Recreational Activities

Recreation has benefits for everyone—fun, relaxation, fitness, socialization, and more!

This page provides resources on topics such as

How to determine what children like to do
How to teach recreational activities to children who are deafblind
How to adapt activities, equipment, and settings to match a child's interests and capabilities

Many of the resources are by Lauren Lieberman—some with co-authors—who has been teaching and writing about recreation for individuals who are deafblind for many years.

A young boy sitting on a bike, sucking his thumb, and looking at a nature sign.

A girl standing on a dock. She is holding a white cane in her right hand and a fishing pole in her left.

The provision of a well-rounded physical education program with a variety of sports, games, fitness, and lifetime recreation can increase the variety of opportunities and choices for children with visual impairments or deafblindness and lead to an increase in their sense of self-determination. (Lieberman, 2013, p. 62)

Introductory Resources

External Resource
Foundational Skills: Teaching Children With Visual Impairments and Additional Disabilities [Lavelle Resources Video]
External Resource
Adapted PE for Students with Complex Access Needs Including Visual Impairment
Published in the Fall 2024 issue of TX SenseAbilities.
Factsheet
Recreation and Leisure
Strategies to promote recreation and set the stage for participation in recreational activities.
Slide Presentation
Learning Activity 4: Vitality
From OHOA Module "Transition to Adulthood and Community Living"
Article
Adapting Games, Sports, and Recreation for Children and Adults who are Deaf-Blind
Rules and considerations for adapting activities (includes examples).

Learn More

Instructional Resources and Videos from Camp Abilities
A webpage with a link to videos and tip sheets on sports and fitness activities.

Lavelle Resources for Children with Moderate and Severe Disabilities
Resources and tip sheets for assessing and supporting physical activity.

Possibilities: Recreational Experiences of Individuals who are Deafblind
A website highlighting the recreational and leisure pursuits of many individuals who are deafblind (American Printing House for the Blind).

Lieberman, L.J. (2002). Fitness for Individuals Who Are Visually Impaired or Deafblind. RE:view 34(1),13-23.

Reference

Lieberman, L. J., Ponchillia, P. E., & Ponchillia, S. V. (2013). Physical education and sports for people with visual impairments and deafblindness: Foundations of instruction. AFB Press.

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