It is very important for people, irrespective of their being normal or with disabilities, to have access to recreational activities. Unfortunately, people with certain disabilities have to come across certain hurdles in order to take advantage of the available recreational activities (Harris Survey, 1998).
There may be scores of reasons for this situation e.g., knowledge deficiency pertaining to the available facilities, unapproachable facilities, absence of proper guidance from the facilities providers, and absence of recreation paraphernalia that may be customized for the handicapped people.
A survey conducted on Americans suffering from disabilities suggested that almost 69% people suffering from some or the other disability felt that their disabilities thwarted their efforts of socializing (Harris Survey, 1998). It is even more appalling to note that people with disabilities, living in rural areas, face more of such hurdles (Rowley, 1999, p. 6).
Even the mindset of people in the society has been molded in a manner that they don’t visualize people with disabilities taking part in any recreational activities such as swimming, games, etc. But has anyone ever thought why it is so intricate for people with disabilities to involve themselves in recreational activities. Why is it that only a few instances can be found where customized recreational facilities are available for the disabled people?
Why can’t the people with disabilities choose their favorite recreational activities? Why do people with disabilities have to commute to distant places in order to avail their selective recreational activities? All these questions, and many more, demand answers from the society and the government.
It is estimated that, “Between 1990 and 2000, the number of Americans with disabilities increased 25 percent” (Disability Stats and Facts, 2012, para. 2). Another estimate claims that, “There are 36 million people who have at least one disability, about 12 percent of the total US population” (Latest US Disability Statistics and Facts, 2011, para. 4).
In order to minimize the sufferings or disadvantages of the people with disabilities, various steps are advisable. First of all, it is very crucial to spread general awareness about the available recreational resources and the advantages linked with taking part in the recreational activities. “An increase in awareness is often the first step to an increase in recreation participation” (About the North Carolina Recreation Resource Guide, n.d., para. 1).
It is observed that people with disabilities usually desist from taking part in such activities. The partaking rates of such people should be increased. It should be understood that simply increasing the partaking rates will not solve the problem. The recreational activities should be reachable to all and at all places (Participant Sports and Recreation Facilities, 2001, para. 22).
Even the number of customized recreational equipments should be increased so as to enable the people with disabilities to choose from. There should be certain guidelines for the recreation facility providers to impart proper and required information about the equipments.
Their objective should be to cater to the needs of the local people (Managing Facilities, 2008, para. 3). The society should also be more committed towards the sustenance of such projects.
This project will be executed by the ‘National Public Charitable Trust’ (NPCT). NPCT is a charitable organization engaged in the resurgence of the disabled people. NPCT has, in the past, made its presence felt in many developing countries. The trust has effectively executed various development ventures based on grants.
As an initial step towards starting the project, it is proposed that a community resource mapping will be conducted. On an average, 40 resources will be spotted in every community. The surveyors, from among the society, will gather the required data from the providers of recreational facilities. Such data will be compiled and used as a resource index by way of a website.
In accordance to the data, the required training will be provided to the providers. In addition to the awareness about disability, the training will also include information about the various acts pertaining to the disabled people.
After the completion of the training, such providers will be shortlisted who show commitment towards utilizing the funds provided to them, in the required manner. Such providers will also have to give an undertaking that they will keep on giving access to people with disabilities.
All the information pertaining to the community mapping, distribution of grant, available recreational facilities, and other details will be made accessible to people by installing a computer at each community centre.
The project director will be responsible for maintaining the budgetary requirements, hiring people, marketing the venture, preparing news articles, addressing the audience, arranging training schedules, organizing the various reports, and other things that might be required from time to time.
The remuneration for employees will be as follows:
Table 1: Salaries
In addition to the salaries, other expenses (for two years) are as under:
Table 2: Other expenses
References
About the North Carolina Recreation Resource Guide. Web.
Disability Stats and Facts. (2012). Web.
Harris Survey. (1998). Americans with disabilities still face sharp gaps in securing jobs, education, transport and in many areas of daily life. Web.
Latest US Disability Statistics and Facts. (2011). Web.
Managing Facilities. (2008). Web.
Participant Sports and Recreation Facilities. (2001). Web.
Rowley, T. (1999). Rural telecommunications: Why your community isn’t connected and what you can do about it. Web.