Inclusive community recreation is an optimal environment for the development of recreation and sports skills and social relationships between people with and without disabilities. Although we know much about best practices for inclusion, little systemic change in recreation agencies has transpired. Diffusion of Innovation Theory is proposed as a…

Storey (2008), in his eloquent and timely critique of the Special Olympics and his call to close it down, focuses on the failure of the Special Olympics to achieve the goal of social integration and sustained social interaction among people with intellectual disabilities and their peers without a disability label. The authors wholeheartedly agree…

The article describes a swimming program for children with disabilities. The program, staffed entirely by volunteers, aims to teach safety skills, offer such children exercise, increase self confidence, and encourage fun. Elementary swimming skills are taught with appropriate adaptations for various disabilities. (DB)

The resource section provides a directory of 46 national recreation organizations which serve the disabled. Listings include organization name, address, a phone number, and a brief description of services. (DB)

A program is described that provides physical therapy and a wide variety of activities for the handicapped. (JD)

The article offers eight questions for parents to consider in evaluating and developing a disabled child's recreation program. (DB)

Used interviews to examine mothers' satisfaction with London play services provided specifically for disabled school children and those provided for children in general. Found a high level of satisfaction, with play services seen as providing respite and benefits such as play, companionship, and varied experiences for children. Problems included…

Opportunities for children with disabilities to participate in sports have expanded as school and community sports programs such as the Special Olympics, intramural sports, community recreation leagues, and interscholastic teams have become more available to all children. A directory of 37 recreation organizations is also provided. (CB)

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign conducts a instructional ice skating program for its students and the community. Activities include: a figure skating club; a speed skating club; ice hockey program; and ice skating classes. (CJ)

The article provides a 30-year perspective on recreation for handicapped people and describes the significant expansion that will take place during the next decade. (SBH)

Describes White Oak Village in Mountwood Park in Wood County (West Virginia), a national demonstration model providing vacation and weekend outings for disabled persons from five states. Discusses White Oak Village's origins and development, local and federal support, goals, facilities, and activity programs. (RW)

Organizations that offer outdoor adventure activities can integrate programs to include individuals with disabilities. The paper describes how one organization includes diverse groups of people with and without disabilities in its outdoor activities, focusing on each member's strengths and encouraging cooperation. (SM)

Including individuals with disabilities into community recreation programs has become more popular recently. The ADA stresses the need for true inclusion, where people with disabilities can actively participate and interact in programs in a meaningful way. The paper describes two special programs that help include individuals with disabilities.…

The Early Intervention Effectiveness Institute established by Utah State University will increase the knowledge base concerning efficacy of various types of early intervention with handicapped children. Let's Play to Grow is a recreation and support program for disabled children and their families with approximately 200 clubs and 6,000 members…

Rising energy costs and staff reductions pose problems for those who direct aquatic programs for the disabled. At the same time, aquatics programs for the disabled are increasing in number, broadening in scope, and offering new opportunities for research and development of materials. (PP)