Brooke Wormsbacher
Research Mentor: Christopher Samp
Mentor Department: City of Detroit Office of Disability Affairs, NonUM
Author(s): Brooke Wormsbacher, Christopher Samp, Jonatan Martinez
Session: Session 6 (3:00 PM – 3:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Poster 137
Abstract
In Detroit, most residents with disabilities are unable to participate in recreational activities due to various accessibility barriers. In Detroit, some residents with disabilities face access barriers that limit their ability to participate in recreational activities. These accessibility challenges reduce opportunities for physical activity, which can negatively impact residents’ mental health and well-being. These recreation spaces allow residents to find their own sense of belonging and community. It is essential to provide residents with the resources they need to fully participate in recreational activities, creating an inclusive space for all residents. The Detroit Office of Disability Affairs is committed to increasing accessibility among residents. To better understand where improvements can be made in Detroit’s adaptive recreation programs, we examined programming across Detroit’s 15 recreation centers, focusing on staff disability awareness training and adaptive recreation program offerings. The City of Detroit currently offers several adaptive recreation opportunities outside of its recreation centers. To increase accessibility of these opportunities, we compiled information on current adaptive recreation opportunities the city offers outside of its recreation centers into a draft for a webpage. This includes information on playgrounds, trails, beaches, and more. In the future, this project’s data will be used to provide recommendations to leadership and expand on recreational staff disability at Detroit’s recreation centers. The draft webpage created will be used to inform a website where residents can find information on adaptive recreation opportunities. This project brings attention to structural and informational barriers regarding adaptive recreation in Detroit, and supports the development of more inclusive recreation by improving access to information about current and future adaptive recreation opportunities. By bringing awareness to the limited adaptive recreation programs offered by Detroit’s recreation centers, this project’s data may contribute to the creation of additional adaptive recreation programs for Detroit residents.
