Valuing Diversity: Self Awareness

The following global ideas guide the design and delivery of this course:

Self Awareness

• identifies personal beliefs, attitudes, values, feelings and behaviours in understanding disability issues
• engages in self-reflection and self-awareness
• explores personal and professional values to therapeutic recreation practice

Phenomenological Perspective – compares and contrasts:

• differing perceptions of ability/disability
• an historical perspective, evolution of services
• the process of devaluation: segregation, institutionalization
• human rights: punishment, poverty, restrictions

System Theory

• developing an understanding of a holistic, ecological perspective
• socio-cultural, environmental, psychological factors
• compares and contrasts individual, family, community perspectives
• applies social systems to therapeutic recreation

Humanistic Perspective:  Therapeutic Relationships –

• describes and prioritizes a variety of strategies to contribute to self reliance, interdependence and quality of life
• building the helping relationship: values and therapeutic recreation
• pragmatism, competence, respect, genuineness
• helping clients develop self-efficacy
• supports client self-determination, dignity of risk, image enhancement

Community Recreation Integration/Inclusive practice

• engages in person-centred approach and leisure
• practices principle of empowerment: choice, participation, support, self-help
• identifies barriers to equal access: physical and psychological
• explores values, social roles and their implications for leisure
• understands integration: physical and social
• builds community: interdependence, relationships, friendships, diversity, belonging, acceptance
• supports advocacy awareness