Supporting Participation of Disabled Wildlife Viewers: Recommendations from focus groups

Abstract

Wildlife viewing, defined as “intentionally observing, feeding, or photographing wildlife; or traveling to parks or natural areas to observe, feed, or photograph wildlife” (U.S. DOI & U.S. FWS, 2023) is one of the most popular wildlife-associated recreation activities in the United States, with more than half of all Americans participating in 2022 (U.S. DOI & U.S. FWS, 2023). One in four Americans has a disability – a proportion anticipated to rise with the aging population (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018). Globally, 15% of the population is neurodivergent. In 2021, with the support of a Multistate Conservation Grant, Virginia Tech found that 39% of wildlife viewers reported experiencing accessibility challenges, defined as “the difficulties someone experiences in interacting with or while using the physical or social environment while trying to engage in a meaningful activity (such as wildlife viewing). This may be a result of a mobility challenge, blindness or low vision, intellectual or developmental disabilities (including Autism), mental illness, being Deaf or hard of hearing, or other health concerns” (Sinkular et al., 2024.). Despite the large number of Americans and wildlife viewers with accessibility challenges, many likely due to disabilities, little is known about best practices to support their participation in wildlife viewing. Additionally, state wildlife agencies are required by the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure people with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate in the programs they offer U.S. Department of Justice (1990). Many state fish and wildlife agencies do not have the capacity to explore best practices for Universal Design (principles used when designing environments, products or communications to be usable by all and as user-friendly as possible; Aslaksen et al., 1997), the resources to conduct focus groups to hear from disabled constituents about their needs and experiences, or the training or expertise around disability or accessibility. This project is a collaboration between the Dayer Human Dimensions Lab at Virginia Tech and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Group, designed to answer these questions relevant to state agencies and their partners:

What motivates people who are disabled and neurodivergent to participate in wildlife viewing? Which people and groups support disabled and neurodivergent wildlife viewers? What features do wildlife viewing programs have that make them inclusive to disabled and neurodivergent participants? What makes wildlife viewing locations accessible to disabled and neurodivergent participants? How can staff and volunteers at wildlife viewing locations, and state wildlife agencies, practice individual and organization allyship to disabled and neurodivergent wildlife viewers?

Our hope is that this report will enable wildlife viewing staff and volunteers nationwide to more effectively serve all members of the wildlife viewing community interested in viewing and engaging with state wildlife agencies.