title: Interests and needs for participation in tourism among disabled from eastern regions of Poland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The scope of problems concerning the disabled still remains a constantly up-to-date social issue, which requires current scientific analysis. In concern for the disabled, the problem of physical activity through their participation in tourism occupies an important position. The studies concern the disabled from three regions: Lublin, Białystok and Rzeszów, where there occurs the highest intensity of the phenomenon of disability.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The recognition of interests and needs manifested by the disabled from the eastern regions of Poland concerning the use of forms of tourism during leisure time.
  
  
  METHODS
  The method of a diagnostic survey and questionnaire technique were applied. A total number of 750 disabled were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study showed that the majority of the disabled spend their free time devoted to tourist activity according to their needs. The main forms of participation in tourism are sightseeing tours and package holidays, and the respondents would like most to participate in rehabilitation camps and sightseeing tours. A considerable variation was observed in the participation in forms of tourism among the disabled from individual regions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The disabled who do not wish to participate in sports-recreation and tourist activities, and for whom their state of health is the main barrier, require special interest. A relatively large variation of tourism forms used by the disabled in individual regions indicate the need for an exchange of experiences between specialist facilities taking care of the disabled.
authors.affiliation: State School of Higher Education, Biała Podlaska, Poland.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bergier
authors.affiliation: State School of Higher Education, Biała Podlaska, Poland.
authors.forename: Zofia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kubińska
authors.affiliation: State School of Higher Education, Biała Podlaska, Poland.
authors.forename: Józef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bergier
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D011044:Poland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014195:Travel