Bird watching is a favorite hobby for many folks, but did you know that about one in three bird watchers faces accessibility issues? Emily Sinkular and Ashley Dayer, researchers from Virginia Tech, made this discovery.
Sinkular, who led the study, points out they’re exploring two important areas: disability studies and wildlife recreation. Despite lots of research in both fields, not much attention has been given to where they overlap.
To get a better grasp of the challenges, the researchers surveyed wildlife enthusiasts all over the U.S. They looked at the experiences of bird watchers, both with and without disabilities, paying close attention to their detailed responses to understand how to talk about disability in a way that resonates with those living with it.
Dayer’s team, the Human Dimensions Lab, is teaming up with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to do more thorough research on wildlife enthusiasts with disabilities. Their goal is to help state agencies better support these communities. Dayer stresses the importance of inclusivity and optimism in their efforts.
For those facing difficulties, Dayer wants to stress one thing: you’re not alone. Many people want to connect with nature but face obstacles. She points out that the responsibility to support bird watchers with disabilities rests with society and institutions, not just the individuals themselves.
The study highlights the need for agencies and organizations to improve the accessibility of their programs and train their staff accordingly. Sinkular mentions that improvements benefiting disabled bird watchers can improve the experience for everyone.
Though bird watchers with disabilities deal with extra obstacles like lack of accessibility and safety concerns, they have similar needs to others, such as access to good birding spots and information. This shows that making accommodations to include disabled bird watchers can benefit all birding enthusiasts.
Ultimately, involving individuals with disabilities in recreational activities like bird watching promotes broader social inclusion. Bird watching has lots of benefits, like boosting mental well-being and supporting conservation efforts. Making sure it’s accessible means more people can enjoy these perks.