Sabai Sakriya/Activity for All (Research Findings and Recommendations)

Resource Summary

Contributor(s): Diverse Patterns, University College London Type: Research Report Categories: Accessibility Audit, Accessible Infrastructure, Physical Activity Language: English, Nepali Keyword(s): accessibility, adaptive equipment, community health, disability rights, exercise barriers, fitness equipment, inclusive design, outdoor fitness, park infrastructure, participatory research, physical activity, public parks, public space access, Universal Design, wheelchair access Published Year: 2025 Format: Documents, Video

This resource shares the findings from the Activity for All/Sabai Sakriya project, which looked into the accessibility and use of outdoor fitness equipment by people with disabilities in Kathmandu, Nepal. The project was carried out from September 2023 to July 2024 by Diverse Patterns, Kathmandu University School of Arts, and the UCL Institute for Global Health, with funding support from the UCL Global Engagement Fund.

The study explored how outdoor gym equipment installed in public parks is used by people with disabilities and what factors help or hinder their participation in physical activity. Ten individuals (aged 20 to 65) with different impairments took part in this research. Through interviews, group discussions, and field visits to local parks, the team gathered insights on participants' physical activity habits and their experiences with park-based fitness equipment.

Key findings include:

Most participants wanted to stay physically and mentally healthy and did exercises at home or nearby, often alone or with support.
Major barriers included inaccessible park design (stairs, unclear paths), lack of adapted equipment, social stigma, and broken or poorly maintained gym equipment.
Participants expressed interest in exercising in parks with others but felt unwelcome, underestimated, or unsafe due to poor infrastructure and unclear park management.
Positive interactions with non-disabled park users helped boost confidence, but overall, participants had rarely seen other people with disabilities in such spaces.

Recommendations include:

Involving people with disabilities in park planning and design
Providing clear signage and adapted equipment
Training caretakers on disability inclusion
Promoting inclusive messaging to reduce stigma

The resource highlights the need for inclusive design in public spaces to ensure everyone, including people with disabilities, can enjoy the benefits of physical activity.

More information on the project can be found on Diverse Patterns' website.