Recreation

Key Takeaways

What is Assistive Technology (AT) for Recreation?

• Recreation AT promotes participation in hobbies.
• Recreation AT allows participation in adapted sports.
• Recreation AT allows access to sporting, recreational, and tourism events.
• Recreation AT supports inclusive child’s play.

Common No-Tech and Low-Tech Recreation AT Solutions:

• Add verbal cues/prompts
• Increase handle diameters for in-hand objects
• Adjust entertainment space
• Use nonskid surfaces when performing tasks
• Place Post-it notes for visual cues
• Use binder clips for gripping objects
• Enlarge directions

Who, When, and Where is AT for Recreation Appropriate?

• For anyone with a wide range of disabilities
• When individuals with a disability desire to participate in play/amusement activities
• Recreation, sports, and leisure activities take place in various environments

Why is Recreation AT Important?

• Develops skills and competencies
• Increases mental, physical, and social well being
• Promotes self-identity, self-esteem, self-advocacy
• Develops social relationships
• Gives meaning and purpose to one’s life

Situations for Recreation AT:

Case Studies

Commonly Asked Questions about Recreation AT:

• Q – How can a person with a disability participate in recreational activities?
  • A – Talk with a doctor about recreational activities that best suit the person’s health. Discuss recreational goals with an occupational therapist (OT) or physical therapist (PT) that pique the interest of the person. Participate in group activities and work with a recreational therapist to review all areas of function to fully participate in the task desired.
• Q – What areas of concern should be explored when considering AT for recreation?
  • A – The areas to be studied are one’s abilities and challenges, environments, the tasks to be performed, and sensory considerations.
• Q – What are the reasons an individual would use recreational AT?
  • A – The typical reasons to use recreational AT are to increase social interaction, physical endurance, awareness of resources and adaptive equipment, and improve gross and fine motor coordination and mental health.
• Q – Does Recreation AT only apply to sports?
  • A – Recreation AT covers a variety of ages and areas including physical, social, outdoor, arts, musical, cultural, and service activities.

 AT Solutions at Oklahoma ABLE Tech

Visit Oklahoma ABLE Tech’s Recreational Inventory

Visit Oklahoma ABLE Tech’s Recreation AT/DME Reuse/Exchange Inventory

Helpful Links and PDF Resources:

• AT for Recreation, Sports, and Leisure
  Wisconsin AT Initiative (WATI) framework for identifying AT needs and solutions for students participating in recreation, sports, and leisure
  
• Oklahoma Adaptive Sports Association (OKASA)
  Resources from OKASA including sports, programs and opportunities/sponsorships for veterans
  
• Move United
  Resources on adaptive sports, equipment, and events
  
• Recreation and Leisure Resource Guide
  AT resource guide by Infinitec

Guides and Articles:

• Article: Staying Active While Living with a Disability
  Adaptive sports descriptions and possibilities
  
• Article: Developing Recreation Skills in Persons with Learning Disabilities
  Resource describes the benefits of recreation participation, learning disabilities’ effect on recreation participation, and a cognitive leisure checklist

Video/Webinar/Podcast Resources:

• Podcast: Adaptive Sports: Limitless Opportunities
  Discusses the landscape and benefits of adaptive sports
  
• Webinar: Play Games, Role-Play, Drama and Movement Activities to Build the Brain
  Discusses how to use a variety of games and role-play activities in early childhood and elementary settings and how to link them with instructional content (language, math and science vocabulary and concepts)