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

ORGANIZATIONS:
"ATRA: American Therapeutic Recreation Association, Founded 1981, 4,500 Members, 25 Regional Groups, 5 Staff, and $650,000 Budget"

Compiled by Prof. John A. Nesbitt, Ed.D., CTRS, Pres./CEO
Special Recreation for disABLED International

Definition, Recreational Therapists. ATRA was founded in 1984 as a non-profit, grassroots professional membership organization. ATRA defines therapeutic recreation as "the provision of Treatment Services and the provision of Recreation Services to persons with illnesses or disabling conditions."

The primary purposes of Treatment Services, which are often referred to as Recreational Therapy, are to restore, remediate or rehabilitate in order to improve functioning and independence as well as reduce or eliminate the effects of illness or disability.

ATRA states that the primary purposes of Recreational Services are to provide recreation resources and opportunities in order to improve health and well being. Therapeutic recreation is provided by professionals who are trained and certified, registered and/or licensed to provide therapeutic recreation (1987).

Work Force. The ATRA cites the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 1998, as stating that there were approximately 38,000 "recreational therapists." The NCTRC has a roster of 17,170 "certified" recreation therapists. For the period 1996 to 2006 the U.S. BLR anticipated growth, in the specialization "because of anticipated expansion in long term care, physical and psychiatric rehabilitation and services for people with disabilities."

WEBSITE. The ATRA WEBSITE information includes:

Awards. Annual Fellow Professional Member of the Year.


ATRA Information: About ATRA, President's Message, History, By-Laws, Definition, Vision, Standards for TR, Code of Ethics, Paraprofessional Standards, Advertise.

The "Code of Ethics" principles for professional conduct cover:
PRINCIPLE 1: Beneficence/Non-Maleficence
PRINCIPLE 2: Autonomy
PRINCIPLE 3: Justice
PRINCIPLE 4: Fidelity
PRINCIPLE 5: Veracity/Informed Consent
PRINCIPLE 6: Confidentiality And Privacy
PRINCIPLE 7: Competence
PRINCIPLE 8: Compliance With Laws & Regulations, March 1990/Revised 1998

Book Store: Annual, Publications, and Library.

Professional Publications available through the American Therapeutic Recreation Association include:
__ATRA Annual in Therapeutic Recreation
__ATRA Journal; with American Association Leisure Recreation.
__ATRA Newsletter, bimonthly.
__ATRA Employment Update, monthly.
__Medications Guide
__Research in Therapeutic Recreation: Concepts and Methods
__Therapeutic Recreation - The First Steps to Reimbursement: An Overview
__Recreational Therapy: The Next Generation in Reimbursement
__ATRA Annual in Therapeutic Recreation, Volume VIII (1998/99)
__Quality Management: Applications for Therapeutic Recreation
__Standards for the Practice of Therapeutic Recreation & Self Assessment Guide
__Standards of Practice Addendum: Standards for Therapeutic Recreation Assistants
__Guidelines for Competency Assessment...: A Tool for Self Evaluation
__Recreational Therapy: A Viable Option in Rehabilitation
__Therapeutic Recreation Services (Booklet)
__Educational/Career Information Brochure
__Guidelines for Internships in Therapeutic Recreation
__Finding the Path: Ethics in Action

Chapter Affiliates: The "ATRA Chapter Affiliates" information includes: Chapter Affiliate Council Directory, Chapter Affiliate List, Chapter Affiliate Council Mission, Chapter Affiliate Council History, and Chapter Affiliate Grant Funding.


Committees: Education and Professional Development; Protocol; Quality Assurance; and, Standards of Practice.

Continuing Education: Annual Conference, Mid Year Forum, ATRA Academy, CEU Correspondence, CEU Planning Guide, CEU Description, Future Conferences, Exhibitors/Sponsorship, and Other Workshops

Employment/Careers: Employment Update, Career Information, Curriculum Guide, Occupational Outlook, and Liability Insurance.

"Curriculum Guide" includes: universities and community colleges offering Associate degrees, Masters degrees, Doctoral degrees, and distance learning.

"Career Information" includes: definition of therapeutic recreation; duties and responsibilities; education, training, and qualifications.

Leadership: President's Message, Board of Directors, Team Leaders, State Reps, Affiliate Council, Office of Conferences, and National Office.
Membership Benefits: Application, Sample Newsletter, Liability Insurance, and MBNA Credit Card.

MEMBERS ONLY INFORMATION: Treatment Networks, Newsletter, Conference Discounts, Publication Discounts, and Reimbursement Documents.

Meetings. ATRA holds a semiannual conference (exhibits), fall: Sept./Oct.; and, an annual symposium, Mar./spring.


Other: Net Etiquette, Privacy Policy, and Public Policy; and, Members Only,
What's New, Contact Us, and Site Index.

The "Net Etiquette" article by Ms. Sally Hambridge, Intel Corporation, is a general introduction for all new users of the internet and useful for review by experienced users.

Treatment Benefits: Cost Beneficial, RT: An Integral Aspect, Health Outcomes, Viable Option in Rehab, and RT: Advocacy.

"Cost Beneficial" includes:
__Recreation Therapy: A Cost Beneficial Option;
__Recreation Therapy: An Integral Aspect of Hospital Healthcare;
__Summary of Health Outcomes in Recreation Therapy;
__Recreation Therapy, Viable Option in Rehabilitation; and
__Recreation Therapy: Advocacy.

Treatment Networks: Aquatic Therapy, Developmental Disabilities, General Medicine, Gerontology, Mental Health/Addictions, Oncology, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Child/Adolescent, and School Systems.

CONTACT
ATRA: American Therapeutic Recreation Association
Ms. Ann D. Huston, Exec.Dir.
1414 Prince Street, Suite 204,
Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
TEL (703) 683-9420
FAX (703) 683-9431
EMAIL atra@atra-tr.org
WEBSITE http://www.atra-tr.org.
___

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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