Background: Participation in adventure as a recreational therapy intervention is well-recognized for its benefits for people with disabilities. Advances in technology and adaptive equipment have increased accessibility to adventure-based activities for those with physical disabilities. Climbing has long been established to facilitate the…

Ego integrity, the last developmental task in Erikson's psychological theory, develops naturally among older people. However, the presence of loss-like physical disability-can considerably affect the quality of life, interactions, and well being of older adults. Hence, older people with physical disabilities need more assistance in accomplishing…

Discusses the implications of the rapid, dramatic changes taking place in therapeutic recreation for individuals with physical disabilities. The article notes the impact of changes in managed care, examines programming trends in therapeutic recreation (adventure/outdoor education, competitive sports, handcycling, health enhancement activities, and…

Discusses sport transitions for athletes with disabilities, presenting a conceptual overview of sport withdrawal and the application of transition theory to sport transitions, examining factors associated with successful sport transitions, and making suggestions for how therapeutic recreation specialists and other sport figures can help athletes…

Describes the history and development of the Art Studio, a studio-based art therapy program in Cleveland, Ohio, and discusses specific patient needs that are uniquely addressed by the Art Studio model. The Art Studio was developed for use by medically ill and physically disabled persons, and is the result of a unique cooperative relationship…

Investigated the attitudes of staff members working in a therapeutic adventure program toward people with disabilities. Staff surveys indicated that overall, staff members' attitudes were positive, and they perceived people with and without disabilities similarly. However, there was a stronger negative preference to work with people with physical…

The Promoting Accessible Recreation through Networking, Education, Resources and Services (PARTNERS) Project, a partnership between Northeast Passage, the University of New Hampshire, and Granite State Independent Living Foundation, helps create barrier-free recreation for individuals with physical disabilities. The paper describes PARTNERS and…

This study investigated the relationship between skill performance levels of 31 elite male wheelchair basketball players and their international player classification level. Analysis of a skills test of each athlete indicated that there is a need to reevaluate the functional classification system used in wheelchair basketball competitions. (SM)

Assessed the outcome of a therapeutic horseback riding program for adults with physical disabilities. A one-group, pre- test/post-test design was used to evaluate changes on level of physical and global self-efficacy. Behavioral indices of self-confidence were also evaluated. Physical self-efficacy and behavioral self-confidence increased from…

Investigates the client age/disability work preference of 76 therapeutic recreation undergraduate students at 3 universities. Results indicate a preference to work with younger clients, disability groups, and physically impaired clients. Chronically ill clients were last in work preference. Students need exposure to the benefits of working with…

This pamphlet presents some innovative thoughts and suggestions to make gardening an "accessible" activity for any gardener, able-bodied or disabled. For gardeners with special needs, workability of the garden must take precedence over a conventional garden design. Designs to consider include raised bed gardens, garden containers such as whiskey…

This paper describes a study of the effects of horseback riding on physically disabled adults. The first therapeutic riding centers were built during the late 1950s in Great Britain. Today, there are well over 350 accredited therapeutic riding centers in North America. Therapeutic riding is categorized into three areas: sport/recreation, medical,…

This practicum was designed to increase the ability of physical therapy students to be innovative in the treatment of children, 0 to 3 years old, by creatively using toys and games. The practicum involved: (1) administering a test to seven senior physical therapy majors to determine students' current knowledge; (2) administering a questionnaire to…

Four award-winning summer programs provide opportunities for disabled children. Agassiz Village integrates physically disabled, inner-city, suburban, and rural campers. Camp Challenge serves hearing-impaired children and their families. Minspeak provides hands-on experience with assistive equipment and techniques for nonspeaking children, parents,…

Describes summer-camp experiences of young people who are incontinent because of spina bifida. Focuses on residential camp program as encouragement for youth to learn independent incontinence management. Describes self-catheterization program and process as minor inconvenience and positive alternative to soiled clothing and accompanying…