Federal grants for the disabled

While the medical community continues to document health risk factors associated with a nation of largely sedentary people, a subpopulation -- close to 50 million individuals with permanent or temporary disabilities -- faces even greater wellness challenges. What's more, many therapeutic recreation providers and persons with disabilities believe that although there has been some progress, access to community recreation services and facilities is far too limited for people with disabilities. One result, advocates contend, is the increased likelihood that secondary chronic health problems will occur in this population.

These circumstances could be exacerbated if the Congress agrees with the President's fiscal year 2003 budget proposal to stop funding the federal Rehabilitation Services Administration's (RSA) recreation demonstration grants program. The National Recreation and Park Association and its National Therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS), recreation advocates, and other groups affiliated with recreation and sport are urging Congress to restore the modest appropriation -- $2.6 million available this fiscal year -- for fiscal year 2003, as well.

Program objectives authorized in 1973, amendments to the Rehabilitation Act, provide seed money for recreation programs for people with disabilities and encourage innovation. Since the program was first funded in the early 1980% appropriators have allocated only modest funds, often less than $5 million annually.

Successful Program Needs Support

This modest RSA grant program has undoubtedly saved health care providers and governments at all levels hundreds of millions of dollars by containing health care costs, experts observe. By reducing the length of hospital stays, time in rehabilitation and residential institutions, and preventing the occurrence of secondary health risks, individuals have a greater likelihood of employment, improved health, and an enriched lifestyle.

The demand for support of community recreation services for persons with disabilities is overwhelming. Over 300 agencies annually apply for RSA recreation grants, but fewer than 10 are typically funded. Although participants are limited in number, the potential to leverage additional recreation services is high. According to Larry Reiner, director of the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association in Illinois, a multi-jurisdiction therapeutic recreation service entity organized with RSA assistance, "the seed dollars got the project off the ground. Then we could get local support to keep programs and continue to provide services." When community leaders see the program and personal outcomes, "they understand their importance and the cost-effectiveness of investments," Reiner said. More than 75 percent of the local recreation programs initiated with this federal grant continue after federal funding ends," observes John McGovern, director of the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association, also in Illinois, and a strong program advocate.

Messages to Legislators

Congressional appropriators will determine the immediate fate of the RSA program. The U.S. House of Representatives' appropriations subcommittee on labor, health and human services, education and related agencies (and the corresponding Senate subcommittee), will soon consider the agency's budget for fiscal year 2003 that begins Oct. 1. Program advocates, including individuals with disabilities, should share perspectives with these and other legislators. To find out who to contact go to www.house.gov and www.senate.gov for subcommittee members. Inform them of program outcomes and services leveraged with an RSA grant. See the box for great examples. Personal accounts are always important. Legislators should also be reminded that RSA recreation program grants are not just about fun. They have other demonstrable outcomes, including a greater likelihood of employment and health care cost containment. Demonstration projects in particular are essential to the expansion of recreation services through other means, and an enhanced lifestyle for millions of persons with disabilities.

MORE TO COME

There could be a promising future for recreation demonstration grants in a larger context. The Bush administration's New Freedom Initiative is a policy action, for example, designed to increase access to assistive and adaptive technology and devices, expanded opportunities for education, and full access to community resources. The Rehabilitation Services Administration's modest grants program is fully compatible. It should be considered a central element of this policy and process.

PROGRAMS THAT WORK

The total impact of 20 years of funding is significant. Some 200 communities have been helped. Grant recipients have published numerous studies that verify that appropriate recreation services enhance the lives of people with disabilities. In fact, recreation "motivated people [needing rehabilitation] to re-engage socially, physically, and emotionally," according to Dr. Charles Bullock, professor and chair of the Department of Health Ecology at the University of Nevada in Reno.

The University of North Carolina's Center for Recreation and Disability Studies used RSA assistance to examine the impact of therapeutic recreation on individuals with disabilities in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Programs were developed for mild to moderately retarded students, individuals with brain injuries, and hospitalized individuals with disabilities. Recreation services increased independent decision-making and the ability to consider recreation options. Recreation also improved community living skills for individuals with brain injuries, decreasing their social isolation and depression.

UNC's community reintegration program for hospitalized persons with disabilities helped individuals attain independent functioning in their communities. This initiative was replicated in Tennessee, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Washington, Virginia, Missouri and North Dakota; and in Australia, Japan and South Korea.

Similarly, a school district and a therapeutic recreation agency in Cook County, Illinois used RSA funds to demonstrate the benefits of inclusion of people with disabilities in recreation programs typically available to people without disabilities. Local agencies trained staff on ways to support inclusion, and they now annually serve 500 "inclusion placements."

The Sports and Outdoor Assistive Recreation (SOAR) program in Laramie, Wyoming is using RSA funds to provide inclusive programs in nine communities through their Community Parks and Recreation Department. Program director Pat Casey observes that her department "is not talking about setting up new programs. We're taking existing programs and using technology and staff training to benefit all citizens." Programs include recreation for individuals with mental health problems as a means to reach socialization goals set by a local mental health clinic.

The Boise, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation partners with the city's Youth and Employment Program to enable participants with disabilities to "shadow" park and recreation staff to learn job skills. The department also provides opportunities to apply for employment. Program director Emily Wallace observes that grant funds helped develop and test new initiatives. "We took some risks based on parental feedback. We can fund programs, buy equipment and be more creative and innovative," she said. "We can go in new directions because the grant gives us flexibility."

San Francisco State University received funds to partner with the City and County of San Francisco Recreation and Park Department to place 60 youths in summer employment positions. Under the guidance of Dr. Virginia Jaquith, chair of the university's Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, over 300 recreation and park agency staff received sensitivity and program training to better serve people with disabilities. With their current RSA recreation grant, the university and recreation and parks department are alerting some 5,000 people with disabilities about community resources and increasing the vocational and social skills of about 500 persons with disabilities.

According to Dr. Candace Ashton-Shaeffer, assistant professor of recreation at the University of Florida and NTRS president, "the significant positive impact" of participation in recreation and sports for people with disabilities is well documented. "It increases mobility, independence, socialization, health management and community integration," she says. Ashton-Shaeffer also asserts that recreation prevents a decline in physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning among many people with disabilities.