Recreational activities provide a fun and inclusive way for students with disabilities to engage with their peers. These activities focus on lifelong participation rather than competition. Often they can be played and enjoyed individually, with partners, in teams, or as a large group. Examples include:
Cooperative games
Bowling
Swimming
Dance
Frisbee
Yard games (bocce ball, bags/corn hold, ladder golf, etc.)
Building Skills for Lifelong Participation
To help ensure meaningful participation it is important to teach both:
Skills related to the activity
Game strategies to enhance success
Learning these elements help all students, including those with disabilities to participate confidently in school and beyond.
Creating an Inclusive Environment
Recreational activities prioritize participation over winning, which promotes inclusivity. Additional modifications and adaptions can help increase inclusivity. These include:
Adjusting equipment
Modifying rules
Changing boundaries
Adapting the game's purpose based on student needs
Encouraging Respect and Participation
Just like in sports, it is important for all students to understand that meaningful inclusion is the goal for participation. This means:
Everyone has opportunities to contribute.
Students support and respect each other.
Encouraging others and having a positive environment.
By incorporating modifications, setting clear expectations, and promoting inclusivity, recreational activities provide students with disabilities the opportunity to engage with their peers while developing skills for a healthy and active lifestyle.