This study aims to investigate the meaning and achievement of lifelong learning for individuals with disabilities by examining their leisure culture, analyze the actual condition of leisure culture for such individuals, identify educational problems r...
This study aims to investigate the meaning and achievement of lifelong learning for individuals with disabilities by examining their leisure culture, analyze the actual condition of leisure culture for such individuals, identify educational problems related to leisure culture, determine the role of festivals as a place of realization of leisure culture, and to find a way for people with disabilities to participate in leisure activities. The objective of this study is to find a way to improve their quality of life by proposing a way to educate leisure culture leaders for individuals with disabilities for the realization of lifelong learning. The results of this study are as follows.
First, we must pursue learning throughout our lives through lifelong education. This universal human right cannot be an exception for people with disabilities. Self-realization through lifelong learning can completely transform their lives. It may be possible for individuals with disabilities to achieve lifelong learning and improve their lives by enjoying leisure culture, allowing them to live an independent life creatively. Leisure culture for individuals with disabilities can improve their self-respect and give them courage therefore, lifelong learning mustbe realized in their lives in order to enable them to continuously enjoy leisure culture. Thus, the enjoyment of leisure culture by individuals with disabilities correlates directly with lifelong learning. Their leisure culture must now be approached and understood from a different perspective. People with disabilities, who are alienated from much of society, may become more passive when leisure culture is not given considerable importance in their lives. Leisure culture as a means of a more enthusiastic and positive life must be integrated into lifelong learning for people with disabilities. A pursuit for the improvement of the quality of life through leisure as an active concept for people with disabilities must be safeguarded in our society and must be considered to possess educational value for their lifelong learning.
Second, leisure culture for individuals with disabilities is stagnant, as previous studies show. Most studies reveal strict limitations of leisure culture, and indicate inadequate programs, lack of experts, poor curriculum, inadequate facilities and spaces, and lack of trained teachers, etc., which limit the opportunities for their enjoyment of leisure culture. Problems of festivals highlighted by previous studies include overcrowding of schedules, government involvement, repetitiveness of festivals, lack of experts, and inadequate development of programs. However, the fundamental problem is that festivals are largely joint events that are open to all, with no special program for people with disabilities, and most researchers do not mention their problems in their theses. In order to overcome these problems, opportunities for leisure culture need to be provided through the provision of experts and diverse leisure culture programs in addition, individuals with disabilities must have the ability to use leisure time properly by thoroughly understanding the meaning of leisure culture. The appropriate design, development, and implementation of programs where people with disabilities can participate will revitalize festivals, ensure unity, overcome prejudice and segregation, and transform the festivals into combined events for all. Henceforth, leisure culture for individuals with disabilities must move away from the existing path. First, leisure culture must focus on improving their health and promoting emotional growth. Second, opportunities must be given to them to develop their interests and hobbies. Third, everyone must coexist by providing greater opportunities for social participation to people with disabilities. Fourth, they should be given social consciousness through leisure culture. Fifth, the course of leisure culture must be changed in order to allow them to live like human beings and become content. Sixth, they must feel a sense of accomplishment through leisure culture. Seventh, they should be permitted to demonstrate their creativity. Eighth, they must be guaranteed equal opportunity for the enjoyment of leisure culture. Thus, leisure culture is naturally connected to lifelong learning because they can discover the meaning of life through leisure activities. Their lives become more meaningful when they feel alive themselves, make discoveries themselves, and desire to repeat such activities. This can be done through leisure culture. Thus, the vitalization of leisure culture can enrich their lives, function as a driving force to improve the quality of their lives, and enable lifelong learning for them. The means of letting them enjoy leisure culture must progress beyond ideation.
Third, leisure culture leaders are required for individuals with disabilities, who will allow them to enjoy leisure culture on a lifelong learning basis and lead them to improve their lives by revealing their innate desire for culture and instinct for learning. The loss of participation and opportunities in leisure culture has limited the right of learning of individuals with disabilities for a long time, and has resulted in a loss of desire for learning, thereby blocking their chances of lifelong learning. The training of leisure culture leaders for individuals with disabilities can be a touchstone for achieving a united society where everyone lives beautiful lives together because of the improvement of the quality of life for individuals with disabilities through the enjoyment of leisure culture. In order to ensure that individuals with disabilities live happy lives as cultured individuals, the focus on the training of leisure culture leaders for such individuals has increased. Further, there is a need to understand this occupation and study the means of achieving professional results. Leisure culture leaders for individuals with disabilities must not only be trained to allow them to enjoy leisure culture by bringing about a change of understanding in our society but also be esteemed as career professionals.