Recreation and Leisure
This posting is targeted for professionals and parents of individuals with disabilities. Other community members may also find it very informative on how to allow social inclusion through recreational activities. The purpose of this blog is to make us aware of ways that we can all collaborate and make school and community recreation fun for everyone by identifying places in the environment and techniques, making modifications and adaptations to these as we integrate them in our daily lives to accommodate individuals with disabilities.
Although for the past decade or so we have seen more participation of persons with disabilities in general education classrooms and community workplace we still need to improve and focus on more activities to integrate them into regular recreational and leisure activities. The resources provided in this blog discuss some of the following topics:
Strategies for Successful Inclusion in Recreation Programs
- Specific strategies to help different age range persons with disabilities to participate more fully in local school and neighborhood social and leisure activities.
- The use of community leisure facilitators to support people with disabilities in community programs.
- The importance of finding or creating local groups and activities for people of all ages.
- Ways of encouraging and assisting persons with disabilities to try new activities and experience participation.
- Disability awareness training and social networking.
- Promoting Inclusive recreation and Leisure Opportunities for adults.
- Procedural adaptations to promote accessibility.
-Ideas of different activities/coordinating programs.
- Common situations and support.
- Tips for training families.
To read and find out more on these ideas, the following resources can be very useful.
Book
- IDEA 2004 UPDATE EDITION - INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION - TEACHING IN AN AGE OF OPPORTUNITY FIFTH EDITION - Deborah Deutsch Smith, pages 299, 300, 315, 332, 333, 402, 403.
- Goodall, P. (1992). Integrated Leisure options for individuals with severe traumatic brain injury. (Special Topical Report #1). Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia.
- Ray, T. (1991). SCOLA leisure activity guide. Ramsey, Co.,
Articles:
- Strengthening Relationships and Bodies: Social Inclusion through Recreation.
- The meaning of Social Experiences in Recreation Settings.
- Community Recreation Programming to facilitate Social Inclusion: Rules of Thumb.
- Advocating for Inclusion: Strategies for Individuals.
Website:
http://thechp.syv.edu/recreation.html.
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDOCSrecreation/
Recreation and leisure activities are very important aspects of our lives. They allow us to socialize, relax, have fun and develop friendships/relationships with others. All these, in return help us to attain skills and abilities required in our daily lives for us to adapt to our environment and live higher quality lives as social beings that we are. By educating and training the community on a whole on strategies and activities to include persons with disabilities in recreational programs, we are increasing their opportunity to become more competent in functioning productively in their community. Therefore, we need to be aware how to help develop a sense of belonging, motivate them to become involved and be active members so that we can all have similar experiences as we grow and transition in our life.
Inclusion in recreation has many benefits, including activities where socialization is likely to occur naturally. Participation in sports and recreation sets the pattern of physical exercise that lasts a lifetime. In addition to all the health benefits of recreation and exercise, recreational skills can allow individuals with physical disabilities to have fun with their peers and can provide opportunities for enjoyment with their families. However, many sports and recreation programs for individuals with physical disabilities are not inclusive in that individuals with and without disabilities do not usually play and learn together. In many cases, only special programs genuinely allow everyone to participate, even those who are not athletically able. Research has shown that many individuals claim to enjoy recreational activities that are not integrated because they do not have to fear judgments and can take risks they would not otherwise take (Easter Seals, 2002).
Many special sports and fitness programs are now available for individuals with physical disabilities in America, however, in Belize we have yet to develop, fund and implement these.
This posting is targeted for professionals and parents of individuals with disabilities. Other community members may also find it very informative on how to allow social inclusion through recreational activities. The purpose of this blog is to make us aware of ways that we can all collaborate and make school and community recreation fun for everyone by identifying places in the environment and techniques, making modifications and adaptations to these as we integrate them in our daily lives to accommodate individuals with disabilities.
Although for the past decade or so we have seen more participation of persons with disabilities in general education classrooms and community workplace we still need to improve and focus on more activities to integrate them into regular recreational and leisure activities. The resources provided in this blog discuss some of the following topics:
Strategies for Successful Inclusion in Recreation Programs
- Specific strategies to help different age range persons with disabilities to participate more fully in local school and neighborhood social and leisure activities.
- The use of community leisure facilitators to support people with disabilities in community programs.
- The importance of finding or creating local groups and activities for people of all ages.
- Ways of encouraging and assisting persons with disabilities to try new activities and experience participation.
- Disability awareness training and social networking.
- Promoting Inclusive recreation and Leisure Opportunities for adults.
- Procedural adaptations to promote accessibility.
-Ideas of different activities/coordinating programs.
- Common situations and support.
- Tips for training families.
