Week 13

For week 13 we got to explore a little more in depth the role, requirements and responsibilities of a certified therapeutic recreation specialist. In doing so we were asked to make a mock job announcement in regards to this position. It was really cool to see all the different things that these specialists get to do. We also learned about what Therapeutic Recreation is and how it works. 


These are the components and or steps of Theraputic Recreation:

1. Assessment: Identify Clients needs; physical, social, emotional, mental, and spiritual
2. Planning: Determine client’s goals and objectives; functional intervention, leisure education, recreation participation
3. Intervention: Facilitate the group or the activity
4. Evaluation: Determine progress of the client and benefit of the program.

Therapeutic Recreation is very beneficial and provides the following benefits:

• Improvement in physical health status
• Improvement in psychosocial status
• Improvement in cognitive status
• Improvement in life, recreation, and community activities

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRmHnFEzoV0 this video goes a little deeper into the section of Therapeutic Recreation as well as the profession. 

 

Week 12

This week learned a little bit more about sports programming along with inclusion. To start off the week we had an opportunity to watch a really awesome video about a woman named Sarah. She's pretty freaking cool and has not let anything get in the way of doing the things she loves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLdi0hMkinM&feature=youtu.be&list=PL600754603F817D38
Her persistence and attitude to try over and over again are super admirable and how we should all strive to be and how we should try to build each other up as well.

I found a really cool website that stuck out to me when looking up information about this week:
http://www.dasasports.org/Default.aspx?tabid=809509
They also had a pretty cool video on their website
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rczdtfJhWFE

Week 11

This week we got to watch a video of a man who has no use of his arms but has a career in doing something he loves, drawing. It was very inspirational as well as eye-opening. We are only as disabled as we allow ourselves to be. Where there is a will there is a way. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4vdGpnpr0k&feature=youtu.be

We were then able to learn about the different benefits of arts and types of expressions when it comes to art such as painting, music, acting, ect. I liked what we learned this week about how there is three different levels of art participation they include:

1. The Perceiver: At this level participants might enjoy listening to music, watching a play or going to a photo exhibition. They appreciate the talents of others.
2. The Performer: Performers enjoy playing a piano piece or acting in a play. Their participation is much more than that of the perceiver.
3. The Creator: Participants at this level enjoy shooting photos, sculpting with clay or painting a mountain setting. Participation involves high levels of creativity.

We also learned about all the benefits that art provides such as:

1. Self-discovery
2. Communication with others
3. Improved self-concept
4. Skill development
5. Societal recognition and awareness
6. Social interaction

Online I found a website that goes a little deeper into these different qualities and perks of art for everyone really: http://www.disabilityliving.ca/people-with-disabilities-art-therapy/

They said, 

"One definition of art therapy is “Employing the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages with the aim of resolving conflicts and problems, developing interpersonal skills, managing behavior, reducing stress,  and increasing self-esteem and self-awareness.”

While art therapy does have specific benefits for the disabled, it also has emotional, physical, mental, cognitive, and creative benefits universal to all people. The emotional benefits are reaped when a person chooses to express his or her emotions through art, be it through painting, singing, dancing, etc. This may allow for a more “free-flow” of emotions, and may prevent them from getting backlogged and causing emotional difficulties."

I love the way they put this and it was really easy for me to understand and see how that could be possible, through the video we watched as well as through doing art myself. 

Week 10

I really enjoyed the video that we watched for this weeks lesson it was really inspirational.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwUc5RnvfPE&feature=youtu.be&list=PL600754603F817D38
I thought Brian's zeal and enthusiasm was super admirable. I would like to develop an attitude like his that I am willing, positive and interested in finding a way to do the things in my life that seem impossible.

In our personal training this week we learned a lot about the benefits of outdoor recreation:

Outdoor Activities includes water sports such as sailing, canoeing, kayaking; snow based programs such as downhill and cross country skiing, snow machining, ice fishing; land based activities such as camping, rock climbing, hiking bicycling, riding horses, fishing and hunting.

