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Copyright of Leisure/Loisir: Journal of the Canadian Association for Leisure Studies is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A lack of disability-specific knowledge among practitioners poses a significant barrier to physical activity (PA) participation for persons with physical disabilities (PWPDs). This study aimed to identify perceived training needs of health and fitness practitioners to support PA for PWPDs. Canadian health and fitness practitioners (n = 115; 81% female) completed an online survey. More specialized training and access to information about PA for PWPDs are needed. In-person training, webinars, and lived experiences of PWPDs are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the numerous benefits of physical activity (PA) participation, children and youth with physical disabilities (CYPD) are not active enough. Limited research has explored the PA preferences and attitudes of CYPD, which are critical to the design of effective community-based PA programs. To address this gap, this study examined the PA preferences and attitudes of CYPD (N = 38, mean age = 15 years, 54% male). Top PA preferences included: being active after school (39.5%), in a gymnasium setting (52.6%), at a moderate intensity (52.6%), and with close friends (65.8%). Participants reported high positive attitudes (M = 4.36 out of 5) toward PA. This study offers important findings for therapeutic recreation (TR) professionals to consider as they design, deliver, and assist children and youth to locate PA programs within their communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inclusion involves individuals with and without disabilities interacting together in various aspects of community life. Inclusive participation has received significant attention in areas of physical activity and recreation in community settings. Although the positive health outcomes, such as improved quality of life, increased physical fitness, enhanced social relationships, and increased appreciation for diversity have been well documented, barriers to community-based inclusion still exist. Negative societal attitudes related to disability and physical activity may continue to pose challenges to promoting messages of health and participation. Employing a qualitative case study method, we explored meaning of inclusion among community and staff members of an inclusive community recreation facility in Ontario, Canada. Study findings revealed that inclusion is a highly complex phenomenon, particularly when multiple perspectives among people with and without disabilities are taken into account. Social change is a process that builds over time and examining responses to inclusion plays a pivotal role to determine how to best promote and encourage participation in community recreation for individuals with and without disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]