Trends and Issues in Recreation and Leisure Services
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Transcript Trends and Issues in Recreation and Leisure Services
Trends, Issues and
Legislation in Recreation
and Leisure Services
Education and Leisure
Schools provide some education in
leisure areas through music, arts,
physical education, and
extracurricular activities
Typically the higher the education a
person has, the greater their leisure
knowledge. This is explained by
exposure to different sports.
Educating for Leisure
•
Therapeutic Recreation
Professionals educate regarding
leisure. However, if you are not a
part of a marginalized population,
you do not receive these services.
•
The challenge for Recreation
professionals is to somehow educate
the rest of the population.
•
What are some ways that professionals can educate
people about leisure?
Benefits of Healthy Living through
Leisure
Physical fitness decreases:
Risks for cardiovascular disease includes high
blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol
Increases energy, body strength and self-esteem
Decreases tension and symptoms of depression
Manages non-insulin dependent diabetes
Public recreation agencies offer fitness and sport
programs for all ages
Social Connections
Studies have reported that organizational
membership is down in the U.S. People are not
joining civic groups, churches, or other
organizations as in previous years.
Socialization helps reduce the risk of heart
disease and maintains the immune system
Leisure services can help improve memberships
Stress Relief
Laughter activates muscle use and increases
heart rate and oxygen exchange
Laughing is inherently associated with play
The joy and camaraderie of play and other forms
of recreation participation enhance laughter and
reinforces a sense of humor.
Government and Public Recreation
Concern for citizens health and welfare and the
necessity to use natural resources led to the U.S.
government’s involvement in recreation and
parks.
The federal government is a major supplier of
outdoor recreation opportunities through the
programs of the Department of the Interior
(National Park Service) and the Department of
Agriculture (U.S. Forest Service)
Justification of Government
Involvement
Government is the only agency supported by and
for all people.
Has the financial resources to acquire, establish,
improve, and operate facilities
Has the authority of eminent domain that allows
acquisition of private lands for a greater public
good.
Provides a source of continuity and permanency
Legal precedent has been set over the years
Its purpose is the serve the public without excluding
anyone from its programs.
Recreation Functions of Government
Management of land and natural resources
Provision of technical assistance and consulting
Financial assistance to local government
Direct service delivery
Enactment and enforcement of regulations
Federal Services
Department of the Interior
protection of natural resources, regulation of
hunting and fishing, care of cultural and historic
sites, management of facilities designed for
recreation purposes. (The National Park Service is
under this branch of government)
Department of Agriculture
Done mostly through the Forest Service, Federal
Extension Service, and Soil Conservation Service.
Provides technical and education assistance,
outdoor recreation resources and encourages
and enacts regulatory policies to protect the
quality of the environment and the recreation
experience.
Department of Defense
Provides direct recreation services to the military
similar to local recreation and park departments
These services are an inducement for enlistment,
provide increased levels of productivity,
encourage sustained morale and help the
loneliness associated with military service.
Department of Education
Recreation are recognized as a significant part of education and the
involvement of the public school system in the provision of adequate
recreation opportunities is encouraged.
Has a special influence on the park and recreation services for people
with disabilities with the Office of Special Education and Recreation
(OSERS). The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) offers
financial support for the development of graduate study in the field of
Therapeutic Recreation.
Department of Housing and Urban
Development
Is concerned with the comprehensive planning and development of
American cities. Recreation concerns are a part of this process. HUD has
encouraged the development and use of planning standards and the
necessity for effective evaluation of park and recreation delivery
systems.
Legislation and Recreation
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Provided funds for vocational rehab
Funding for independent living services
Initial addressing of discrimination against
individuals with disabilities
What the Rehab Act Addressed
Section 501: Employment
Section 502: Architectural & Transportation
Barriers Compliance board
Section 503: Employment under federal contract
Section 504: Nondiscrimination under federally
funded programs
The most significant Section of the
Rehab Act was Section 504.
Provided civil rights protection for individuals
with disabilities primarily for federally funded
programs
Landmark statement – no one may be excluded
from a federally funded program based strictly
“by reason of his/her handicap”
Definition of a “Handicapped”
Individual
“has a physical or mental impairment that
substantially limits one or more of such person’s
major life activities”
Has a record of impairment or is regarded as having
the impairment
Major life Activities defined as:
Self-care, performing manual tasks, seeing,
hearing, speaking, breathing, learning,
walking
Section 504 in regards to Recreation
Established recreation as an important part of the
rehabilitation process
Established funding for:
Research
Training
Special Projects such as T.R. and Recreation
students receiving graduate education
A later amendment established TR as an
allowable supportive service
PL 94-142 Education for Handicap
Children Act(1975)
Guaranteed a free and appropriate education for individuals with
disabilities who require it, this includes related service programming.
Psychological services
Rehabilitation Counseling
Speech Pathology
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Transportation
Recreation
Protect and insure rights of children and youth with disabilities
PL 94-142 and Recreation
Assessment of recreation and leisure
Leisure education
Therapeutic recreation
Recreation/Therapeutic Recreation must:
Assist educational process
Enhance educational process
Funds for PL 94-142:
Used to train undergraduate and graduate
students
Conduct research into related services
Conduct special projects
Extremely under utilized service/funds