Benefits of Outdoor Recreation

• Physical Exercise and Activity
• Physical challenge
• Learning new skills and applying those skills
• Enjoy the wonders and beauty of Nature
• Opportunity to be with friends
• Freedom from daily stress and pressures
• Closeness to Heavenly Father; spiritual growth
• Outdoor activities are Fun and enjoyable!
• Excitement of planning an outdoor experience

I do like outdoor recreation however I love to be able to do exercise fitness, and indoor recreation. So I decided to look up some things about the benefits of that. Online a found a couple benefits that are similar to those for outdoor recreation

Helps You Relax

Recreational activities help you relax and give soothing effect to your nerves. It helps you release the tension and maintain equilibrium. It is one of the bestr elaxation techniques to help you get back to work in full form.

Reduces Stress

- Are you feeling stress lately? Do late hours get out the best in you. If tension is taking its toll on you then recreation activities are best for you.

Impacts Your Health

- Recreational activities have a very good impact on your health. It is an excellent medicine for ailments which cannot be cured by any other manner. It is a natural way to stay fit and healthy in life.

Social Benefits-

It helps you meet like minded people and develop a favorable rapport. People who share common interest makes a joyful group that help each other to promote themselves. Importance of recreation gets reflected in the status you build for yourself.

Refresh the Senses

- Feeling dumb?Recreation is the important and best activity to refresh you senses and prepare you for the next battle. It rejuvenates your senses and makes you feel light again.

Refills the Energy

- Recreation activities are best mechanism to refill your energy and make you feel alive again. It is best way to charge you up when you feel exhausted and drained out.

Quality of Life

- Recreational activities help you build self esteem and confidence. It helps you enhance the quality of life by building a positive self image.

Effective Time Utilization

- When your body is at the best of its form both in terms of health and energy, recreational activities helps you utilize your time effectively. The effort you put in a certain task is way below what you could have possibly put without any recreational activity.

Sharpen Skills

- The value and benefit of recreational activities is best seen in the form of skills that gets developed and sharpened over the period of time. You not only are inclined to learn more things but are also motivated to be at your best.

The website, https://www.scribd.com/document/124314780/Indoor-Recreational-Activities also gives some different ideas of indoor recreation activities. Some of which I found interesting like playing card games, it makes sense though. They help sharpen your sense and can increase social aspects as well! 

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Week 9

In this weeks lesson we learned about how important it is to network and learn how to collaborate. Along with that there is so much good that comes from learning how to do so. It benefits so many people, inside and outside of your own company. We had an interesting challenge this week to make a plan of how we would put together a program for an autistic playgroup and the different ways we would try to incorporate networking and collaboration in with it. I really enjoyed this activity as it helped me to think about how to help my group as well as how to get more involved with the community.

In our reading material this week we were able to read in more detail about networking. We were able to learn, what networking is as well as the logistics of networking.

"Definition: Networking is the process of establishing and maintaining communication with professionals and consumers from a variety of backgrounds that have a common vision about community leisure services.

1. Networking occurs between various individuals including different
   1. Disciplines
   2. Consumers
   3. Agencies
   4. organizations
2. Primary reasons for Networking
   1. Accommodate needs of individuals in our program
   2. Serve more people with disabilities

Benefits of Networking

1. Agencies can increase internal resources by adding the specialized skills of staff that work with the other agencies with which they network.
   1. Can guide individuals to programs
   2. Provide planning, teaching and leading skills to recreation activities
2. Staff within the network may be able to assist other agencies
   1. Can help during peaks
   2. Lead to higher quality service
   3. Improve resource utilization
3. Networks are enhanced when united
   1. Focus more on individuals needs
   2. Greater success is achieved
4. Increased information flow through organizations in the network
   1. For example, when a therapeutic recreation specialist in a hospital shares the discharge with a community recreation professional
   2. Individual with disability has a better chance of receiving better care.
   3. Both parties are able to communicate needs of patient with each other successfully
5. Keeps professionals and peers informed within and outside their respective fields
   1. Provide more diverse programs, better facilities, and a variety of trained professionals
   2. Better services that improve quality of life for individual
6. Share common vision
   1. The vision spreads and more rights are created for people with disabilities
   2. No longer parents or advocacy groups, it’s the whole network

