1

Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

In any part of the world, there has been a stigma associated with anyone using

wheelchair or being accompanied by a cane. These people, who are much known in the

society as people with disability, are frequently categorized as futile and incapable.

Because of this judgmental approach of other people, people with disability tend to

develop a negative outlook and lose their sense of worth. In response to this unfortunate

circumstances experienced by the people with disability, participation in sport has already

been proven to be one of the key ways in which they can demonstrate their place in the

world. Being able to take part in sports can change what the society think and feel about

them and also change what they think and feel about themselves. (Karen Losch, 2008)

In many countries, Including South Africa, beliefs and attitudes towards people

living with disability have changed over the past ten to fifteen years. Disability Sport

South Africa (DISSA), an organization formed to give people with disabilities self-pride

through sports and accomplishments. It is one of their goals to give the South African

athletes a chance to earn incomes good enough to provide for their daily needs, and also

to foster a sense of security and confidence among the South Africans with disabilities

and their families. (Sports and Recreation South Africa, 2003)

About 16 per thousand of the Philippiness population had disability. (National

Statistics Office [NSO], 2013) Although the population of people with disability is not

that large, negligence is still inappropriate. These people must receive the right amount of

attention that they deserve. It must be ensured that differently-abled people have the
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opportunity to have access to various facilities such as sporting, recreational and tourism

venues. The notion that access of differently-abled people is just limited to few types of

venues due to their impairments must be changed because nowadays these people can do

almost all the activities that normal people can. There are numerous sports centers in the

country but there are very few that are accessible to differently-abled people and none

was really created for the purpose of accommodating adaptive sports. In order to make

adaptive sports be further recognized by people around the country, there must be a

particular facility that will focus on this kind of sports.

Sport can play a key role in the lives and communities of a person with disability.

Similarly, a lot has so far been achieved on enhancing the full potential of PWDs through

sports in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world, both historically and in

contemporary days. One of its benefits includes socialization which through sport could

be really valuable for persons with disability as they often remain in the home

environment, protected and guarded by their families. Once they participate in sport, it

helps them create peer interaction, co-operative relationship and teamwork. It has

variously been shown in number of studies that, persons with disabilities who participate

in sports improve in strength, coordination, and flexibility. It has always been conceded

that individuals with disabilities, who participate in sports activities are less depressed,

perform better academically, are more stable in behavior as well as in their overall social

interactions.

This must be an inspiration for our country that relevant authorities could provide

PWDs the opportunity to participate fully into the mainstream of society through physical

activities and sports. PWDs dominating potential in sports was proved by one of them
 3

here in Tarlac province, dreaming to be able to play basketball like a professional athlete.

Maximo Bonilla dreamed of counting himself among the PWD athletes who would

represent the country in international PWD athletic events. But he acknowledges that it is

already too late for him to be a Paralympian and that he is contented being a star in his

own right in Tarlac City. Up until now, there is no facility being provided for them to

recreate or engage in community events. They receive minimal support from the

government and minimal recognition from the people.

According to those facts, there is a need to develop outdoor recreation for PWDs

in our country and city for a better community. We can develop or enhance it more

through sports knowing that they have the potential and that all people are equal with or

without disabilities.

Statement of the Problem

Sport has been part of the Philippine culture for so many years up until the present

day. Through adaptive sports, Filipino PWDs discovered this way to regain hope and

self-confidence. Although Philippine disabled sport groups are smaller and not yet well

reputed by the Filipino people and so as the government, they have been bringing in more

medals in our country. This is not because sports for the disabled are made easier but

because of their will and ability to excel.

Outdoor spaces like recreational centers are still left out in being promoted for

studies that concerned for PWDs. In the case of access for PWDs, recreational center is

important place for them to play sports specifically adaptive sports or parasports which

played by persons with all the forms of physical disabilities as they may recognize and at

the same time enhance their own potential and advocate for changes in society.
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This study intends to initiate the idea of PWDs to be treated and trained in centers

dedicated and designed for their needs. Similarly it will develop social interaction skills,

develop independence, and become empowered to lead and make change happen through

sport.

