: Frontiers in Psychology (2023)
Method: Online Survey and Log-linear Modelling
Evidence: Strong effect

Physical and informational barriers significantly limit the enjoyment of national parks for individuals with mobility disabilities, despite their strong desire to engage with nature. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Frontiers in Psychology. Using Online survey and log-linear modelling, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Design for national parks must proactively address the physical and informational needs of users with mobility disabilities, ensuring that the natural environment is accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Study

Human FactorsRecentStrong effect

National Park Accessibility: Identifying and Overcoming Barriers for People with Mobility Disabilities

Physical and informational barriers significantly limit the enjoyment of national parks for individuals with mobility disabilities, despite their strong desire to engage with nature.

Frontiers in Psychology · 2023

Key Findings

01People with mobility disabilities express a strong desire to visit national parks more frequently than they currently do.
02Preferred park environments include forests and mountain landscapes.
03Information and communication technologies are crucial tools for planning park visits.
04Key barriers include challenging slopes, inadequate pavement, and insufficient signage.
05Desired amenities include accessible recreation areas and clear signposting.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing or renovating outdoor recreational facilities, conduct user research with individuals representing diverse abilities to identify and mitigate potential barriers. Prioritize features like graded pathways, tactile paving, clear visual and auditory information, and accessible amenities.

Project actions

01When researching user needs, actively seek out and include participants with diverse physical abilities.
02Consider the entire user journey, from planning a visit to navigating within the park, when identifying potential barriers.

Method & Evidence

AimTo identify the barriers that prevent people with mobility disabilities from fully enjoying national parks and to understand their preferences for amenities and accessibility features.

MethodOnline Survey and Log-linear Modelling

ProcedureAn online survey was administered to individuals with mobility disabilities to gather data on their desired amenities and perceived accessibility barriers within national parks. The collected data was then analyzed using log-linear models to identify associations between variables related to park enjoyment and specific obstacles.

ContextNational Parks and Nature-Based Recreation

Variables

IV["Presence of physical barriers (e.g., slopes, pavement quality)","Availability of amenities (e.g., recreation areas, signposting)","Use of information and communication technologies for planning"]

DV["Frequency of park visits","Enjoyment of nature-based recreation","Perceived well-being from outdoor activity"]

CV["Type of disability (mobility/motor)","Geographic location of parks (Canada, Spain)","Participant demographics (implied)"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Addresses an under-researched area of accessibility in nature-based tourism.
+Utilizes statistical modelling to identify significant relationships between barriers and enjoyment.

Limitations

Online surveys may not capture the full nuance of in-person experiences. The findings are specific to the parks studied and may not apply universally.

Reliability & validity

Reliability could be enhanced by using standardized measurement tools for barriers and enjoyment. Validity is supported by the use of statistical modelling to identify associations, but could be strengthened by direct observation of user behaviour.

Think critically

To what extent do current national park designs reflect an understanding of the diverse needs of visitors with mobility disabilities, and what are the ethical implications of failing to address these accessibility gaps?

Design Principles

"Universal Design: Create environments that are usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design."

Designing inclusive outdoor recreational spaces requires a deep understanding of the specific challenges faced by diverse user groups. Addressing these barriers not only promotes equitable access but also enhances the overall well-being and satisfaction of all visitors.

What This Means for Your Design

People with disabilities want to go to national parks more but can't because the paths are too steep, the ground is rough, or there aren't enough signs. If parks made these things better, more people with disabilities could enjoy nature.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of user research for identifying accessibility needs and informing design decisions for public spaces or recreational facilities.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that individuals with mobility disabilities face significant barriers in accessing and enjoying natural environments, such as national parks. These impediments, including challenging terrain and inadequate infrastructure, limit their frequency of visits and overall experience. Addressing these issues through thoughtful design, such as implementing accessible pathways and clear signage, is essential for promoting equitable access to nature-based recreation and enhancing user well-being.

Source

Frontiers in Psychology

Assessment of barriers for people with disability to enjoy national parks

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about national park accessibility: identifying and overcoming barriers for people with mobility disabilities?: Design for national parks must proactively address the physical and informational needs of users with mobility disabilities, ensuring that the natural environment is accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Evidence: Frontiers in Psychology (2023).
Why does "National Park Accessibility: Identifying and Overcoming Barriers for People with Mobility Disabilities" matter for design?: Designing inclusive outdoor recreational spaces requires a deep understanding of the specific challenges faced by diverse user groups. Addressing these barriers not only promotes equitable access but also enhances the overall well-being and satisfaction of all visitors.
How can designers apply this research?: Design for national parks must proactively address the physical and informational needs of users with mobility disabilities, ensuring that the natural environment is accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
What were the main findings?: People with mobility disabilities express a strong desire to visit national parks more frequently than they currently do.. Preferred park environments include forests and mountain landscapes.. Information and communication technologies are crucial tools for planning park visits.. Key barriers include challenging slopes, inadequate pavement, and insufficient signage.
What research method was used?: Online Survey and Log-linear Modelling.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Frontiers in Psychology.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing or renovating outdoor recreational facilities, conduct user research with individuals representing diverse abilities to identify and mitigate potential barriers. Prioritize features like graded pathways, tactile paving, clear visual and auditory information, and accessible amenities.
What are the limitations?: The study relies on self-reported data from an online survey, which may be subject to response bias. The specific context of national parks in Canada and Spain might not be fully generalizable to all park systems globally.