Introduction To Recreation Services For People With Disabilities

"Introduction to Recreation Services for People With Disabilities continues to reflect a broad-based explanation of the role of practitioners in the interrelated fields of therapeutic recreation, inclusive recreation, and special recreation. This fourth edition represents a major revision, including the most current research and thinking about the interdisciplinary fields of recreation and disability studies. This book is intended to be an introductory text for all students in parks and recreation/leisure studies departments."--Provided by publisher.

Introduction to Recreation Services for People With Disabilities continues to reflect a broad-based explanation of the role of practitioners in the interrelated fields of therapeutic recreation, inclusive recreation, and special recreation. This fourth edition represents a major revision, including the most current research and thinking about the interdisciplinary fields of recreation and disability studies. This book is intended to be an introductory text for all students in parks and recreation/leisure studies departments. Every student, whether she or he intends to work in a provincial park or a state hospital, a community recreation center or a community mental health center, a public school or a cruise ship, needs a basic level of knowledge about people with disabilities. The central theme of this book is that people with disabilities are people who have the same needs and wants as anyone else and deserve the right to be at the center of their services. Each person with a disability is a person first, not a disability. Recreation services must be centered around the person who is being served. That is, whether treatment-oriented recreation therapy, goal-oriented special recreation, or activity-oriented inclusive recreation, it is the person and not the professional or even the activity that must be at the center of service delivery. It is our hope that you will begin to see people with disabilities as people as you learn about recreation and therapeutic recreation services. If you emerge from this book (or your class) with this person-centered knowledge, then you will have learned a lot about how to provide recreation services to people with disabilities. Whether or not you happen to be a person with a disability, our more earnest hope is that you will emerge with a commitment to ensure that people with disabilities are treated as people who are at the center of their programs and services. This means that you will become an advocate, maybe even a zealot, on behalf of people with disabilities. You will encourage friends and colleagues to use people-first and respectful language. You will refrain from jokes that perpetuate stereotypes. You will be part of a new breed of recreation and therapeutic recreation professionals who celebrate differences and strive to provide person-centered and responsive services.

In describing the full range of recreation services for people with disabilities, whether in treatment-oriented recreation therapy, goal-oriented special recreation, or activity-oriented inclusive recreation, this text concentrates on the needs of the person with the disability.

Take a closer look at recreation issues for persons with disabilities in [the book]. By focusing on inclusive recreation, the authors offer concrete suggestions for integrating people with and without disabilities into the same recreational activities. An early introduction to related legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, makes legal issues clear and helps you understand the implications these laws will have for your career, whether or not you'll be working in the recreation industry. [The book] looks beyond the therapeutic nature of recreation by demonstrating that persons with disabilities should be considered leisure service consumers. -Back cover. This textbook was written primarily for undergraduate students, especially those in their first two years of study. As such, it is appropriate for use in community or junior college courses, as well as within four-year baccalaureate programs. -Pref.

This is a best-selling introductory book, intended for all students in parks, recreation, and leisure studies, regardless of specialty. It provides an essential, basic knowledge level of people with disabilities. Common themes are presented by the authors in a manner allowing readers to develop their own personal views of therapeutic recreation, and this approach keeps the focus of service on the customer.

Aimed at students and professionals in the field, this text presents a comprehensive introduction to the profession of therapeutic recreation, providing theory and practice for the 21st century.

Introduction to Recreation and Leisure, Fourth Edition, presents a comprehensive view of the multifaceted field of recreation and leisure. It delves into foundational concepts, delivery systems, and programming services. Over 40 leading experts from around the globe offer their diverse perspectives