Keys to Effective Networking

1. Common Vision
2. Communication
3. Compromise (win-win)
4. Commitment
5. Consumer Involvement by people with disabilities
6. Clarity (roles, authority)

Elements of Networking

1. Decide if you have enough in common to start a partnership
   1. Shared vision and motivation to accomplish is a must!
   2. Combines missions through mutually agreed upon goals and objectives
2. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all individuals involved in the network
   1. Supplementing weaknesses and complimenting strengths increases success
   2. By realizing that networks are long-term relationships, we can overcome short-term failures
3. Compromise
   1. Take risks without anticipating rejection
   2. Be receptive to new ideas
   3. Always search for win-win solutions
4. Communicate
   1. Remain in touch with those involved
   1. Promotes motivated employees
   2. Provides information regarding consumer satisfaction and views
5. Benefits of communication:
   1. Increases motivation
   2. Shares important information regarding progress toward the goal
   3. Provides assistance when facing a difficult task

What you can do to promote networking and collaboration

1. Personally
   1. keep an open mind, ask questions and seek clarification
   2. follow through with your responsibilities and tasks
   3. know your limits and when to get help
2. Regarding Others
   1. bring more people into your network
   2. recognize others and their achievements give feedback
   3. value and act on the expertise of others in the network-listen
   4. obtain training and info. that will increase your skills
   5. remember why you are collaborating-to help people with disabilities live enriched lives with inclusive recreation.

Community Resources

1. Human Resources
   • give out responsibilities
2. Information
   • Net, Libraries, Computer resources, and conferences
3. Financial
   • State and Federal taxes, fees from participants, fundraising and grants
4. Facilities and Equipment
   • work with other facilities to save money
   • Special Olympics using BYU swimming pool for free, also had volunteer network
5. Transportation
• carpools and carts

Within my own research this week I found what I thought to be a compelling website that is an advocate of why it is important to create my play group.

http://www.connecttherapy.com/blog/therapy-strategies/importance-of-play-in-children-with-autism/

One of the biggest things about networking is you want to present a solid point, that is convincing as to why people should get involved. This website helped me to do so. 

P.S

https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/2015/06/11/10-fun-summer-diy-sensory-games-kids 

this one provided different possible activities. 

Week 8

This weeks lesson we learned about the importance of making sure that different recreation programs can be offered for everyone regardless of disabilities. We also learned about how to work on making these programs accessible. There is a 7 step process that helps outline how to do this and the importance of doing it.

Step One: Program Promotion

• Refers to advertising and promotion of program.
• Ask questions to ensure that advertising is conveying the message that you want. Do my flyers show that my program is accessible? Are my flyers reaching the special population?

Step Two: Registration Process and Assessment of Needs

• Registration forms need to include a space where the applicant can state any special needs.
• Be prepared to meet with applicants to discuss special needs and how to best prepare for optimal experience.
• Does the participant require any accommodations of have any needs of which we should be aware?

Step Three: Accommodations and Supports

• Accommodations: Equipment and Activity Adaptations
1. Besides the person’s own devices, do we need any special equipment or modifications?
2. Have the steps of the activity been broken down into small tasks to match the competence of the participant?
3. Do we need to make changes to the rules to accommodate everyone?
4. Is the terrain or space accessible to everyone?
5. 5. How we manage the dynamics of the group to operate more effectively?
• Supports: Additional Staff of Volunteers What additional support staff does our program need?
• Assign a one-to one assistant
• Assign an extra staff member for the group
• Develop a “leisure partner” or peer support system
• Develop a leisure coach system

Step Four: Staff Training

• All staff participants are well informed and prepared.
• Guidelines: Is our training ongoing and consistent? Conducted with new programs? For all program leaders? Involve participant input? Are new staff members educated and trained in the inclusion process?
• Topics: Do our training topics include importance of inclusion? Benefits of inclusion? Disability awareness activities? People-first language? Simulation/experiential activities? Involve scenarios? Leadership roles? Discuss only important needs of specific participants?
• Does our program offer equal special personal care?
• Are the non disabled participants comfortable and well informed of needs of participants with disabilities?

