Date of Publication

Spring 2013

Document Type

Undergraduate Project

Professor's Name

Katharine Burakowski


We live in a country where people, including the handicapped are guaranteed many rights and freedoms. The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) ensures that equal opportunities are provided to people with disabilities. There is a large percentage of children in the United States with disabilities. These mental or physical disabilities impair their major life activities. Research shows that both formal and informal activities have proven to be beneficial to children with disabilities. The purpose of Parks and Recreation Departments is to provide physical and non-physical activities to people in the community. A survey of Directors of Parks and Recreation departments will determine if there are sufficient Parks and Recreation programs currently available for children with disabilities in the New York State counties of Monroe and Ontario. If there are not sufficient programs, the study will attempt to determine why. This author believes that there are not sufficient programs due to insufficient funding, high cost of equipment and lack of trained staff.