Barriers and facilitators to leisure participation among racially minoritized youth with disabilities

PURPOSE: Although racially minoritized youth with disabilities participate less often in leisure activities than their white peers, their perspectives of participating in activities is under-explored. This study examined how racially minoritized youth with disabilities experience leisure and identified barriers and facilitators that influence their participation. METHODS: We used a qualitative design informed by a constructionist epistemology and conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 racially minoritized youth with disabilities (aged 15-24 years, mean age 19.9 years) living in Ontario. Data were analyzed using inductive reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Our analysis highlighted three themes: (1) cultural and familial influences (i.e., understandings and definitions of leisure, expectations and support, and discrimination); (2) interpersonal factors in leisure participation (i.e., leisure provider behavior and interactions); and (3) youth recommendations for reducing barriers to leisure participation (i.e., program design, provider training). Youth described these factors as both barriers and facilitators to participation. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple cultural, familial, and interpersonal factors influence leisure participation among racially minoritized youth with disabilities. These findings offer guidance for recreation providers designing inclusive programs and services.