Recreation as a related service: focusing on the quality of life of students with disabilities

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2017

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Southern New Hampshire University

Abstract

Leisure participation is influential on the quality of life of individuals. Individuals with disabilities can face barriers in leisure participation, impacting their quality of life. IDEA (2004) recognizes recreation as a related service as one way to enhance the leisure experiences for students with disabilities. The purpose of this embedded case study was to explore how recreation as a related service contributed to the quality of life of students with disabilities in a public school setting. The scope of this study included six students and fifteen IEP TEAM members, including parents. Interviews, questionnaires, and document analysis were utilized to collect data on the perspectives of students and IEP Members, student outcomes, and the service delivery model used within a PreK-12 public school district in Northeastern United States. Findings from the data analysis suggested that students who received recreation as a related service demonstrated quality of life in the area of physical and emotional well being, social participation, and independence. Currently, there is a lack of awareness of recreation as a related service and it is underutilized in the public school setting. Findings that emerged from this study identify the potential outcomes from the utilization of recreation as a related service in the public school setting. Identifying these outcomes can increase the awareness of this related service. More research is needed to identify how recreation as a related service contributes to the interpersonal relations of students with disabilities and their peers. (Author abstract)

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