XII ISMM World Congress on Mountain Medicine Mountain Medicine in the Heart of the Himalayas November 21–24, 2018 Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

Every year wilderness and outdoor activities become more popular in persons with disabilities. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of research, published guidelines, and recommendations on that topic. We reviewed outdoor recreational possibilities available for the disabled, ways of becoming travel active, and rehabilitation effects of these activities. A remarkable diversity of wilderness activities is available for persons with various physical, visual, and intellectual impairments, such as trekking, rock climbing, kayaking, skydiving, mountaineering, and alpine skiing. Specific preparticipation examination is required to assess health problems thatmight put persons at risk of injury or any kind of deterioration of an existing disorder, along with a detailed assessment of all environmental risks of the future wilderness activity. As a result, an individual emergency action plan should be created. Presumably people with disabilities are at a lower risk of accidents during such activities than the able bodied as the former are aware of their limitations and ready to cope with them. There are many barriers faced by the disabled, hindering them from leading an active lifestyle: intrinsic, environmental, and societal, among others. Practicing outdoor activities impact greatly not only upon overall well-being and socialization, but also upon adaptation to acquired physical disability. Leisure pursuits are an essential component of the quality of life, particularly if a person's full engagement in society is confined by a physical impairment. So, communities should develop more opportunities for wilderness and outdoor recreation for the disabled in the future.