Are You Interested in the Relationship Between Leisure and Disability?
Leisure and Disability Research Lab
Census data, national polls, and other studies have documented that people with disabilities, as a group, occupy an inferior status in our society. They are disadvantaged socially, vocationally, economically, and educationally, and, therefore, encounter significant barriers to leisure participation. Information is needed to inform leisure service providers about ways to meet the mandates of the Americans with Disabilities Act, models for inclusive leisure service provision, and strategies to empower individuals to experience meaningful and enjoyable leisure. Enhanced leisure participation can contribute to positive health outcomes and subsequently reduce health care costs. Therefore, we are interested in studying the complex relationship between leisure and the lives of individuals with disabilities, and contributing to the body of literature that improves our ability to create contexts that promote leisure for persons with disabling conditions.
Sample Research Projects - In Progress or Planned
- Effects of a leisure program on adults with autism spectrum disorder (Dattilo)
- Effects of a walking intervention of adults with osteoarthritis (Dattilo and Kelley)
Contributing Faculty
- Linda Caldwell
- lindac@psu.edu
- John Dattilo
- jxd8@psu.edu
- Shawna Doerksen
- sxd49@psu.edu
- Ben Hickerson
- bdh14@psu.edu
- Patty Kleban
- plk4@psu.edu
- Careen Yarnal
- cmy122@psu.edu