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

Week 6

The lesson for Week 6 taught me a lot about positive psychology along with the PERMA elements and how they play into our lives.
So what is Positive Psychology?
What is PERMA?

Positive Psychology as explained in this weeks lesson is, "a recent branch of psychology whose purpose was summed up in 1998 by Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: “We believe that a psychology of positive human functioning will arise, which achieves a scientific understanding and effective interventions to build thriving individuals, families, and communities.” Positive psychologists seek “to find and nurture genius and talent” and “to make normal life more fulfilling,” rather than merely treating mental illness. Positive psychology is primarily concerned with using the psychological theory, research and intervention techniques to understand the positive, adaptive, creative and emotionally fulfilling aspects of human behavior."

PERMA as explained in this week lesson, 
"The PERMA Model was developed by respected positive psychologist, Martin Seligman, and was widely published in his influential 2011 book, “Flourish.” “PERMA” stands for the five essential elements that should be in place for us to experience lasting well-being. These are:

1. Positive Emotion (P) For us to experience well-being, we need positive emotion in our lives. Any positive emotion such as peace, gratitude, satisfaction, pleasure, inspiration, hope, curiosity, or love falls into this category; and the message is that it’s really important to enjoy yourself in the here and now, just as long as the other elements of PERMA are in place.
2. Engagement (E) When we’re truly engaged in a situation, task, or project, we experience a state of flow : time seems to stop, we lose our sense of self, and we concentrate intensely on the present. This feels really good! The more we experience this type of engagement, the more likely we are to experience well-being.
3. Positive Relationships (R) As humans, we are “social beings,” and good relationships are core to our well-being. Time and again, we see that people who have meaningful, positive relationships with others are happier than those who do not. Relationships really do matter!
4. Meaning (M) Meaning comes from serving a cause bigger than ourselves. Whether this is a specific deity or religion, or a cause that helps humanity in some way, we all need meaning in our lives to have a sense of well-being.
5. Accomplishment/Achievement (A) Many of us strive to better ourselves in some way, whether we’re seeking to master a skill, achieve a valuable goal, or win in some competitive event. As such, accomplishment is another important thing that contributes to our ability to flourish." 

We also were required to take a quiz this week that informed us what our signature strengths are. To do this you go to http://www.viacharacter.org/www/Character-Strengths-Survey#nav and take the survey and then it splits your strengths and labels them from 1-24. It is said that the first five are our Signature Strengths. When we do activities to help develop these Signature Strengths it makes us happier. I have done this activity before and I really enjoy it. I think it is interesting to see how your strengths change over a year when you take it different times. It also helps me reflect on maybe what I want to be able to answer next time I take it. So I can try to develop that in my life.

Now, back to positive psychology. I love the things I learned and researched about meditation and positive psychology. I got really into meditation last year and I think it can help a lot with depression, anxiety, ect and promoting positive psychology.
https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/mindfulness-positive-psychology-3-great-insights/

I was going to copy and past the whole website page but I figure it's easier for you to click it and read it :) Till next time! 

Week 5

In this weeks lesson we were able to watch a super inspiring video about how we shouldn't let any type of "disability" deter us from living our lives to the fullest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc4HGQHgeFE&feature=youtu.be

We were also able to learn a little bit more on how to improve our interaction with those who may have hidden disabilities, development disabilities, mobile impairments and may have suffered a brain injury. I was super impressed with how many hidden disabilities there are, hidden disabilities consist of things like; migraines, hypertension, cancer, diabetes, kidney issues and the list continues on. These are usually disabilities that we may not be able to physically see but can definitely have an impact on how one lives their lives. Some of the ways we can better or relationships and conversations with those in this position include:

• Provide an environment conducive to self-disclosure.
• Once a person has identified himself or herself as having a disability, a confidential discussion can follow regarding the need for, and nature of, accommodations required.
• Ask questions that will help you provide appropriate accommodations.

Developmental Disabilities include things such as brain injury, autism, cerebral palsy, ect some positive ways to improve our interactions with those who maybe dealing with a developmental disability include:

• Interact with the person with a developmental disability as a person first.
• Avoid talking about a person with a developmental disability when that person is present.
• Break down concepts into small, easy-to-understand components.
• If necessary, involve an advocate when communicating with a person with a developmental disability.

Next we learned about Mobility Impairments, this could consist of amputation, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, polio, spina bifida, and spinal cord injuries. Some positive ways to interact with individuals who may have mobility impairments consist of:

• If a person appears to have little grasping ability, do not be afraid to shake hands.
• Do not hold on to a person’s wheelchair. It is a part of the person’s body space and touching it or leaning on it are both inappropriate and dangerous.
• Talk directly to a person using a wheelchair, not to an attendant or third party.
• During a conversation with a person using a wheelchair, consider sitting down in order to share eye level.
• Avoid inappropriate terms such as “cripple,” “confined to a wheelchair,” “bed-ridden,” “wheelchair-bound,” “deformed,” and “suffering from a disability.” Instead, use terms such as “person with a physical disability” or “person who uses a wheelchair.”
• Invite people with disabilities to serve on program boards and planning committees.
• Create an access policy to demonstrate your commitment to comply with the ADA and to include people with disabilities.
• Implement changes, if necessary, to make your pro¬grams and facilities accessible and compliant with the ADA.

The last thing we read about this week was Acquired Brain Injuries and these were the positive ways to interact with individuals who have experienced that type of trauma;

• Repeat important information about the purpose, duration and guidelines for a workshop, class, or meeting.
• Keep the environment distraction-free.
• Be aware that impulsiveness, irritability, or egocentric behavior are possible from a person with an acquired brain injury.
• Accentuate positive gains using frequent praise.

My extra thing I found for my toolbox this week I actually took from a post on our Team Huddle discussion board. It is a talk from President Uchtdorf titled, "Forget Me Not". In it it discusses the importance of remembering and recognizing our role as well as other peoples role as a daughter of God. In regards to this lesson I was able to take it a step further and reflect upon the Lords love for all of his sons and daughters. One of the "forget me nots" he states is to be patient. I think that being patient ties in with this concept as well. We need to be patient with ourselves when learning to work with other people and we need to be patient with others as well.