Significance of the Study

This study will be a significant endeavor in promoting awareness among the

public and among the professionals such as architects and others towards a better living

environment for disabled community. The intent is to provide the people with disabilities

with a place where they can foster greater inclusion and well-being through sport. This

greater awareness can lead to potential changes in the future that will help reduce the

isolation of person with disabilities and integrate them more fully into community life.

Through this study, it is also hoped that the PWDs will get more comfortable and

guaranteed life with their own capabilities.

Scope and Limitations

The proposed research A Proposed PWD Capas Recreational Center will

continue to educate and assist sporting organizations and clubs to make the changes

needed to encourage people with disability to experience the same thrills and excitement

of other members.

To ensure organizations can meet the needs of people with disability, their

families and careers, it provides funding and consultancy services to support the

modification of programs so that everyone can participate. Participation in community

sport or recreation provides an opportunity to develop physical skills and social

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connectedness. This can be a life-changing experience especially for those with limited

social networks.

This proposal research will be one of the dream centers for the Disabled Persons

to name a few; the area will comprise the following: administration building, multi-

purpose room, activity area, area for wheelchair basketball and football, other area

amenities that will surely foresee the needs off the disabled persons.

Definition of Terms

Access. Refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people

who experience disabilities.

Adaptive Sports. Are competitive sports for individuals with disabilities. While adapted

the sports often parallel existing sports played by able-bodied athletes, there may be some

modifications in the equipment and rules to meet the needs of the participants.

Advocate. Has been in use for hundreds of years and derives from the Latin, meaning "to

be called to stand beside". This definition at least gets hold of the concepts and conveys

what good advocacy should be, for example, advocate & individual are on equal levels.

Disability. Is the consequence of an impairment that may be physical, cognitive, mental,

sensory, emotional, developmental, or some combination of these that result in

restrictions on an individual's ability to participate in what is considered "normal" in their

everyday society.

Enhance. To increase in value, power or beauty.

Paralympian. Term as a derivative of Paralympic is, of course, modeled on the word

Olympian as a derivative of Olympic, used to refer to a competitor in a competition for

physically disabled athletes.

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Parasports. Are sports played by persons with a disability, including physical and

intellectual disabilities. As many disabled sports are based on existing able bodied sports,

modified to meet the needs of a person with a disability, they are sometimes referred to as

adopted sports. There are different ways that you can get involved in Parasport; as a

participant, as a coach, as a parasport volunteer or as a community champion, connecting

people you know to it. There are also ways for able-bodied athletes to provide support for

participants with visual impairments, as guides, pilots and coxswains. You dont have to

pick just one role either: many people end up involved in a variety of ways depending on

what they enjoy.

Potential. Existing in possibility, not presently active or developed but able to be. It is

the latent qualities or abilities that may be developed and lead to future success or

usefulness.

Recreational. Relating to activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The need

to do something for recreation is an essential element of human biology and psychology.

Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are

considered to be fun.

Sport. Is an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team

compete against another or others for entertainment. Other meanings include gambling

and events staged for the purpose of gambling; hunting; and games and diversions,

including ones that require exercise. Sport is generally recognized as activities which are

based in physical athleticism or physical dexterity, with the largest major competitions

such as the Olympic Games admitting only sports meeting this definition.
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Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter shall contain summary of references from different sources such as

electronic, books, journals, and articles that provides facts and information regarding the

proposed thesis project.

Adaptive sports are the kind of sports that are modified or created to meet the

unique needs of individuals with disabilities. Adapted sport indicates that the athlete with

a disability compete in a regular sport with the aid of some assistive device, rule

modification. It can also imply participating in specially designed sport for a particular

disability. Some of the assistive devices used for adaptive sports are guide rail for

bowling, and hydraulic of hand-cranked lifts for lowering and raising differently-abled

people in and out of the water. Rule modifications include smaller field and fewer

participants compared to normal sports. There are also specially designed sport for a

particular disability such as quad rugby, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis.

(Luo, P., 2000)

Adaptive and accessible sports and recreation programs are recreational activities

that allow people with disabilities to participate in mainstream activities, to gain self-

confidence, and to develop physical abilities and social skills. It is a cross disciplinary

body of knowledge directed towards identification and solution of psychomotor problems

throughout the lifespan. The adapted physical activity body of knowledge when applied

encompasses attitudes supportive of individual differences and adaptation and a service

delivery system designed to ameliorate problems. The adapted physical activity attitude
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embraces individual differences and enjoys the challenge of helping persons achieve self-

actualization through exercise and sport. (Sherrill, C., 1993)

There are various words that are always incorporated to the concept of disability.

