The ARISE Project: Activity and Recreation in an Inclusive Sensory Environment
Please read the below information regarding research that you may wish to participate in:
This study is being conducted by Dr. Michelle O’Donoghue and colleagues to identify the design requirements for an inclusive, outdoor activity and recreation space to support health and well-being for everyone. They have a particular focus on the needs of young autistic people, autistic adults, older people and their families and carers.
Michelle is a CORU registered Speech and Language Therapist with expertise in the areas of autism and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). With her colleagues Dr Cristiano Storni (Interaction Design), Dr Sean Healy (Physical Education), Professor Rose Galvin (Physiotherapy and Ageing) and Tanya McGarry (Occupational Therapy) they wish to generate design requirements for inclusive outdoor exercise and recreation spaces.
Who can take part in this study
If you are a member of any of the following groups:
• Autistic young person (aged between 13 and 18 years)
• Autistic adult (aged 18 plus)
• Older adult (aged 65 plus)
• Family member or carer for any of the previous groups
You must have a good command of English to participate.
What will it involve
Participation will involve attending a 1-hour focus group with other autistic young people OR autistic adults OR older people OR family members/carers. There are in-person and online options for participation available. It is also possible to organise a one-on-one interview if preferred.
The team will contact you to set up a time that works well for you for a focus group or semi-structured interview, depending on your preference. You can take part online and in person. Focus groups will involve up to 4 other people. The focus groups and interviews will be audio recorded and will last for about an hour.
In order to participate you will have to read the information and other documents referenced, and if you are happy, tick the box to indicate you consent to participate. The research will begin with a brief written questionnaire. This will ask you some details about yourself (age, nationality, location). Next, you will answer some questions related to your experiences in outdoor exercise and recreation spaces, your preferences and your ideas on how to make these spaces inclusive.
Your data will be pseudonymised which means that a code will be used to identify you, not your name. The team will transcribe the focus group/interview within 2 weeks and then delete the audio recording. They will remove any identifying text from the transcripts that might indicate that it is you. You will not be identifiable in any of the results that are published from this study.
You can choose not to answer any questions, and you can stop/pause the recording at any time if you feel uncomfortable. Next, you will answer some questions related to your experiences in outdoor exercise and recreation spaces, your preferences and your ideas on how to make these spaces inclusive.
For further information, please see the participant information leaflet here.
If you are interested in taking part, please register your interest by emailing michelle.odonoghue@ul.ie.
