Participation of Individuals with Special Needs in Vacation and Leisure Activities

Objective: This research aims to determine the participation processes of individuals with special needs in vacation and leisure time activities, the obstacles they face, the strategies used to overcome them, and to develop suggestions to increase participation. Method: Phenomenology design, one of the qualitative research designs, was preferred in the study because it provides an in-depth and detailed understanding of the issues we are aware of. There were 13 participants in the study, including five parents of individuals with special needs, four siblings of individuals with special needs, and four individuals with special needs. While focus group interviews were conducted with the parents and siblings of individuals with special needs, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals with special needs. The research data were analyzed through content analysis. Results and Discussion: The study's findings show that individuals with special needs have more free time than their peers, and they usually spend this time with technological devices such as television, computers, tablets, and phones. Individuals with special needs who usually spend their free time at home and on online platforms can participate in vacation and leisure activities at a limited level. In addition to economic difficulties, negative attitudes of the society and problems related to accessibility have been observed to limit these activities. Research Implications: In order to increase the participation of individuals with special needs in qualified activities during holidays and leisure time, social facilities should be opened, social assistance should be increased, and the physical accessibility of public spaces should be regulated. In addition, it is considered important to ensure the participation of individuals with special needs by organizing various activities through non-governmental organizations. The active involvement of families of individuals with special needs in the process will contribute to their children spending quality time in their free time.