Words like Impairment and Handicap are usually used interchangeably with disability. In

order to understand fully the concept of disability, defining impairment and handicap

would be essential. According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban habitat,

Impairment refers to the loss of abnormality of the structure or function of the body.

Handicap refers to the impact of impairment and/ or disability on the individual and on

the wider community involved. When such impact implies problems in relationships,

limitations on life opportunities, with consequent disruption of social integration into

ordinary community life, then an impaired or disabled person is a handicapped one.

Disability refers to the limitations or lack of ability in performing activities that are

considered normal for a particular individual. It is normally a consequence of

impairment. (Council on Tall Buildings and Urban habitat, 1992)

The term disability summarizes a great number of different functional limitations.

People may be disabled by physical, intellectual or sensory impairment. Different

expressions are used when referring to persons with disabilities. The term 'handicap'

means the loss or limitation of opportunities to take part in the life of the community on

an equal level with others. The term "disabled persons" might be misinterpreted to imply

that the ability of the individual to function as a person has been disabled. The term

"differently-abled persons" indicates that disability is not perceived as a deviation from

the norm. (Human Rights Education Associates [HREA], 2003)

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The World Health Organization states that disability resulting from impairment is

a restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity in the manner or within the range

considered normal for a human being.Disabilities can be permanent, temporary, or

episodic. They can affect people from birth, or be acquired later in life through injury or

illness. (World Health Organization, 2001)

Rimmer, Riley, Wang, Rauworth, and Jurkowski (2004) conducted a study using

focus groups in ten regions across the United States to examine various environmental

and personal barriers among persons with disabilities in relation to physical activity. Four

to six persons were in each of the four focus groups. The four focus groups were: 1)

people with disabilities, 2) architects, 3) recreation professionals, and 4) city planners and

park district managers. The groups discussed four different accessibility venues: 1)

fitness centers, 2) swimming pools, 3) parks, and 4) trails. The studys findings revealed

that there were many barriers including: 1) barriers and facilitators related to the built and

natural environment, 2) economic issues, 3) emotional and psychological barriers, 4)

equipment barriers, 5) barriers related to the use and interpretation of guidelines, codes,

regulations, and laws, 6) information-related barriers, 7) professional knowledge,

education, and training issues, 8) perceptions and attitudes of persons who are not

disabled, including professionals, 9) policies and procedures both at the facility and

community level, and 10) availability of resources. The researchers concluded that there

is a need for developing a tool that measures personal 7 and environmental factors that

affect access and use recreation facilities (Rimmer et al., 2004).

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,

persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual
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or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full

and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. The condition of the

persons with disabilities is very broad and varying thus classifying them according to the

medical or functional basis can help in identifying their specific needs and responding to

these needs. Thus the World Health Organization International Classification of

Functioning, Disability and Health formulated these categories of disability:

Impaired muscle power in this category has in common that there is reduced force

generated by the contraction of a muscle or muscle groups (e.g. muscles of one limb, one

side of the body, the lower half of the body). Examples of conditions included in this

category are para and quadriplegia, muscular dystrophy, post poliomyelitis, spina bifida.

(UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2006)

Impaired passive range of movement in one or more joint is reduced in

systematical way. Note that hyper mobility of joints, joint instability (e.g. shoulder

dislocation), and acute conditions of reduced range of movement (e.g. arthritis types of

impairment) typically will be excluded as eligible impairment. (Layman, 2007)

Limb deficiency is a total or partial absence of the bones or joints as a

consequence of trauma (e.g. traumatic amputation), illness (e.g. bone cancer) or

congenital limb deficiency (e.g. dysmelia). The prevalence rate of all types of limb

reduction defects in general and those that potentially are caused by vascular disruption

in particular are needed to provide a baseline for the evaluation of infants who are

exposed in utero to teratogens that cause vascular disruption. (Layman, 2007)

