What Kind of Information About the Accessibility of Sports Facilities Is Useful?

Abstract

This study investigates how accessibility information for sports facilities can be effectively designed and presented to serve diverse user needs. Through document analysis of 16 German-language publications and 18 expert interviews with stakeholders, including people with disabilities and facility planners, the research examined different approaches to organizing accessibility information. The study revealed three central systems for conceptualizing accessibility: by facility areas, by groups of people, and by spatial characteristics. Findings indicate a "wheelchair bias" in existing documentation, with wheelchair users receiving disproportionate attention compared with other disability groups. While binary accessibility ratings prove insufficient for individual users' needs, detailed spatial characteristic information enables more precise facility assessment. The research suggests that accessibility information systems should be flexible enough to serve different stakeholder needs, from detailed criteria for potential users to aggregated data for decision makers. The study contributes to developing more inclusive and user-friendly accessibility information systems for sports facilities.