Introduction/Rationale: The prevalence of disabilities, regardless of type, increases as individuals age. With the demographic shift towards an older population, addressing the needs of older adults with disabilities (OADs) becomes crucial. Social participation offers benefits for OADs, particularly for their health and well-being. However, barriers such as ageism and ableism hinder opportunities for social participation in sports and leisure activities for OADs across all disability categories.
Objectives: This project aims to 1) map the landscape of sports and leisure activities offered to OADs in the province of Quebec, Canada; and 2) co-develop and scale up resources to enable social participation and inclusion of OADs in these activities.
Methods/Approach: This participatory action research project is embedded within Adaptive Living Lab. A steering committee, comprising of OADs, aging and rehabilitation researchers, community workers, and representatives from national adapted sports and leisure associations, collaboratively leads the initiative. The research adopts a mixed-methodology approach, integrating an environmental scan through online surveys and semi-structured interviews with a co-creation process grounded in Design Thinking.
Results/Practice implications: Our process resulted in an AI-tailored toolkit including customized resources for those offering activities to OADs. It features custom-developed training videos and knowledge translation tools to help providers apply evidence-based practices. These resources aim to enhance the inclusivity and quality of sports and leisure activities for OADs by making scientific evidence accessible and applicable in real-world settings.
Conclusion/Contribution to the occupational therapy profession: By enhancing opportunities for meaningful engagement in sports and leisure activities, we strive to create more inclusive environments that support OADs’ participation in valued occupations within their communities.