Hypertonia is a condition marked by an abnormal increase in muscle tension and

a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch. Hypertonia may result from injury, disease, or
 11

conditions that involve damage to the central nervous system. When the injury occurs in

children under the age of 2, the term cerebral palsy is often used, but it also can be due to

brain injury (e.g. stroke, trauma) or multiple sclerosis. (Layman, 2007)

Ataxia is a neurological sign and symptom that consists of a lack of co-ordination

of muscle movements. When the injury occurs in children under the age of 2, the term

cerebral palsy is often used, but it also can be due to brain injury (e.g. stroke, trauma) or

multiple sclerosis. Ataxia describes a lack of muscle control during voluntary

movements, such as walking or picking up objects. (Layman, 2007)

Athetosis can vary from mild to severe motor dysfunction. It is generally

characterized by unbalanced, involuntary movements of muscle tone and a difficulty

maintaining a symmetrical posture. When the injury occurs in children under the age of 2,

the term cerebral palsy is often used, but it also can be due to brain injury. It is condition

in which abnormal muscle contractions cause involuntary writhing movements. It affects

some people with cerebral palsy, impairing speech and use of the hands. (Layman, 2007)

Vision impairment is impacted by either an impairment of the eye structure,

optical nerves or optical pathways, or visual cortex of the central brain. Classification of

visual impairment is Partial sight Blind, Legal blindness, Travel vision, Motion

perception, Light perception, and Total blindness. It is a term experts use to describe any

kind of vision loss. Some people are completely blind, but many others have what's

called legal blindness. (Layman, 2007)

The Paralympics Movement identifies intellectual impairment as a disability

characterized by significant limitation both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive

behavior as expressed in conceptual, social and practical adaptive skills. This disability
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originates before the age of 18 [American Association on Intellectual and Development

Disability, 2010]. The diagnostics of intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior must

be made using internationally recognized and professionally administered measures as

recognized by INAS (International Federation for sport for para-athletes with an

intellectual disability).

There are effects of adaptive sports for the persons with disability such as

therapeutic effect which is for the disabled, sports represent the most natural form of

remedial exercise and can be successfully employed to complement the conventional

methods of physical therapy. It is invaluable in restoring the disabled persons physical

fitness but the physically handicapped person learns to overcome fatigue, a predominant

symptom in the early stages of physical rehabilitation. (Guttmann, L., 1976)

The second one is psychological effect which sports for the disabled have a

deeper meaning that being merely a form of physiotherapy. The great advantage of sport

over formal remedial exercise lies in its recreational value, which represents an additional

motivation for the disabled by restoring that passion for playful activity and the desire to

experience joy and pleasure in life. Recreation becomes an important factor in promoting

that psychological equilibrium which enables the disabled to come to terms with his

physical defect. The aims of the sport are to develop in the disabled activity of mind, self-

confidence, self-dignity, self-discipline, competitiveness and comradeship, mental

attributes which are essential for getting the disabled person out of the ghetto of self-

centered isolation. (Guttmann, L., 1976).

And the last one is the social effect which is the noblest aim of the sport for the

disabled person is to help to restore his contact with the world around him and to
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facilitate or accelerate his social integration. There are certain sports and games where the

disabled are capable of competing with the able-bodied which create a better

understanding between the disabled and the able-bodied and help the disabled in their

social integration through the medium of sport. (Guttmann, L., 1976). Sports can develop

positive emotional interaction and learning skills.

According to Dobkin and Peterson, 1999 in response to changing lifestyle and a

growing appreciation for diversity in people, we are moving towards environments that

support and adapt to variety of people. Before, people are talking about designing for

wheelchair users and disabled people, thus, creating the concept of disabled

friendly and barrier-free environment. Nowadays, people are combining all design

criteria of all kinds of people into one universal design that suit with everybody. (Nur

Hanani, 2003)

Persons with Disabilities Act (2008) defined Universal Design as the design of

products, environments, programmes and services to be usable by all people, to the

greatest extent possible without the need for adaptation or specialized design and shall

include assistive devices for particular groups of persons with disabilities where this is

needed. Universal design (also called Inclusive Design, Accessible Design or just

