| Title: |
Making outdoor learning accessible and inclusive for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND): a case study |
| Authors: |
Godwin, Ella; Jarvis, Lorna; Parkin, Nicola; Poortinga, Wouter; Hobson, Kersty; Stead, Mark; Reeves, Jonathan; Marshall, Morgan; Gattis, Merideth |
| Publisher Information: |
Taylor and Francis Group |
| Publication Year: |
2025 |
| Collection: |
Cardiff University: ORCA (Online Research @ Cardiff) |
| Description: |
Outdoor learning enhances children’s academic performance, social communication, and well-being. Accessible and inclusive opportunities for outdoor learning are essential for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to experience these benefits. This case study applied the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to evaluate the accessibility and inclusivity of outdoor learning programmes. The study involved qualitative interviews with expert outdoor learning staff at three WWT wetland centres in the UK. Reflexive thematic analysis identified four themes: resources and adaptations, communication with schools, staff approach to inclusion, and balancing needs. The findings highlight factors that shape the accessibility and inclusivity of outdoor learning provision for children with SEND. The study demonstrates how UDL can inform inclusive and proactive approaches to outdoor education, offering a model for organisations seeking to enhance the accessibility of their outdoor learning programmes. We conclude with recommendations for practitioners to support belonging for all children. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| File Description: |
application/pdf |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/183420/1/Making%20outdoor%20learning%20accessible%20and%20inclusive%20for%20children%20with%20special%20educational%20needs%20and%20disabilities%20%20SEND%20%20%20a%20case%20study.pdf; Godwin, Ella, Jarvis, Lorna, Parkin, Nicola https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/view/cardiffauthors/A2645380E.html, Poortinga, Wouter https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/view/cardiffauthors/A030774C.html orcid:0000-0002-6926-8545 orcid:0000-0002-6926-8545, Hobson, Kersty https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/view/cardiffauthors/A21892714.html orcid:0000-0003-4200-9081 orcid:0000-0003-4200-9081, Stead, Mark, Reeves, Jonathan, Marshall, Morgan and Gattis, Merideth https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/view/cardiffauthors/A0593885.html orcid:0000-0002-8665-7577 orcid:0000-0002-8665-7577 2025. Making outdoor learning accessible and inclusive for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND): a case study. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning 10.1080/14729679.2025.2601844 https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2025.2601844 file https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/183420/1/Making%20outdoor%20learning%20accessible%20and%20inclusive%20for%20children%20with%20special%20educational%20needs%20and%20disabilities%20%20SEND%20%20%20a%20case%20study.pdf |
| DOI: |
10.1080/14729679.2025.2601844 |
| Availability: |
https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/183420/; https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2025.2601844; https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/183420/1/Making%20outdoor%20learning%20accessible%20and%20inclusive%20for%20children%20with%20special%20educational%20needs%20and%20disabilities%20%20SEND%20%20%20a%20case%20study.pdf |
| Rights: |
cc_by_nc_nd_4_0 |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.A396E05B |
| Database: |
BASE |