Adapted Physical Activity
Philosophy Paper In todays society one can argue that people with disabilities are incapable of physical activity. They could also argue that there is a rational justification as to why people with disabilities cannot do such a thing. Adapted Physical Activity is a cross-disciplinary profession which advocated the benefits of exercise and sport for personal growth amongst a person with a health, as well to improve social acceptance and opportunity. Having a physical disability is no different. There have been social constructs set up to exploit persons with medical conditions. This paper discusses my view on what APA is, what is disability, how to make adaptations for those with health conditions and how to advocate and provide services.
Adapted Physical Activity APA is defined as a cross-disciplinary body of knowledge directed toward the identification and solution of individual differences in physical activity. It is a service delivery profession and an academic field of study that …show more content…
supports an attitude of acceptance of individual differences, advocates access to active lifestyles and sport, and promotes innovation and cooperative service delivery programs and empowerment systems. Adapted physical activity includes, but is not limited to, physical education, sport, recreation, dance and creative arts, nutrition, medicine, and rehabilitation (IFAPA, 2004). This definition embodies everything I previously believed. Like the definition, I still strongly believe activities and specialist are in place to change perceptions that adaptations to fitness, sports and movement cause unfair or unnecessary advantages. In order for APA to be distinguishable, I, personally feel that there must a difference between what APA specialist, APE teachers and Therapeutic Recreation specialist do. APA specialist need to show their background knowledge in movement analysis, identifying problems in the psychomotor domain, developing instructional strategies for anyone in any setting (Hutzler & Sherrill,2007); otherwise their profession will get lost in the translation of CTR and APE teachers do. Recreational Therapy means a treatment service designed to rehabilitate a person’s level of functioning and independence in life activities, to promote health and wellness and decrease disability in life situations. APE teachers is conceptualized as a school-based program of diversified activities (separate setting) for students who could not safely/successfully participate in the general PE program(Hutzler & Sherrill,2007).
Disability
Disability is a very broad term that is the mental, physical, or behavioral impairment that causes restrictions that are enhanced by a barrier. A barrier that is created by social control whether formal or informal. Depending on the language and social constructs used, disability can be defined. As stated before disabilities have to have some facts to be valid other wise it is just discrimination. There are so many diseases with multiple classifications that in order to be considered a disability a certain level must be hit.
Making Adaptations It has never been hard for me to make changes considering that it is the only thing constant in life. In order to survive we must adapt. It takes but a second to make something universal but the way people in this society act, you would think it takes a lifetime. Due to social norms, everything has a process and in order for things to change this process must be understood. Creating a solution that identifies the underlying problem without insulting people will be beneficial to the process. In the world of physical activity and persons with disabilities, the changes to make sure everyone can enjoy sports and physical activity are simple and accessible. The way to make sure changes among the disabled community happen is to overload the community with competitions, inclusive free play, educational seminars, and training sessions while the trend is hot. And I do not mean every four years when the Paralympics comes around or the weeks leading up to the Special Olympics.
Physical Activity Services Physical activity services should be provided by every institution and organization that offer physical activities. All schools or school districts should be offering programs for this population of people. In the Triangle area of North Carolina alone, there were about 2500 students with disabilities in middle and high school. Not a one service is provided outside of the occasional structured physical education class. Churches should also provide services for persons with disabilities. There should be at least one community center in every large city or small county that provides activities. All veteran hospitals should offer or partner with community programs to provide activities.
Most of all, therapist and practitioners should prescribe physical activity and sports to any persons with a health condition. Physical activity is cheaper, can be more fun and less repetitive than any therapy session ever could be. Advocating for physical activity could also enhance therapy sessions.
Conclusion
There is still a naive and unfamililarity about persons with disabilities and their abilitites.
The ICF model gives a detailed yet generalized framework on how to evaluate people with disabilities. It addresses the fact that there is a difference between health and disability. It also has a societal and psychological on the individual level aspect. I still do not believe one can have a disability without societies impact on what is and what is not acceptable. Without the health condition there would be no impairment, which means no limitation and without a functional limitation there is no disability. Disabilities group individuals together based off of limitations. Adapted physical activities especially sports groups those people together to exploit their limitations; which essentially enables them to be apart of the norm if only for an hour or two a day. The emotional possibilities are limitless when adapted physical activity is introduced into a persons
life.
