Activity for All / Sabai Sakriya

Physical activity plays a crucial role in maintaining health, yet approximately 1.4 billion people worldwide don’t meet WHO’s physical activity guidance. This issue disproportionately affects individuals with disabilities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Nepal. While Kathmandu has installed outdoor fitness equipment in many public parks, their accessibility and effectiveness had not been evaluated.

Research Activities:

• Selected and interviewed ten individuals with disabilities in partnership with Down Syndrome Society Nepal and Disability Human Rights Promotion Society
• Conducted joint visits to local parks with fitness equipments in Kathmandu MPC-26, Kapurdhara and Tarkeshwor Municipality-4, Dagurne Pani with participants to understand their experiences.
• Documented participant experiences and gathered suggestions regarding equipment use
• Discussed with local stakeholders including ward chairs at both research site about the research process and findings.
• Organized an Photo Voice exhibition event to showcase the study findings
• Created a detailed report of findings and recommendations

Key Findings:

The research revealed several barriers to accessing outdoor fitness equipment, including:

• Unclear park policies and opening hours
• Inaccessible infrastructure (stairs, slopes, unclear pathways)
• Lack of adaptive equipment for wheelchair users
• Absence of tactile or audio facilities for visual impairments
• Social barriers and feeling unwelcome
• Limited maintenance and broken equipment

Impact and Outcomes:

The project findings were shared with various stakeholders through:

• Presentations to policymakers and local organizations
• A public awareness webinar
• Recommendations for improving park accessibility
• Development of guidelines for disability-inclusive gymnasium design
• Increased dialogue among stakeholders about inclusive public spaces

The research has contributed to broader discussions about creating accessible public spaces in Nepal and provided evidence-based recommendations for future improvements in public park design and management.