INTRODUCTION: Despite the benefits of outdoor pursuits, people with disabilities engage in recreation less frequently and with less variety when compared to able-bodied peers. Waypoint Adventure, a non-profit organization, facilitates outdoor adventure programs for adults and youth with a range of disabilities. The organization is revising its program evaluation process to document outcomes that are meaningful to participants and communicate the benefits of programs to funders and other stakeholders. OBJECTIVE: Utilize principles of Universal Design for Learning and activity analysis to create and implement a program evaluation process that is accessible and feasible for use by an adaptive recreation organization. ACTIVITIES: A needs assessment was conducted to identify outcomes, stakeholders, and current program evaluation processes. Drawing upon evidence regarding cognitive accessibility design features, an accessible survey was created to measure participant outcomes. Data from cognitive interviews was used to revise the survey to address accessibility and increase response rates. Additional products include a Program Evaluation Manual, Program Evaluation Kit, and two surveys to elicit perspectives from parents and teachers. OUTCOMES: The new program evaluation process was pilot tested over a one-month period. During 18 outdoor programs, 79 survey responses were collected, representing 61% of all participants. Staff satisfaction with the program evaluation process improved in all dimensions measured. CONCLUSION: Integrating principles of Universal Design for Learning and activity analysis was an effective approach to improve the accessibility and efficacy of program evaluation for an adaptive recreation organization.

Adaptive sports programs (ASPs) are important for enhancing the physical, psychological, and social aspects of life for amputee combat veterans while reducing the risk of depression and anger. Although the role of ASPs in improving quality of life (QoL) has been researched in relation to amputee combat veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, there has been limited examination of the role of ASPs in improving QoL among veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation Noble Eagle (OND). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effects of ASPs on the QoL of amputee veterans of OEF, OIF, and OND using logistic regression as well as 3 surveys assessing QoL and life satisfaction in combat veterans who suffered traumatic amputations between 2003 and 2013. The dependent and independent variables included psychosocial and behavioral factors for those amputees who participated in an ASP versus those amputees who did not. There was a statistically significant association (ï?£2(4) = 13.44, p < 0.003) between gender and perception of overall health. Likewise, there was a statistically significant association (ï?£2(2) = 15.63, p < 0.000) between enjoying life and having a meaningful life and participation in an ASP. The findings indicate that participation in ASPs may help improve QoL and overall health for amputee veterans. Public health programs and policies aimed at improving the overall health and wellbeing of amputee veterans should consider ASPs as essential therapeutic interventions for promoting health in amputee veteran populations.

В первой главе были рассмотрены концептуальные подходы к изучению адаптивной физической культуры и спорта. Автором были определены основные цели, задачи и принципы адаптивной физической культуры и спорта. Вторая глава посвящена проблеме развития адаптивной физической культуры посредством государственно-частного партнёрства. В ходе эмпирического исследования были выработаны актуальные сценарии решения проблем в развитии региональных и муниципальных программ адаптивной физической культуры и спорта. / In the first chapter, conceptual approaches to the study of adaptive physical culture and sports were considered. The author defined the main goals, objectives and principles of adaptive physical culture and sports. The second chapter is devoted to the problem of the development of adaptive physical culture through public-private partnership. During the empirical research, relevant scenarios for solving problems in the development of regional and municipal programs of adaptive physical culture and sports were developed.