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An Analysis of Social Interaction between Disabled People and Volunteers Based on Tourism

KIM, JI SUN 1 Lee, Hoon 2

1한양대학교 관광학과
2한양대학교

Excellent Accredited

ABSTRACT

Disabled people normally participate in tourist activities with volunteers, and it is meaningful in that the tourism offers a chance for disabled and non-disabled people to interact with one another. This study seeks to identify the meaning of the tourist experience exhibited during an accompanied tour taken by disabled and non-disabled people. Then the study analyzes it in terms of the social interaction exhibited. Data were collected from in-depth interviews conducted with four disabled people and six volunteer workers using six participant-observations. The analysis of data was done using Colaizzi's method of phenomenological study and Goffman’s social interaction system. The results show that disabled individuals and the volunteers communicated through conversation, touch, facial-expression, and observation. Such non-verbal communication was important for the disabled. Volunteers that had experienced difficulties in care, were in conflict with others. Also, disabled people and volunteers were seen to expand their relationships as they related to welfare workers, other volunteers, parents of disabled people, and other disabled people. Hence, disabled people and volunteers experienced social interaction during their accompanied tour, which led to a change in their inter-relationships and tourism behavior. This research is meaningful in that it approached the topic from the integrated viewpoint of two subjects, disabled people and volunteers, within a tourism context. It also emphasized the role of tourism in leading social integration and suggested ways to induce positive interaction.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.