GLOBAL VISION PROJECT: Global Vision of Rehabilitation
and Recreation for People with Disabilities in the 21st Century

RESOLUTIONS:
"1981 Resolution Calling for Attention to Recreation Development as Part of International Rehabilitation of Disabled Charter for 1980s Activities"
By Special Recreation for disABLED International

WHEREAS, 10 percent or more of national populations are disabled and from infants to seniors are denied equal opportunity in play and recreation because of prejudice, lack of access, and the absence of special play and recreation services; and,

WHEREAS, recreation is the fifth dimension of total rehabilitation, that is, the educational, medical, recreational, social, and vocational dimensions of rehabilitation; and,

WHEREAS, recreation is a basic aspect of community living and quality of life for people with disabilities and is an essential aspect of rehabilitation planning for the individual to function in community, education, employment, family, housing, nutrition, recreation, security, and transportation; and,

WHEREAS, people who are institutionalized suffer the debilitating effects of enforced idleness and play and recreation deprivation, special play and recreation become primary means of performing worthwhile activities, achieving personal satisfaction and attaining treatment and rehabilitation goals; and,

WHEREAS, globally many people with disability obtain only marginal work and many are unemployed in a labor market not expected to improve, but to worsen during the 1990s causing empty lives and making recreation a primary means of achieving personal satisfaction; and,

WHEREAS, recreation is a human need, a universal right, and a human aspiration regardless of age, ethnic heritage, nationality, religion, sex, or disability caused by illness or injury; and,

WHEREAS, national rehabilitation organizations, both governmental and voluntary, through the International Rehabilitation of Disabled Charter for the 1980s are providing guidance on expansion of existing rehabilitation programs, the creation of new programs, the development of positive attitudes toward disabled, and the achievement of the highest potential of people with disabilities in rehabilitation and community living; and,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Special Recreation for disABLED International encourages all international organizations interested in advancing the status of people with disabilities to lend support to the development of play and recreation national and community-based activities, programs and services that will enhance the likelihood of people with disabilities of meeting individual needs, treatment and rehabilitation needs, human and civil rights, and personal aspiration goals; and,

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this resolution shall be sent to all United Nations organizations and UN Specialized Agencies that deal with rehabilitation of people with disabilities, to Members of the Conference of Organizations Interested in the Handicapped, and to regional and national organizations serving disabled people; and,

THAT Special Recreation for disABLED International through its International Center on Special Recreation shall offer these organizations and agencies technical advice on the development of international, regional, national, state or province, or community play and special recreation services.

ADOPTED MAY 5, 1981, Board of Directors
Special Recreation for disABLED International
[Website Secretariat/Clearinghouse]
Prof. John A. Nesbitt, Ed.D., CTRS, Pres/CEO,
362 Koser Avenue, Iowa City, Iowa 52246-3038 USA.
TELEPHONE 319/337-7578 --- FAX Available on Request
EMAIL john-nesbitt@uiowa.edu --- WEBSITE http://www.jccniowa.org/~recdsabl
N.B.: All communications by EMAIL; All information on WEBSITE, only.

GLOBAL VISION PROJECT: Global Vision of Rehabilitation and
Recreation for People with Disabilities in the 21st Century
A Joint Project by
Disability International Foundation AND
Special Recreation for disABLED International

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