Mary Mette, a graduate of Western Illinois University, is Superintendent of Recreation for the North Suburban Special Recreation Association. Daria Kay is Superintendent of Recreation, the Northwest Special Recreation Association, and a 1974 graduate of the University of Illinois. Judy Jacobson, also a University of Illinois graduate, serves as Superintendent of Recreation for the Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation.

PAST

A little more than 10 years ago, park districts recognized as they continued to grow in their services to "normal" individuals that they were failing to completely meet the leisure needs of their special population clients. Committed to the idea that individuals have the need and the right to make productive and enjoyable use of their leisure time within their own communities, the search began for the best way for park disticts to provide recreation to special populations.

Through combining resources and special population clients, the park districts' desire to offer programs for handicappers as an extension of the park districts' services could be realized. The specific challenge was to provide special populations a program of recreation comparable in diversity, frequency, and quality to that offered the general public. As a result of this concern, and with the assistance of legislation designed to meet these needs, special recreation associations were formed.

PRESENT

From the initial development of the concept of special recreation associations until the present time, there has been a rapid and continual growth in the acceptance of this concept. Presently there are 14 special recreation associations in Illinois, providing programming services to approximately 75 communities and literally thousands of individuals. Outside of Illinois a special recreation cooperative has recently been implemented in Michigan, and other states have expressed interest in formation of similar associations.

Special recreation associations provide a wide range of leisure time activities modified and individualized as needed. Programs encompass individual and team sports and games, instructional, cultural, and social activities, special events, leisure education, adventure playgrounds, day camps and overnight camping, organized vacations and Outward Bound trips. The scope of programming continues to grow and includes weekday, evening, weekend and week-long experiences.

Programs are offered for individuals with any kind of temporary or permanent mental or physical handicap; irrespective of age. Special recreation and leisure services are available for individuals with any limiting condition whose needs cannot be adequately met in their own park district general programs.

Populations served include infants, toddlers, children, teens, adults, and seniors with special needs. Some disabilities common to the clients are hearing, visual, and orthopedic impairments, emotional disturbance, behavior disorders, and learning disabilities. Also served are retarded individuals, ranging from the mild to the severe, and those who are multiply handicapped.

PHILOSOPHY

The three agencies consulted for input to this article — Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation, Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association, and Northwest Special Recreation Association — share some common philosophical perspectives. These associations were the first three agencies organized and have been in existence between six and ten years. It is generally agreed that although each special recreation association may have differing practices and philosophies, all agencies through the provision of recreation programs and activities for the handicapped are providing opportunities for leisure enjoyment, relaxation, increased social contact, development of skills, exposure to lifetime recreational outlets, familiarization with proper usage of facilities and resources in the community, and improved physical and mental health.

The basic theory is that through proper use of leisure time under qualified leadership and supervision, all individuals with special needs will develop as a very special part of the community, and as enriched human beings. As associations continue to program recreational activities within the community setting, they continue to educate the public to the handicapped and their needs, in itself an important priority.

CURRENT PROBLEMS

In providing the above listed activities, and in serving diversified groups and communities, a variety of problems arise: The first is that of duplication. Whenever possible,

Illinois Parks and Recreation 20 January/February, 1980

an effort is made not to duplicate any existing recreation programs offered by other service groups. However, duplication is sometimes necessary within association program offerings due to the large geographical area and the need for separation of different handicapped individuals. As associations try to decrease the inconvenience to the participant and their family, travel time for staff is increased. Staff is forced to spend additional time and effort in either providing transportation for the program participants or in driving their own cars between programs.

The joining together of programs for low incidence handicaps such as the hearing impaired, visually impaired, or physically handicapped through combining of programs between special recreation associations offers each separate handicap group a better program but further increases travel distance for both staff and participants. Although efforts to provide as much convenience as possible for the participants are being made, it is a reality that special recreation association programs will never be as convenient as those of local park districts.

A second area of concern is that of staff. Dedicated staff are needed who are qualified and interested in working with all special populations, as comprehensive services for handicappers are in immediate demand. However, there are many inherent difficulties that make special demands on individuals who choose to work in associations. Special recreation association staffs contend with problems which arise from the fact that the associations do not own their own buildings, busses, or recreational facilities. This necessitates the ongoing ability to be familiar with and communicate with staff members of many different schools, parks, and other facilities. At times programs for the handicapped are not a priority in scheduling and it takes a great deal of time and effort by association staff to develop successful cooperation.

Although substantial progress has been made in the area of public awareness, understanding, and acceptance in general, these still remain a critical concern for staff.

The staff, in effect, is the liaison between recreation for special populations and for the general public, and this role demands constant effort, expertise, and attention.

Special recreation associations' boards are appointed rather than elected. In very few cases are mentally and physically handicapped individuals directly represented. This system can create communication problems concerning the needs of the individuals to be served. The board relies heavily on staff input for the direction of the association and perhaps cannot identify as closely with the needs of special populations as can park commissioners who, as representatives of the local population, may be able to identify with the needs of the non-handicapped members of the community.

".. .students.. .are not being prepared adequately to work in community settings."

Still another area of concern is that students at the present time are not being prepared adequately to work in community settings. This is in part due to the newness of special recreation associations and in part to differing philosophies in therapeutic recreation curricula at colleges and universities. This relates also to an internal problem of inconsistency: while special recreation associations all believe in the necessity for full-time staff, some believe in strictly full-time generalists who can work with many or all handicaps in a wide range of programs, while others prefer to hire specialists to work in only a few areas covering certain specialty areas of programming. These inconsistencies result in problems in recruitment and training of staff.

Another problem facing all special recreation associations is the "burn out" issue. Staff members work extremely long hours for moderate pay. They continually need to "shift gears" from programming for one disability to the next, and are constantly faced with the previously noted demands placed on them by the public. As noted, transportation is often an area of frustration.

There are also many financial concerns. Administrators may wish to raise staff salaries but at the same time may have limited financial capabilities. Tickets that once were donated "for the handicapped" are harder to come by, and volunteers to assist in programs are becoming fewer. Part-time staff need a commitment of a certain number of hours or financially it is not worth it for them. Facilities that used to be free are now feeling the inflation crunch and are charging. If fees for programs are increased, more scholarships are needed.

Special recreation associations are by law locked into a millage rate of .02 per $100.00 of assessed valuation, and this creates much concern. If more services are offered, there is a corresponding increase in the number of staff, amount of supplies, and expenditures for facilities and transportation that may be impossible to handle under the millage restrictions.

In certain areas educators are now offering recreation programs within the school system to the general public. In time, driven by the mandates of PL94-142, they may expand their services to the handicapped. However, educators are trained to educate, not instruct recreation or leisure activities. Thus, increasing service needs may not be met by truly effective programming.

This problem is not restricted to educators. In some instances general recreators with no specific experience, education or training are instructing the handicapped. Examples of serious problems which have resulted include the situation in which children with handicaps have entered a program for the general public and have been rejected due to inappropriate behavior, or an inability to maintain needed skill levels or develop positive social relationships. The handicapped client is sometimes being subjected to negative leisure experiences simply because the required special attention is not available. This may result in client or parental avoidance of recreation services that are useful and potentially enjoyable for the handicapped consumer.

(Editor's Note: Due to the length and importance of this article, it will be concluded in the March/April issue.)

Illinois Parks and Recreation 21 January/February, 1980