WSU/VAC After School Recreation Program

2007

The motivation to conduct this study grew out of a need to address both the physical and psychological well-being of children with disabilities living in the city of Detroit. Regarding children with disabilities in general, serious issues related to physical health (obesity, unhealthy eating habits, etc.) have been identified over and over again. Children with disabilities also report, on average, lower levels of self-esteem, less confidence in social situations, fewer numbers of friends and less involvement in sports and recreational activities. Within the city of Detroit, these trends are amplified by a combination of a high number of children with disabilities as well as fewer opportunities to be involved in after-school sports and/or recreation. It has been found that involvement in sports and/or recreation programs helps children and adolescents with disabilities develop greater self-confidence. Participation in sports provides more opportunity for social interation and friendship making. Finaly, increased physical activity presents benefits for improved health and the development of motor skills. With the start of the Youth with Disabilities Pilot Program for children and adolescents, the current study wants to document the impact of the program upon the participants in the areas mentioned above. The primary goal of the current study is to examine the impact of the Youth with Disabilities Pilot Program upon the physical, social and emotional well-being of the children and adolescents with disabilities that will be participating. We aim to show that such programs are significantly beneficial to children and adolescents with and without disabilities. Another goal of the study is to look at the effectiveness of the WSU/VAC coaches and volunteers training as well as the coaches and volunteers' impressions of being involved with children and adolescents with disabilities in an inclusive sports and recreation program. The results of the current study will help us to improve the Youth with Disabilities Pilot Program by making any necessary changes that will better serve all participants. We also hope to use the results of the study to extend the length of the program past the initial year so that more individuals will be able to benefit from the program down the road.

Children, Disabilities, Recreation

Performing Research or Evaluation

Quality Assurance, Health-Related Activities, Recreation-Related Activities

Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN

Geographic Areas, Urban

Single-County

N/A