The Mission of the Center for Recreation and Disability Studies is to design and conduct exemplary research, training, and demonstration projects in the areas of recreation and disability. All projects focus on consumer-driven services and supports for the improvement of professional practice and the provision of the best possible recreation, rehabilitation, and recovery services to persons with disabilities. To carry out this mission, the Center brings together creative, innovative, and forward-thinking professionals from recreation, therapeutic recreation, and related disciplines.     CURRENT PROJECTS     Project Options was developed in response to the findings that significant numbers of Thomas S class members (persons with mental retardation and mental illness) report minimal or no involvement in work or day programs, and that many persons with severe disabilities have significant difficulty achieving an inclusive role in their communities. The project compiled indicators of exemplary day and socialization service options with a recreation and education focus, identified service and support models, and disseminated best practice guidelines to a variety of audiences. The project is now providing technical assistance to selected area programs to increase opportunities for day and socialization options.     Funding Source: North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, Thomas S. Services.      Supported Living Team provides services and supports to Thomas S class members assisting them with living successfully in the community. The Therapeutic Recreation Specialist provides an array of services including individualized assessment, service planning, skill development, educational groups, staff training, and liaison to community providers.     Funding Source: Wake County Human Services      Office on Disability and Health, a collaborative effort of several UNC-CH and state government departments, is charged with developing a North Carolina plan for the prevention of secondary conditions for persons with disabilities. The purpose of the plan is to promote health, well-being, and quality of life and to enhance the physical and social environments of citizens with disabilities. CRDS is involved with recreation’s contributions to health promotion, physical fitness, and wellness.      Funding Source: Frank Porter Graham Center

Peer Education and Advocacy through Recreation and Leadership (PEARL) is an innovative research and demonstration project that trains and supports persons with mental illness to serve as recreation advocates for their peers. Advocates participate in 36 hours of training sessions over the course of 6 months, learning skills related to activity planning, communication, problem-solving, leadership, and community education. Following the completion of the group training, advocates provide services to their peers at a variety of community psychosocial rehabilitation programs. Advocates are able to address personal rehabilitation goals and assist in the recovery of their peers. Enhancing participation of persons with mental illness in communities of their choice will contribute to correcting myths and stereotypes that are often barriers to true inclusion.    Funding Source: US Dept. of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration    Recreation in Supported Employment assists persons with developmental disabilities to increase the skills they need to be able to participate successfully in existing, inclusive community recreation opportunities. Through leisure education and expanded community skills training, participants will acquire specific community living skills, develop strategies for community participation, and make connections to natural supports. The project will demonstrate the role of recreation in the rehabilitation process and the contributions recreation makes in reinforcing work skills and in enhancing job satisfaction and maintenance. The project will also train employment specialists to focus on recreation during the long term follow-up phase of supported employment.    Funding Source: US Dept. of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration    Supported Retirement Services is developing, implementing and evaluating services and supports to assist older adults with developmental disabilities in preparing for retirement from employment programs. Families, friends and direct care staff will receive training and assistance with supporting retirees involvement in self-determined recreation opportunities. As a result of increasing the community’s capacity to meet the needs of these consumers in generic services, it is anticipated that a number of adults with developmental disabilities on the waiting list will receive employment services.     Funding Source: Wake County Human Services