Lived experience of using assistive technology for sandy beach based leisure for Australian people with mobility limitations

Abstract

Purpose: This study explores experiences of using beach assistive technology (AT), such as beach wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs, prosthetics and crutches, to participate in sandy beach-based leisure for people with mobility limitations. Methods: Online semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 people, with mobility limitations and experience of using Beach AT. A phenomenological interpretative hermeneutic approach guided reflexive thematic analysis of verbatim transcripts. Findings: Three overarching themes were identified as: The meaning of using Beach AT, Practicalities of using Beach AT and Responses to using Beach AT. Each overarching theme was underpinned by subthemes. Meaning included: AT connects me, AT impacts my identity and AT attracts attention. Practicalities included: using AT requires other people, AT impacts spontaneity, AT limitations and AT use differs in water. Responses to using Beach AT included: I didn’t think it was possible, adaptions to AT limitations and not everyone wants to own Beach AT. Conclusion: This study illustrates the use of Beach AT as a facilitator for beach leisure, enabling connections to social groups and contributing to one’s identity as a beachgoer. Access to Beach AT is meaningful and may be made possible through personal Beach AT ownership or access to loaned AT. The unique nature of sand, water, and salt environments requires users to identify how they plan to use the devices, with realistic expectations that the Beach AT may not enable full independence. The study acknowledges the challenges related to size, storage, and propulsion, but emphasizes that these can be overcome through ingenuity.