To read and find out more on these ideas, the following resources can be very useful.
Book
- IDEA 2004 UPDATE EDITION - INTRODUCTION TO SPECIAL EDUCATION - TEACHING IN AN AGE OF OPPORTUNITY FIFTH EDITION - Deborah Deutsch Smith, pages 299, 300, 315, 332, 333, 402, 403.
- Goodall, P. (1992). Integrated Leisure options for individuals with severe traumatic brain injury. (Special Topical Report #1). Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia.
- Ray, T. (1991). SCOLA leisure activity guide. Ramsey, Co.,
Articles:
- Strengthening Relationships and Bodies: Social Inclusion through Recreation.
- The meaning of Social Experiences in Recreation Settings.
- Community Recreation Programming to facilitate Social Inclusion: Rules of Thumb.
- Advocating for Inclusion: Strategies for Individuals.
Website:
http://thechp.syv.edu/recreation.html.
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDOCSrecreation/
Recreation and leisure activities are very important aspects of our lives. They allow us to socialize, relax, have fun and develop friendships/relationships with others. All these, in return help us to attain skills and abilities required in our daily lives for us to adapt to our environment and live higher quality lives as social beings that we are. By educating and training the community on a whole on strategies and activities to include persons with disabilities in recreational programs, we are increasing their opportunity to become more competent in functioning productively in their community. Therefore, we need to be aware how to help develop a sense of belonging, motivate them to become involved and be active members so that we can all have similar experiences as we grow and transition in our life.
Inclusion in recreation has many benefits, including activities where socialization is likely to occur naturally. Participation in sports and recreation sets the pattern of physical exercise that lasts a lifetime. In addition to all the health benefits of recreation and exercise, recreational skills can allow individuals with physical disabilities to have fun with their peers and can provide opportunities for enjoyment with their families. However, many sports and recreation programs for individuals with physical disabilities are not inclusive in that individuals with and without disabilities do not usually play and learn together. In many cases, only special programs genuinely allow everyone to participate, even those who are not athletically able. Research has shown that many individuals claim to enjoy recreational activities that are not integrated because they do not have to fear judgments and can take risks they would not otherwise take (Easter Seals, 2002).
Many special sports and fitness programs are now available for individuals with physical disabilities in America, however, in Belize we have yet to develop, fund and implement these.
Juanita, I'm so pleased you chose to comment on recreation; it's such an under-investigated area. I enjoyed reading what you had to say.
ReplyDeleteGenerally speaking, children with physical disabilities and other special health care needs were excluded from fun recreational activities. However, lately they have been provided more access and participation in these activities but still not enough opportunity. The inclusion is not consistent in this area because many persons feel unprepared to deal with these individuals. Another of their concern is the time spent preparing the individuals to participate in the activities which they think is time consuming. After reading up some more on recreation for individuals with disabilities, I also realized that they are just as interested in the same extra-curricular activities that interest their able-bodied peers. Sometimes, it's just that the programs are not readily available, funded or even seen as socially "cool." However, I believe that if these individuals are included more often in recreational activities, it will help improve their level of confidence.
ReplyDeleteAnother point I found very interesting in my readings is the idea of society on a whole to see individuals with disabilities as being "just individuals." This means that we see the person not the disability. If this can be done, we can move one step closer to bridging social gaps and accessing opportunities for them in the workplace, entertainment and media, politics, education, industry, literature, and everywhere else.
What struck my heart though, was when I read the fact about individuals whose health is delicate or who have physical challenges. They are not seen as conforming to the standards of strength and energy emphasized by the fashion, advertising, sports, and entertainment industries so admired by our society. And it is so unfortunate that the prejudices of society are often reflected in our schools. Deformities, muscle problems, walking ability, these characteristics suffer prejudice and discrimination especially in physical and recreational activities. This is a main concern of mine and I really believe that special education teachers can help lessen or even eliminate these prejudices by providing appropriate learning environments for all children and addressing the individual learning needs of children with physical disabilities who require special accommodations due to their health or any other disability. However, in order for this to be possible, teachers need to be prepared to work with these individuals to the best of their ability and with all the training possible.
It was also very interesting to find out that skills can be informally assessed through observation done during recreational activities. In situations like these, individuals feel more comfortable and at ease. Their tension level is lower because they are more relaxed and so can perform some skills better. This allows us to be able to learn more about their abilities,likes, attitudes and preference. Recreation time also helps them to explore their capabilities, gain greater capacity and make exciting discoveries through their experience. Recreational activities can help in developing better communication skills, skill practice and progress, developing relationships and experience real life experiences. However, in order for this to be possible, they need to access accurate and age-appropriate activities. Juanita
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