Virtual Education: Breaking Disability Stigmas in Recreation Programs

February 4, 2025 | 1:00 - 2:30 PM ET | 0.1 CEUs 
Breaking Disability Stigmas in Recreation Programs
Thera Johnson, Recreation Therapist, Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces
Alex De La Campa, Recreation and Inclusion Specialist, Miami-Dade Co Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces
Disability stigmas are negative thoughts and actions that create barriers for inclusive recreation for all. This session will help attendees understand how our thoughts, actions and understanding of disability affect our interactions with people of varying disabilities. Learning how to develop positive interactions others’ emotional intelligence will also yield improved social cohesiveness and satisfaction among employees or clients served.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES::

• Learn common disability stigmas that create barriers to recreation participation.
• Learn strategies to build positive thoughts, ideas, and perceptions among employees and clients served for all people regardless of ability.
• Create a plan of action for breaking disability stigmas in recreation within your community.

About Thera: Thera Johnson is a graduate of Florida International University Recreation Therapy Bachelor’s degree program. As a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) Thera began her career at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center working within an Acute Rehabilitation Facility with patients recovering from various disabling conditions with whom she provided physical, cognitive, and social recreational therapeutic interventions as well as community reintegration activities. Throughout her clinical employment Thera was enrolled full time at the University of West Florida where she earned her Masters degree in Public Administration. In 2013 Thera made a career decision to return to her first love, community based Recreational Therapy and has been employed with Miami Dade Parks and Recreation Therapeutic Recreation and Inclusion department.
About Alex: Alex De La Campa is a graduate of Florida International University’s Recreation and Sport Management, Recreational Therapy Bachelor’s degree program and a candidate for the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) designation.  As a student Alex completed his Recreational Therapy 560 hour internship in the Therapeutic Recreation & Inclusion Division within Miami Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces ( MDPROS-TRI) and became an employee  in 2019. He initially worked with adults who have various disabilities at the MDPROS-TRI Leisure Access Center Adult Day Training program and provided different community based therapeutic recreation opportunities focusing on educational, recreational, and social domains.  In 2022 Alex was promoted to the Recreation & Inclusion Specialist position. He currently supervises the afterschool program for children with disabilities, provides different Adaptive Sports opportunities for Veterans with special needs, and is the Assistant Coach for the Miami Heat Wheels Wheelchair Basketball team.