Young Disabled People, Leisure and Everyday Life: Reviewing Conventional Definitions for Leisure Studies

Abstract

Conventional definitions of leisure have focussed on when young people participate in leisure (leisure time), what they do in their leisure (leisure activities) and where this leisure is provided (leisure spaces). For young disabled people, however, questions of who appear to be just as significant as questions of when, what and where. This paper discusses the importance of social interaction with significant others as a prerequisite for defining certain activities and spaces as ‘leisure’. The paper examines a combination of leisure activities and spaces in the lives of young disabled people and assesses the importance of friendships and social interaction in defining these activities and spaces as leisure.