Outdoor recreation and leisure have been deemed essential parts of human life, contributing to quality of life, regardless of status and abilities. Despite the many benefits and importance of the activities and experiences, persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Malaysia still face challenges in accessing and participating in outdoor recreational activities. In recent years, several studies in Malaysia have focused on the structural aspects of constraints, but few have concentrated on understanding the roles of constraints negotiation and facilitators for leisure participation. The lack of information and understanding about factors related to constraints and facilitators of leisure in Malaysia make it difficult for recreation providers, park managers, and advocates to provide effective accessible leisure outdoor services for PWDs. Physical barriers and lack of accessible facilities and services, coupled with other limitations such as limited funding and negative social stereotypes of PWDs in Malaysia, make it difficult for providers to create environments conducive for PWDs to participate in accessible leisure outdoor activities.Therefore, to understand the needs and challenges faced by the Malaysian PWD community, the purpose of this exploratory study is to examine outdoor recreation participation of PWDs, the constraints and facilitators related to their outdoor recreation participation, and strategies they may use to negotiate those constraints. This study is delimited to persons with mobility impairments (n=11) and visual impairments (n=10) who reside or work in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Interviewees represent three major ethnicities in Malaysia, male and female genders, diverse ages and levels of education, and employment status.Findings suggest that PWDs in Malaysia experience various constraints before and during their outdoor recreation participation, and they negotiate their constraints to enable their participation. The study also reveals that facilitators for outdoor recreation participation vary depending on multiple factors and are distinctive to the individual's disability type. Respondents advise other PWDs to have positive attitudes and strong beliefs in their own abilities. They plea for understanding and awareness across Malaysian society toward PWDs, and urge authorities to take specific actions to tackle problems such as lack of enforcement, poor facilities development, and substandard management practices by authorities responsible for outdoor recreation provision in Malaysia.Study results provide insights that reflect the current demands and needs of Malaysian PWDs regarding their outdoor recreation participation. Thus, results of this study should help outdoor recreation providers, relevant agencies, and local community member to develop and provide accessible outdoor recreation opportunities more effectively than done currently. Results of this study can help policymakers review existing policies and modify them to facilitate and help increase outdoor recreation participation among PWDs in Malaysia. Finally, this study will contribute to the literature related to outdoor recreation, leisure constraints, and facilitators among PWDs in a specific context, Malaysia.
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