Recreation as a Related Service: Focusing on the Quality of Life of Students With Disabilities

• In Event: 47.096 - MTCC Roundtable Session 20
  In Roundtable Session: 47.096-11 - Beyond the Schoolhouse Door: Full Participation for Individuals With Disabilities

Abstract

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 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. Participants included six students and fifteen IEP TEAM members in a PreK-12 public school district. Interviews, questionnaires, and document analysis were utilized to collect data on the perspectives of participants, student outcomes, and service delivery model. 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.

Author

• Melissa Rose Diodati, Southern New Hampshire University