Craving inclusion: a systematic review on the experiences and needs of people with disability eating out

Bronwyn Hemsley; Barbara Almond; Fiona Given; Simon Darcy; Patrick L'Espoir Decosta; Stephen Dann; Phillippa Carnemolla; Amy Freeman-Sanderson; Deborah Debono; Susan Balandin

doi:10.1080/09638288.2023.2295006

Craving inclusion: a systematic review on the experiences and needs of people with disability eating out

Disabil Rehabil. 2023 Dec 26:1-16. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2295006. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
² The Business School, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
³ Research School of Management, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
⁴ School of Built Environment, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
⁵ School of Public Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
⁶ Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.

PMID: 38146693
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2295006

Abstract

Purpose: To systematically review the research relating to views and experiences of people with disability eating out in cafés, restaurants, and other settings; and identify factors that impede or enhance accessibility of eating out experiences, inform future inclusive research, and guide policy development.Materials and Methods: This study involved systematic search and review procedures with qualitative metasynthesis of the barriers to and facilitators for participation and inclusion in eating/dining-out activities. In total, 36 studies were included.Results: Most studies reviewed related to people with physical or sensory disability eating out, with few studies examining the dining experiences of adults with intellectual or developmental disability, swallowing disability, or communication disability. People with disability encountered negative attitudes and problems with physical and communicative access to the venue. Staff lacked knowledge of disability. Improvements in the design of dining spaces, consultation with the disability community, and staff training are needed.Conclusion: People with disability may need support for inclusion in eating out activities, as they encounter a range of barriers to eating out. Further research within and across both a wide range of populations with disability and eating out settings could guide policy and practice and help develop training for hospitality staff.

Keywords: Disability; access; eating Out; hospitality; iCF; social inclusion; social relational model of disability.

Plain language summary

Some people with disability require support for increased self-determination and self-advocacy to access eating out experiences satisfactorily.Goals and strategies to increase access and participation in eating out activities for people with disability should include attention to the environment and hospitality venues and to staff training.Rehabilitation professionals have a role in training hospitality staff about disability access and inclusion in eating out activities.To enhance community inclusion and participation, rehabilitation professionals could focus more on the skills and strategies needed for people with disability to participate in eating out activities.Rehabilitation professionals could implement a range of facilitators that might strengthen participation in eating out activities for people with disability.