Recreational Activities for People with Disabilities

[Pages:2]Patient Education Tool

Recreational Activities for People with Disabilities

For the 54 million people with disabilities in the US, positive approaches to promoting health are extra important. That's because this special population has a relatively high rate of health problems--including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression. In fact, a much lower percentage of people with disabilities than people without disabilities report their health to be excellent or good (28.4% versus 61.4%). One of the best ways to beat the odds and enjoy a healthy lifestyle is to participate in physically and mentally stimulating recreational activities.

A few decades ago, people with disabilities had limited opportunities for recreational activities. The restrictions were due to physical barriers--like the absence of wheelchair ramps to recreation buildings--and discriminatory attitudes in our society. But remarkable advances have been made in recent years, sparked by the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. These days, with a little investigation and information, everyone has access to healthy and enjoyable recreational activities.

So which activities will you choose to participate in? Are special equipment and training required to get started? And where can you learn more about the topic at hand? This newsletter answers these questions and more.

US Department of Health and Human Services. Access to quality health services and disability. healthypeople2010.html. Accessed 11/25/09.

Activities for Health and Fun

When it comes to choices of recreational activities, the sky's the limit--quite

literally! Across the US, for example, several nonprofit organizations teach people with disabilities how to fly specially-equipped airplanes. If you prefer more-grounded fun, you might try gardening, doing arts and crafts, playing a musical instrument, dancing, or camping. The bottom line is that technological advances in assistive equipment have enabled people with physical disabilities to participate in any and all activities, including the full range of recreational sports.

To choose your ideal activities, make a list of what interests and excites you most. Consider that you might not experience the greatest enjoyment and health benefits of new recreational pursuits for several weeks or months. If you choose activities that are personally meaningful and engaging, you'll naturally stick with them long enough to reap their full rewards. You might even become a life-long participant in selected activities.

Special Equipment, Tools, and Training

For everyone beginning new recreational activities, special equipment, tools, and training can make all the difference in

performing optimally, gaining health benefits, and having fun. Here are just a few examples of assistive equipment:

? Adaptive grips on paint brushes for artists who have difficulty using their hands and fingers to grasp objects

? Vibrating amplification systems for musicians who are deaf

? Garden shears that are specifically designed for people with arthritis

? Flotation devices for swimmers with lower-limb amputations

? Adjustable-height hoops for wheelchair basketball players

? Fully adapted and accessible playground equipment for children with movement-related disorders

Many state and local governments offer programs that help people with disabilities obtain and pay for assistive equipment. To learn more about these programs, visit and enter "assistive technology" in the website's search program.

Unlimited Recreational Activities for People with Disabilities

Aquatics

Archery

Graphic Arts

Aviation

Baseball

Basketball

Bowling

Camping

Fishing

Hiking

Exercise Training

Gardening

Fencing

Frisbee

Horseback Riding

Golf

Arts and Crafts

Motorcycle Riding

Jogging

Martial Arts

Skiing (Water and Snow)

Music

Photography

Swimming

Skydiving

Tennis

Writing

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Tips for Getting Started

Before jumping into a new recreational activity, take the following suggestions to heart.

1. Talk with your doctor. Let your

doctor know about your interest in becoming more active. He or she may suggest recreational activities that best suit your health needs. If your chosen activities are physically demanding or risky, you might need a special medical exam and your doctor's approval for participation.

2. Talk with your occupational or

physical therapist. If you work with an occupational or physical therapist, talk with him or her about sports, hobbies, and adventures that might best serve your interests and needs.

3. If possible, work with a

recreational therapist. A hospital, rehabilitation center, or parks-and-recreation department in your community might have a recreational therapist on its staff. Recreational therapists are specially trained to provide instruction in healthy and enjoyable activities for people with disabilities.

4. Look for opportunities to

participate in group activities. Some of the greatest benefits of recreational activities come through enjoying them with others. Many studies have shown that social interaction is especially important for improving mental health and avoiding depression.

Where to Learn More

The Internet, of course, is a great place to learn more about recreational activities. An especially informative government resource is the website of the US Department of Health and Human Services Office on Disability (. gov/od). The site describes governmentsponsored programs for promoting recreational activity, and it provides

PatientNewsletter Recreational Activities for People with Disabilities

Many community centers offer recreational activities for people with disabilities. In your local community center's newsletter, look for announcements about upcoming events. You might also inquire about courses and events at the recreation center or physical education department of a local college or university.

information about access to recreation venues, including national parks. Another excellent resource on the Web is The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (). Among other features, this organization's website includes videos that demonstrate how to perform home-based physical exercise.

Summing Up

Recreational activity is good for everybody; and these days the choices of activities for people with disabilities are limitless. Whether you take up wheelchair basketball or start a new vegetable garden using assistive tools, you'll be rewarded with better physical and mental health, enjoyment, and an enriched quality of life.

Helpful Internet Resources on Recreation for People with Disabilities

Organization

Features and Programs

Disabled Sports USA

Provides national leadership and opportunities for participation in community sports, recreation and educational programs

The Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)

Includes information about state offices that provide financial assistance for helping people with disabilities obtain assistive technology

Paralympic Movement

Includes educational information on scientific aspects of performance for athletes who compete in Paralympic events

Outdoors for All

Provides instruction in all forms of outdoor recreation (based in the Pacific Northwest)

Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International

Offers therapeutic and recreational horseback riding activities in centers across the US and Canada

Website Address



PE Central: Adapted Physical Education Web Sites

Provides links to numerous websites on adapted physical education and recreation

adapted/adaptedsites.html

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? 2009, 2014 Prime Education, Inc. (PRIME?). All Rights Reserved. For questions about this newsletter please visit

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