Accessibility) refers to facility designs that accommodate the widest range of potential

users, including people with mobility and visual impairment (disabilities) and other

special needs. It should be comprehensive, meaning that it result in seamless mobility

options from origin to destination for the greatest possible range of potential users. It

should consider all possible obstacles that may exist in buildings, transportation terminal,

sidewalks, path, roads, and vehicles. Furthermore, universal design takes into account the
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multigenerational needs such as children, elderly people, pregnant ladies and needs of

those who have sensory or mobility impairments and wheelchairs user to move freely

from one place to another place. Universal design is intended to be inclusive and not

exclusive. (Victoria Transport Policy, 2010)

People with severe disabilities are mostly cared for at home by family members or

by a domestic helper employed by the family. Other options include staying in

institutions for disabled people or private nursing homes for the elderly. Many of the

institutions double up as recreational center to provide skills to residents for them to have

a better living. Emphasis is placed on independence. Many of them mistakenly view

wheelchairs as career inhibiting factors, thinking that they are not capable of doing a job

well or of handling new responsibilities. As a result, disabled workers are excluded from

the workforce, leaving behind an untapped human resource. Taking from this cue, the

Ministry of National Unity and Social Development has embarked on an initiative

to include training as an important area of concern in the self-development and welfare of

the disabled community (Ching, 2002).

Recreational center is a place where people live temporarily and learn or develop

their skills. Recreational center provides care and rehabilitation, looking after the health

and safety of the residents, provides education, guidance and vocational training, have the

provision of facilities for physical, social and mental needs, organize production activities

related to the local community as of reintroduction into society. (Macmillan dictionary,

2006)

Different case studies were conducted to know some of the recreational center for

person with disabilities. The first one is the Stoke Mandeville Stadium has become
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known as the home of wheelchair sport and the birthplace of the Paralympics. Stoke

Mandeville Stadium is owned by WheelPower, the national organization for wheelchair

sport. The redevelopment of Stoke Mandeville Stadium has transformed the original

sports centre into a state-of-the art leisure complex to enable WheelPower British

Wheelchair Sport to provide a venue of the highest quality for all users. WheelPower

now provides accessible facilities at the Stoke Mandeville Stadium including an Athletics

Arena, Sports Hall, Indoor Bowls Centre, Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre. On site

accommodation is available in the Olympic Lodge and the Olympic Village and is

complemented by meeting and conference facilities and catering for events of all size.

(Sean Tweedy and P. David Howe, 2010)

In view of all the difficulties just described a new approach was made some years

ago in England by the building of an indoor sports stadium specifically for the paralyzed

and other physically or mentally disabled persons. It was built at the authors instigation,

by the former Paraplegic Sports Endowment Fund, now the British Paraplegic Sports

Society, in 1968/9 at the sports ground of Stroke Mandeville Hospital under a 99-year

lease granted by the Ministry of Health to the British Paraplegic Sports Society. It owes

its existence to Sir Ludwig Guttmann, a neurologist at Stoke Mandeville Hospital who

believed passionately that access to sport played a vital role in the rehabilitation of those

suffering injury or disease to the spine. (Guttmann, L., 1976)

This Stadium has been designed to be completely and easily accessible to all

types if disabled persons. It consists of a large sports hall, 120x100 ft. (36.55 x 30.69m),

for games such as archery, basketball, volleyball and badminton, etc. There are smaller

halls for fencing, table tennis, snooker and weightlifting, a two-lane ten-pin bowling
 16

alley, a 25-meter swimming pool with six lanes and continuous running water and a large

electric lift for at least 4 wheel chairs. Spectators galleries are also included. There is a

dining hall with self- service kitchen arrangement to accommodate 250 wheelchair users

at a time, and above this hall residential accommodation for about 80 escorts in addition

to Hayward house and the 6 accommodation hut built outside the stadium. There is a

smaller dining room which can be used for committee meetings and on the first floor a

coffee bar. The roomy entrance hall is connected with the administration block through

the desk and the building has its own plant for the pool heating. The changing room and

toilet facilities are suitable for all types of disabled persons including wheelchair users.

