Physically Challenged Persons Access to Public Recreational Centres in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Throughout the globe recreation is undermined, especially in developing countries of the world. The term recreation is not just play or amusement but to create again new body and mind. Facility used for such play or amusement is recreational facility. Design approaches such as accessible, inclusive and universal design approaches are to meet the need of all, especially the physically challenged persons when accessing public recreational centres, but that is not always the case with most recreational centres. It is on this note that this research assessed physically challenged persons’ access to public recreational centres in Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers State. Both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were adopted, the targeted population is the physically challenged persons in Obio/Akpor. A total of 20 physically challenged persons in Rumuola, Oginigba and Rumuadulo were purposively interviewed using structured questionnaires. The state of the recreational centres was assessed using checklist questionnaires. Finding indicates that most physically challenged persons experienced difficulties accessing recreational centres, most recreational centres do not have ramps, only one of the centres has toilet for both staff and the public, one has for just staff while one does not have. To access some of the facilities, physically challenged persons have to cross major roads. The research recommends that there should be training of recreational centre personnel, Government at all levels should ensure that standards are met and laws enacted and enforced to ensure the safety of the physically challenged and their ability to access recreational centres. Professional bodies in the built environment should enlighten their members and the general public on the need to adhere to guideline and standards for designing, approving and constructing recreational centres that will meet the need of the physically challenged.