Instead of finding the weaknesses in the disabled participants, the groups find teamwork, cooperation and a greater sense of trust in each other. These programs help to break down social barriers between participants. By the end of an activity, the group as a whole creates a bond from the time spent together, the lessons learned, and the obstacles overcome.
Another organization displayed by Sugerman was Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation (MASR). “Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation (MASR) is a non – profit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for persons with disabilities to actively participate in recreation, sports and leisure programs of their choice” (http://www.agate.net/~pelle/). MASR also educates other community recreation providers on how to effectively include disabled participants into their programs.
Sugerman shows that MASR sponsors a canoeing clinic in conjunction with Unity College and the American Canoe Association. The program is available to offer the disabled a chance to learn the techniques of canoe and sea kayak paddling. During these clinics, kayak and canoe instructors from local businesses attend to learn more about integrating the disabled into their courses (Sugerman).
For any organization involved in adventure activities, integrating the programs can provide many positive results by exploring new challenges and over coming barriers. According to Sugerman, a diverse group will allow the participants to recognize each other as individuals and not as a label. Also, activities set in the outdoors present the perfect opportunity for people to overcome stereotypes and barriers. Allowing diversity in adventure recreation programs offers new experiences to people and can help expand existing businesses.
After reading this article in Parks and Recreation, Sugerman’s argument for integrating adventure recreation programs with disabled individuals sounds reasonable and well supported by examples of organizations that have already worked with integrating their programs and have found success. The disabled that participated in the programs consistently expressed feelings of accomplishment, and success preceding the activity. The instructors from other local businesses that attend these integrated adventure programs learn how to work with disabled individuals, and pass the information on to other instructors. This type of diversity in an outdoor adventure program has a positive influence on the participants, and offers an opportunity for educators to learn more about integrating other programs.
This type of integration can be included in almost any type of adventure recreation program. Disabled individuals can benefit from this type of experience. This information provided will be very useful for current adventure providers as well as those in the future. The environmental barriers that typically exclude the disabled from recreational programs can be overcome by integrating the programs.
References
Sugerman, Deb Ph.D. (1996). Including people with disabilities in Outdoor Adventure Programs. Parks and Recreation, August. 44-47.
Wilderness Inquiry. The mission statement (2001) Retrieved April 9, 2001 at: www.wildernessinquiry.com
Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation (MASR). Introduction (2001) Retrieved April 9, 2001 at: http://www.agate.net/~pelle/.