(Guttmann, L., 1976)

An 80,000-capacity Olympic Stadium, billed as the most sustainable major sports

arena ever built, which will host all Paralympic Athletics. During the Games, there will

be 25,000 permanent seats in the lower tier, and a temporary lightweight steel and

concrete upper tier will boast a further 55,000 seats. Spectators reach the "island" site

from five bridges that cross the stadium's surrounding waterways, which at night time

will reflect the 14 triangular stanchions of floodlights that shine down upon the interior.

The green features include low-carbon concrete made from industrial waste and the top

ring was built using surplus gas pipes. (Wallace, S., 2014)

The iconic wave-shaped Aquatics Centre hosts the Paralympic Swimming.

Designed by Iraq-born architect Zaha Hadid, the Centre's most striking feature is its state-

of-the-art sweeping 160m long roof, which is made from steel and glass on the outside

and 37,000 individual strips of treated hardwood within.

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Underneath this staggering edifice are a 50m competition pool, 25m competition

diving pool and a 50m warm-up pool. Complications with the elaborate roof design and

the complex heating system meant that the initial 73m budget for the Aquatics Centre.

The Centre has a 2,500-seat permanent faculty, but will be able to house 17,500

spectators during the Games. (Wallace, S., 2014)

The 12,000-capacity Basketball Arena is the third-largest venue in the Olympic

Park and will host events every day of both Games. It is a temporary structure made from

1,000-tonne steel frame. The frame is covered with stretched white material which can be

used for light projections in the evenings. (Wallace, S., 2014)

The 7,000-capacity Handball Arena is one of the Games' greenest initiatives and

will host the Paralympic Goalball event. Inside, multi-colored retractable seating giving

the place a vibrant feel, while in the centre of the building, a state-of-the-art sprung wood

floor covers the competition area. The green features include four outer walls of the

square building covered in largely recycled copper cladding which will change colour as

it ages, 88 natural light pipes in the room will illuminate the interior, lessening the need

for artificial light and rainwater pipes will also recycle water. (Wallace, S., 2014)

The slick 6,000-capacity Velodrome, shaped rather like a giant Pringle crisp, is a

stunning architectural feat. It is the most sustainable venue in the whole Olympic Park. A

concrete lower tier will have 3,500 seats located around the track; while a further 2,500

seats will be suspended in two upper tiers within the two curves of the venue's roof. A

ground-level glass wall between both levels will afford 360-degree views of East London

across the Olympic Park - and allow people outside the venue to glimpse what's going on

inside. The green features include 100% naturally ventilated system to create the perfect
 18

track-level temperature and eliminate the need for air conditioning, track is made of

sustainable Siberian pine wood, external cladding is made from lightweight materials to

keep transport and manufacture emissions low, venue uses as much natural light as

possible, reducing the need for electric light, and roof catches rainwater for recycling.

(Wallace, S., 2014)

The Philippines already formed a national sports association for athletes with

impairments which is called the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled-

National Paralympic Committee of the Philippines (PhilSPADA-NPC Philippines). This

means that the idea of sports for differently-abled people is not a new concept for the

country yet the country still lacks sports venue with facilities adapted to the users needs.

A major challenge facing the disability population is the inadequacy of available services

and facilities. There are numerous sports centers in the country but there are very few that

are accessible to differently-abled people and none was really created for the purpose of

accommodating adaptive sports. In order to make adaptive sports be further recognized

by people around the country, there must be a particular facility that will focus on this

kind of sports. The sports that are usually included in the competition are Athletics,

swimming, wheelchair basketball, badminton, chess, goal ball, tenpin bowling, table

tennis, power lifting, volleyball, cycling and wheelchair tennis. (Philippine Sports

Commission [PSC], 2013) These sports are actually just ordinary sports but because the

players of these would be differently-abled people, the facilities to house these activities

must be suitable with the users needs with adequate concern to safety and accessibility.

(Phispada National Games, 2013)

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Recreational centers for PWD are important part of any community because it

helps them to fully participate into the society especially through sport. This literature

provides insight into how a recreational center for person with disabilities can be

designed. Also gives contextual ideas and factual data that can provide depth and

substance to the research and design output. Through these useful researches, we could

get certain elements that should be taken into considerations. These elements are the

relationship between learner and social and environment. Each interaction and its various

aspects need to be examined closely by using a responsive design approach. Discovering

the opinions of the PWDs or the participants of the research, responsive design approach

is the most effective way.

