Dona wrote
>
> Isn't there a danger, tho, of perceiving leisure activities (e.g.
>sports, arts, chess, shuffleboard, pub-crawling, MOVING TO HONOLULU TO DRINK
>WINE ON THE LANAI!) as "things that disabled people do"--instead of *work*?
So whats so good about work? What value is participation in one's
communities and in the life of the community? That which so rarely occurs
in work environments. Anyway disabled people work in sheltered employment
don't they?
>Notice how many disabled-parking spots there are at shopping malls,
theatres, restaurants,
>libraries. . .and how FEW parking places are at businesses, Wall Street,
>Parliament, Congress, etc.
Yes...a little like non-disabled parking spots huh?
>Perhaps akin to the ways that black people are s'posed to have rhythm
>and/or be athletic...disabled people might be situated as 'hobbyists' or
>'special' athletes?
I have never heard that before in all my years of practice. But given a
vivid enough imagination?...I do however think that leisure service
providers are largely responsible for whats determined to be the 'disabled
market' in leisure and recreation. Despite the images that we see...a
disproportionate amount of people with disabilities do not have access to
any type of leisure activities. For every person in the Paralympics, there
are many, many other ordinary people missing out on the ground roots stuff
- just participating in what you enjoy.
Did you know that the principles of choice and 'relative freedom' and self
determination are all elemental themes associated with leisure. Coz it aint
leisure if you don't have them. Could just be the only sphere of life
where choice and self determination are allowed to occur for some?
>Which would have more disabled-parking spots: welfare offices or banks?
>Community centers or cruise lines?
Have to admit...Not many parking spots on cruise liners. lol
>
>Just a thought. Cultural and economic systems indicted yet again.
>
Cheers Dona thanks for the response
>
>Dona Avery
>(who's having trouble with sending email from the UK. Mark, can I change my
>username? I'm trying to use demon now...)
>
>
>
With best regards
Laurence Bathurst
University of Sydney
School of Occupation and Leisure Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
East Street (P.O. Box 170)
Lidcombe NSW 1825
Australia
Ph+ 61 2 9351 9509
Fax+ 61 2 9351 9166
E-mail [log in to unmask]
Note: This is the e-mail address for my home as well
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There is not one shred of evidence that supports the notion that life is
serious.
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