Breadcrumbs
"What about us?" Provider awareness of under-represented groups
The Countryside Agency commissioned quantitative research into examining the policies, strategies and initiatives of countryside service providers who address the needs of under-represented groups. These typically include the elderly and people with disabilities, people from black and minority ethnic communities, people on low incomes and from inner cities, women and young people. It is also part of the Countryside Agency's commitment to the Diversity Review set out in the Rural White Paper (2000).
This research has been gathering information from service providers relating to their policies and practices directed towards increasing visitor diversity. The research has been undertaken by a team from the Department of Psychology at the University of Surrey.
It is already clear that there is a huge disparity in attitudes towards service provision and wider legal responsibilities. This is particularly evident amongst local authorities, and the research was extended to more fully incorporate their views. Through postal and telephone surveys, and then face-to-face interviews, the Surrey team have already been able to conclude that service providers are aware of the need to address issues under the Disability Discrimination Act (1995). Also, that whilst strategies that are focussed upon encouraging disabled people to visit have generally been put in place, more are planned.
However, fewer service providers are aware of the need to address issues under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act (2000). Fewer strategies are in place or are planned, that would encourage people from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities to access the countryside. Despite BME groups being under-represented as countryside visitors, providers have tended to focus upon encouraging visits from the general population. They are reticent about targeting specific groups or communities.
It is felt that this is largely due to the uncertainty that service providers demonstrate in engaging with an issue that is perceived to be emotive. They question the 'political correctness' of segregating certain sections of society, and are sensitive to the possibility of offending under-represented groups.