Paradigm of the Study

Issues: lack of Research the problems Articles

recreational center to
initiate independency Physical barriers Observation
of PWDs, related with Lack of facilities
limited social Public perception
interaction because of
the physical
environment

Review of Survey
Observation
related literature
Via internet
Architecture features
Internet Public
Human behavior
Books
Disabled people
Journal Peoples Movement
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Chapter 3

METHODS OF STUDY AND SOURCE OF DATA

This chapter presents the method used in the research of this problem by

collecting all data and information based on the recent and existing situation of the

problem concerned considering that the sources of the information were reliable in

finding the solution of the problem.

Data Collection

The data collection approach for this study is a responsive design approach that

was conducted to collect and gather both qualitative and quantitative data through various

methods. Survey research is an excellent method of collecting this type of data because

surveys are good tools for measuring attitudes, orientations, and opinions. The research

was completed in a way to fully utilize the ideas and input from PWDs. We primarily

used a survey as a tool, which consisted of some questions. We told the participants about

the purpose of the research and reassured them at the beginning that their answers would

be kept in a confidential manner. This survey was given on a voluntary basis and the

method of administrating it was self-completion. The profiles of person with disabled

participating in the research were mostly wheelchair bound, physically handicapped and

vision impaired. The respondents were asked a battery of 15 items representing the

possible benefit of having a recreation center to play sports in their community. The

complete survey battery of 15 items can be seen in Figure 1. We administered 25 surveys

through various methods, such as hand delivery and email. The highest response rate

came through hand delivery and was the chosen and easiest method for most respondents.

In total, the research comprises 20 completed surveys used in the analysis.

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Possible benefits Not at all Somewhat Moderately Very Extremely

important important important important important
HEALTH

Improved physical
health
Reduced stress

Improved mental
health
SOCIAL

Strengthen
relationships with my
companions
Enhanced family
relationships
Provides
opportunities to meet
people
EFFICACY

Increase self-
confidence
Provides a challenge
that tests my abilities
Increased sense of
competence
Opportunity for
lifelong learning
NATURE

Greater connection
with nature
Provides opportunity
for solitude
Greater connection
with wilderness
Figure 1. Survey examining the benefits by interest

The items were measured on a five-point Likert scale from Not at all important (1) to

Extremely important (5).

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The interviews were administered during the same time period as the surveys.

They were conducted with 10 main questions. All interviews were voluntary and done

with the consent of the interviewee. The participants were asked for permission for audio

taping and were reassured that this data would be kept in a confidential manner. In total,

seven people were interviewed. Five out of the seven taped completed a survey. The

survey was finished either directly or indirectly by the interviewees. Among the questions

asked for the interview, included:

1. What do you think of having recreational center for persons with disability?

2. What are a few characteristics you would use to describe a person with disability

when it comes to sports?

3. Do you think that building a recreational center for PWDs will help them improve

their daily living skills and capabilities?

4. What obstacles do you see in creating/building a recreational center for PWDs?

5. Is it desirable for Capas, Tarlac to provide recreational center for person with

disabilities?

6. How do you think a recreational center would affect PWDs? Individuals? Entire

Community?

7. What do you think would be needed in a PWD recreation center? What do you

envision?

8. What possible benefits do you think people with disabilities will receive in having a

recreation center wherein they can participate in sport activities?

9. How would it help the entire community? In what specific ways would it be either a

negative or positive place for the PWDs?

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10. Do you think this proposal will help PWDs to select appropriate activities based on

their abilities and interests?

Findings

These findings showed the reality that person with disabilities do want to

participate in outdoor recreation opportunities. The various respondents were closely

examined. Also realized the various activity patterns for the different groups of person

with disabilities. After analyzing and synthesizing the literature review and the case

studies, it can be concluded that building a recreational center in Capas should have all

the facilities under one site. This could become more systematic and manageable. Many

different themes emerged throughout the process of analyzing the data; however, a few

reoccurring themes stood out which demonstrate all or most of the major findings all

throughout the research. These themes both adequately answer and give insights for the

research questions. The findings also show support for using a responsive design

approach as outlined in the literature review.

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