Increasing Leisure Activity of Physically Disabled Retarded Persons through Modifying Resource Availability

The effects of altering the availability of leisure/recreational resources on the leisure behavior of 10 multihandicapped adolescents and adults were investigated in a state retardation center. Following baseline, a leisure room was provided for voluntary use of common recreational materials and equipment during a designated period during early evening hours. All residents demonstrated large increases in desirable leisure behavior while in the leisure room compared to baseline and times the resources were not available. Subsequent reversals to baseline conditions and reinstatement of leisure-room conditions replicated the results. In addition, providing the same leisure resources on the living ward was accompanied by increases in desirable leisure behavior although less than when provided in the leisure room. Examples of behaviors categorized as desirable and undesirable were socially validated through ratings by legal advocates of the residents. Results are discussed in light of legal and accreditation standards for providing leisure services for developmentally disabled persons.