How Recreational Therapists with a Disability Perceive Their Current Workplace: Perception of Climate of Inclusion, Self-Advocacy, and Occupational Self-Efficacy

Authors

  • Melissa L. Zahl University of Utah
  • Aubrey Allen Adaptive Sports Arena in Bluffdale, Utah
  • Rhonda Nelson University of Utah
  • Bob Wong University of Utah

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2024-V58-I4-12412

Keywords:

climate of inclusion, disability employment, occupational self-efficacy, recreational therapy, self-advocacy

Abstract

High perceived levels of climate of inclusion, occupational self-efficacy, and self-advocacy skills in employees are beneficial to employers. Yet, it is unclear how recreational therapists with disabilities perceive their workplace's climate of inclusion as well as their own self-advocacy skills and occupational self-efficacy. Therefore, the purpose of this study was two-fold: (a) to investigate the extent to which Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRSs) with a disabling condition perceive climate of inclusion, self-advocacy, and occupational self-advocacy in their current workplace; and (b) to explore if there are associations between climate of inclusion, self-advocacy, and occupational self-efficacy in the workplace. A convenience sample of 77 CTRSs who identified as having a disability participated in this study. Results indicated that participants were neutral regarding the climate of inclusion at their current workplaces, are confident with their self-advocacy skills at work, and perceive their occupational self-efficacy levels to be fairly high. There are also positive associations between the three concepts of climate of inclusion, self-advocacy, and occupational self-efficacy. Future research is needed to better understand the neutrality recreational therapists with disabilities perceive of their workplace as well as to conduct more robust studies. 

 

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Published

2024-10-22

Issue

Vol. 58 No. 4 (2024)

Section

ATRA Annual

License

Sagamore Publishing LLC (hereinafter the “Copyright Owner”)

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