Using a rapid review process to engage stakeholders, inform policy and set priorities for promoting physical activity and leisure participation for children with disabilities in British Columbia

ABSTRACT

Participation in physical and leisure activity opportunities is critical to the health and wellbeing of children. However, resources and policy interventions that can facilitate participation are usually limited for children with disabilities and their families. Decision-makers can benefit from research evidence to inform the development of programs and policies; however, academic research evidence is scarcely used to support participation for children with disabilities. The integration of stakeholders’ voices with academic research that corroborates their concerns can be a strong strategy to support decision-making that is both relevant to the population and informed by evidence. In this paper, we use a rapid review methodology to support a knowledge translation project around community-based interventions to promote leisure participation for children with disabilities. In line with priorities identified by grassroots organizations, we identified research evidence to support practices regarding: (i) capacity building in adaptive/inclusive recreation, (ii) inclusion and access to community-based leisure programs, and (iii) supportive environments for adaptive and inclusive leisure programs. We synthesized this evidence into briefs targeted for policymakers and community/grassroots organizations.

KEYWORDS:

• Inclusion
• health policy
• leisure activities
• public health
• children disabilities

Acknowledgments

The funding for the stakeholder dialogue (and the evidence brief that informed it) was provided by the Edith Strauss Foundation and Economic and Social Development Canada. The views expressed in the evidence brief are the views of the authors and should not be taken to represent the views of the Edith Strauss Foundation, Economic and Social Development Canada, or McGill University.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research [145104]; Employment and Social Development Canada [246516]; Operation Enfant Soleil [145104].