Step Five: Program Implementation

• Are we executing the principles that we had prepared for?
• Are we communicating well with patrons to further improve the program?

Step Six: Documentation

• Are we properly documenting daily progress to evaluate success over time?

Step Seven: Evaluation

• Involve everyone (participants, parents, leaders) in evaluation process
• What happened? Why did it happen? What could be improved? What can be done differently?

Along with that we learned about how to make the social atmosphere beneficial as well:

Principles for Structuring Social Integration in Recreation Activities

1. Frequent and consistent opportunities to get acquainted
2. Equal status
3. Mutual goals
4. Cooperation and interdependence
5. Receiving accurate (not stereotyped) information about the person with a disability
6. Fair and tolerant norms

https://www.outdoored.com/sites/default/files/documents/files/AORE_Adaptive_Recreation_0.pdf 

talks about how to make outdoor recreation for adaptive for people. We know there are many different benefits to outdoor recreation and we want to make sure that all people have access and ability to be able to do so. I thought it was really interesting how there is a slide on this website that talks a lot about people-first communication. It is really important that that is a key principle or foundation of your program. In doing so all employees know that that is something they need to master and make important. In making it a key thing it will become natural and will also create a safe fun environment for participants that will enable them to keep wanting to come back. 

Week 7

This week had some very interesting material. It helped me to better understand how to make a facility better accessible for those who have hearing disabilities. Along with that we were also challenged to find different ways to make a facility for accessible for all types of disabilities. It was a very eye opening week.

This weeks video was, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGs0iqs0f_k&feature=youtu.be
It helped me learn a lot more about accessibility and hearing disabilities. I think it is a very helpful video because it goes over many different situations as well.

Along with that we were given some other information to help us this included:

How do I complete a self-evaluation and an accessibility plan?

Self-Evaluation Process-helps identify barriers that impede inclusion of people with disabilities

• List all Programs, services, and activities you provide
• Concisely describe each program, service, or activity.
• Collect and document the policies, procedures, and priorities that govern your day-to-day operation
1. Analyze how current policies, procedures, and practices (or lack thereof) affect or impact individuals with disabilities.
2. Determine if any barriers are physical and can be solved through nonstructural changes
3. Identify solutions to modify existing polices, procedures, and practices to allow for full inclusion of people with disabilities
4. Consult with interested persons, especially people with disabilities, on identified barriers and solutions, as well as other self-evaluation data.
5. Keep a copy of your self-evaluation on file.

Suggestions for Improving Access for People with Disabilities

Path of Travel

1. A pathway should connect separate buildings or activity areas within the same site
2. Designate parking for people with disabilities as close as possible to the accessible entrance
3. Securely anchor carpets and mats to floor surfaces
4. 36 inch wide paths

Doors

1. At inaccessible entrances, pace signs bearing the International Symbol of Accessibility and arrows indicating the location of the accessible entrance
2. Replace doorknobs with lever or loop handles
3. 32 inches minimum clearance

Stairs, Ramps, and Elevators

1. Hold meetings/events in spaces that do no requires stairs
2. Add nonslip treads to stairs
3. Ramps should be sloped at 1:12 or less.

Restrooms

1. Install a handle on the inside of the stall door
2. Provide knee space below the sink at 27 inches high, 30 inches wide, and 22 inches deep
3. Enlarge the stall to accommodate grab bars and an accessible toilet.
4. Provide a 5-foot turning space in the communal part of the restroom.
5. Dispensers should be 42 inches above the floor

Improving Accessibility for Visual Impairments

• Avoid reorganizing living areas
• Improve lighting within the facility
• Remove protruding objects
• Place handrails where needed
• Avoid installing solid glass doors
• Provide materials in Braille or on audiotapes if possible

Accessibility: Points to Remember

• Consider all types of disabilities
• Get input from people with disabilities
• Check with your state laws on access
• Functionality: approaching, entering, safety, and convenience
• New structures need to be fully accessible

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyYQ2P8WYx4

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/watch/ask-toh-doorbell-home-gym