References
Hutzler,Y. & Sheryl, C. (2007). Defining adapted physical activity: international perspective. ADAPTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY QUARTERLY, 24, 1-20.
International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA: 2004) By Laws. Online retrievable from http://www.ifapa.biz/imgs/uploads/PDF/IFAPA%20By-Laws.pdf
Adapted Physical Activity APA is defined as a cross-disciplinary body of knowledge directed toward the identification and solution of individual differences in physical activity. It is a service delivery profession and an academic field of study that …show more content…
supports an attitude of acceptance of individual differences, advocates access to active lifestyles and sport, and promotes innovation and cooperative service delivery programs and empowerment systems. Adapted physical activity includes, but is not limited to, physical education, sport, recreation, dance and creative arts, nutrition, medicine, and rehabilitation (IFAPA, 2004). This definition embodies everything I previously believed. Like the definition, I still strongly believe activities and specialist are in place to change perceptions that adaptations to fitness, sports and movement cause unfair or unnecessary advantages. In order for APA to be distinguishable, I, personally feel that there must a difference between what APA specialist, APE teachers and Therapeutic Recreation specialist do. APA specialist need to show their background knowledge in movement analysis, identifying problems in the psychomotor domain, developing instructional strategies for anyone in any setting (Hutzler & Sherrill,2007); otherwise their profession will get lost in the translation of CTR and APE teachers do. Recreational Therapy means a treatment service designed to rehabilitate a person’s level of functioning and independence in life activities, to promote health and wellness and decrease disability in life situations. APE teachers is conceptualized as a school-based program of diversified activities (separate setting) for students who could not safely/successfully participate in the general PE program(Hutzler & Sherrill,2007).
Disability
Disability is a very broad term that is the mental, physical, or behavioral impairment that causes restrictions that are enhanced by a barrier. A barrier that is created by social control whether formal or informal. Depending on the language and social constructs used, disability can be defined. As stated before disabilities have to have some facts to be valid other wise it is just discrimination. There are so many diseases with multiple classifications that in order to be considered a disability a certain level must be hit.
Making Adaptations It has never been hard for me to make changes considering that it is the only thing constant in life. In order to survive we must adapt. It takes but a second to make something universal but the way people in this society act, you would think it takes a lifetime. Due to social norms, everything has a process and in order for things to change this process must be understood. Creating a solution that identifies the underlying problem without insulting people will be beneficial to the process. In the world of physical activity and persons with disabilities, the changes to make sure everyone can enjoy sports and physical activity are simple and accessible. The way to make sure changes among the disabled community happen is to overload the community with competitions, inclusive free play, educational seminars, and training sessions while the trend is hot. And I do not mean every four years when the Paralympics comes around or the weeks leading up to the Special Olympics.
Physical Activity Services Physical activity services should be provided by every institution and organization that offer physical activities. All schools or school districts should be offering programs for this population of people. In the Triangle area of North Carolina alone, there were about 2500 students with disabilities in middle and high school. Not a one service is provided outside of the occasional structured physical education class. Churches should also provide services for persons with disabilities. There should be at least one community center in every large city or small county that provides activities. All veteran hospitals should offer or partner with community programs to provide activities.
Most of all, therapist and practitioners should prescribe physical activity and sports to any persons with a health condition. Physical activity is cheaper, can be more fun and less repetitive than any therapy session ever could be. Advocating for physical activity could also enhance therapy sessions.
Conclusion
There is still a naive and unfamililarity about persons with disabilities and their abilitites.
The ICF model gives a detailed yet generalized framework on how to evaluate people with disabilities. It addresses the fact that there is a difference between health and disability. It also has a societal and psychological on the individual level aspect. I still do not believe one can have a disability without societies impact on what is and what is not acceptable. Without the health condition there would be no impairment, which means no limitation and without a functional limitation there is no disability. Disabilities group individuals together based off of limitations. Adapted physical activities especially sports groups those people together to exploit their limitations; which essentially enables them to be apart of the norm if only for an hour or two a day. The emotional possibilities are limitless when adapted physical activity is introduced into a persons
life.
References
Hutzler,Y. & Sheryl, C. (2007). Defining adapted physical activity: international perspective. ADAPTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY QUARTERLY, 24, 1-20.
International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA: 2004) By Laws. Online retrievable from http://www.ifapa.biz/imgs/uploads/PDF/IFAPA%20By-Laws.pdf