Physical Activity & People with Disabilities - A Qualitative Process and Outcome Pilot Evaluation of the Non-Profit Organization AccesSurf Hawai'i.

Abstract

Physical Activity (PA) is essential for the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCD). The risk of developing NCDs is three times as high among people with disabilities than people without disabilities. In 2016, an estimated 158,570 people in Hawai'i had disabilities. So far, only limited studies have considered increasing PA opportunities for people with disabilities. AccesSurf is a non-profit organization empowering people with disabilities to perform adaptive swimming and surfing. The purpose of this study was to conduct qualitative process and pilot outcome evaluation of AccesSurf. A focus group was conducted to explore the perspectives of six AccesSurf participants on AccesSurf's process, participants' outcomes, and suggestions. Participants were individuals with neurological health conditions, aged between 30 to 64 years. The analysis followed a deductive-inductive approach. Focus group participants reported on process variables, such as the positive environment and the provision of a range of PA opportunities (eg, adaptive swimming & surfing, stand up/outrigger/va'a paddling, kayaking, and surf skiing). They recognized AccesSurf's positive contribution to their physical, mental, and social health. Participants not only felt empowered through AccesSurf, but also increased their PA frequency and built athletic identities. A comfortable environment and provision of a variety of opportunities for participants were identified as advantageous AccesSurf outputs, fostering progressive short- and long-term outcomes that result in life-changing effects. This research shows that AccesSurf may play an important role towards increasing PA among participants.