Windsurfing for All : Increasing Participation and Accessibility at Yyteri
Vörösvári, Eszter; Usenova, Elena (2011)
Vörösvári, Eszter
Usenova, Elena
Satakunnan ammattikorkeakoulu
2011
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201105239076
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201105239076
Tiivistelmä
The aim of the thesis was to study functional accessibility and adapted windsurfing at Yyteri beach for people with physical or intellectual disabilities. The theoretical background of the thesis includes literature regarding accessibility, adapted physical activity, windsurfing, equality, legislation on both international and EU levels and information about Yyteri Surf Center. The articles were collected mainly from Sci-ence Direct. In addition books from libraries and official Websites from the internet database were also utilized.
The main part of the thesis was based on a four-day-windsurfing event; organized at Yyteri beach for people with special needs. The purpose was to explore what kind of accessibility solutions were put in place or needs to be put in place in order to be able to arrange windsurfing for all. The research was divided into five parts: 1. Accessi-bility of Yyteri Surf Centre, 2. Adaptation of the windsurfing equipment, 3. Access-ing the beach and water, 4. Getting on and off the windsurfing board, 5. Learning windsurfing. The method used for this study was qualitative and consisted of analy-sis, interviews and audio-visual material.
This study indicated that opportunities of physical activities for people with disabili-ties had increased. The accessibility was enhanced by equipment modifications, sup-plying and building up new equipments. Based on the participants‟ feedback and ob-servation of the event, it was concluded that Yyteri is accessible and windsurfing could be organized for all, provided there was a sufficient amount of assistance and a substantial level of equipment adaptation. Equal participation in sports and physical activity for a person with disability requires a combination of various skills, compe-tences and knowledge. From the experts‟ point of view, personal experience and per-spective of the users plays an important role.
The main part of the thesis was based on a four-day-windsurfing event; organized at Yyteri beach for people with special needs. The purpose was to explore what kind of accessibility solutions were put in place or needs to be put in place in order to be able to arrange windsurfing for all. The research was divided into five parts: 1. Accessi-bility of Yyteri Surf Centre, 2. Adaptation of the windsurfing equipment, 3. Access-ing the beach and water, 4. Getting on and off the windsurfing board, 5. Learning windsurfing. The method used for this study was qualitative and consisted of analy-sis, interviews and audio-visual material.
This study indicated that opportunities of physical activities for people with disabili-ties had increased. The accessibility was enhanced by equipment modifications, sup-plying and building up new equipments. Based on the participants‟ feedback and ob-servation of the event, it was concluded that Yyteri is accessible and windsurfing could be organized for all, provided there was a sufficient amount of assistance and a substantial level of equipment adaptation. Equal participation in sports and physical activity for a person with disability requires a combination of various skills, compe-tences and knowledge. From the experts‟ point of view, personal experience and per-spective of the users plays an important role.