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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Pauline J. Kelzer, DrPH, Department of Nursing and Health Sciences, California State University Hayward, P. O. Box 1006, Alamo, CA 94507, 925-935-3753, pkelzer@csuhayward.edu and Mary-Ellen Pratt, BS, Graduate Program in Health Care Administration, Department of Public Administration, California State University Hayward, 1421 Chestnut Street, Alameda, CA 94501.
The public being served must have access to programs as well as participate in the planning and evaluation of programs. For the disabled public, participation at all levels is a key criterion for overall program success. In addition to formal program evaluations, it is essential to conduct consumer satisfaction surveys and use the results for decision-making.
A survey was conducted asking program participants in an adaptive winter sports center to assess program benefits. The center offers adaptive programs in snow sports (skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing), and offers year around programs in hiking, biking, camping, swimming, and kayaking. The survey questionnaire was administered to participants in the Tahoe Adaptive Ski School, a division of Disabled Sports, USA. A total of 80 respondents comprised the sample of participants representing the spectrum of disabled persons served in the Center.
Survey results are analyzed and presented in charts, and conclusions are drawn to reflect data trends. In general, results indicate disabled clients of all ages and all disabilities prefer more access and desire program expansion.
As with able-bodied persons, maintaining motivation to be physically active is a challenge to professionals serving disabled clients. The habit of sedentary living can be overcome by disabled persons. The survey results indicate strong levels of enthusiasm for outdoor activity. These findings are encouraging and demand we continue to provide physical activity programs that are needed and are heavily utilized by disabled persons.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Disability Studies, Physical Activity
Related Web page: www.dsusafw.org
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Disabled Sports, USA
Tahoe Adaptive Ski School
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Handout (.ppt format, 107.5 kb)