How the research will be done

Activities

A review of existing international and national standards and novel research evidence that could inform the development of revised standards.
Map/audit six provincial or regional parks in British Columbia and Québec (three in each province) that provide a wide variety of topographical features (waterfront/shoreline, mountainous; plains).
Prior to completing interviews, participants will be asked to complete a survey. Questions about socio-economic status, mobility device use, wayfinding skills, park and activity preferences, and past experiences in parks. Participants will also review park websites to determine if the information available would help them plan trips to those parks.
Space
Interviews will be conducted with 48 people with a range of disabilities in each of the six parks in the summer. In the winter, 24 of these participants will visit the parks again. During these visits, participants will provide impressions about their experiences and rate accessibility of features and trails from their view while being videotaped.
Leveraging what is learned above, a Delphi process will be used to inform the development of standards. The Delphi process is a series of iterative surveys with experts in the field, particularly those with disabilities, where they are asked to reflect on existing standards and develop and refine potential new ones.