Abstract
Individuals with disabilities are left out of recreational programs at a much higher rate than individuals with no disabilities. Seeking to rid barriers created by inaccessible recreational dance spaces, dance/movement therapy (DMT) offers a potential solution. This research explores how DMT can inspire a model for accessible recreational dance spaces for individuals with varying abilities, how this therapeutic practice can translate into a recreational dance atmosphere, and the role of social workers herein. The research takes the form of a content analysis via hermeneutic phenomenology of a six-week DMT-inspired pilot program developed by the researcher, and is informed by critical disability and structural social work theories. Findings highlight the parallels between DMT and recreational dance, making possible their fusion to create a space for ‘everyone and anyone’, and emphasize a social work presence. A logic model resulted, guiding how accessible recreational dance programs may be designed, based on DMT.
Highlights
Individuals with disabilities are left out of recreational programs and activities at a much higher rate than individuals with no disabilities, and the undesirable impacts of this on their health are well documented (Anderson, 2010; D’Eloia & Sibthorp, 2014; Heah, Case, McGuire, & Law, 2006; King, Law, King, Hurley, Hanna, Kertoy, & Rosenbaum, 2007; Tonkin, Ogilvie, Greenwood, Law, & Anaby, 2014)
This MRP explores the relationship between dance/movement therapy (DMT) and recreational dance, and how these two entities may come together to spark the creation of a new space where all bodies have the opportunity to dance
As recreational dance programs are often inaccessible to individuals with disabilities, and there is an absence of disabled presence in the dance world overall, I believe that DMT may be a point of access for individuals with disabilities into the accessible recreational dance realm
Summary
Individuals with disabilities are left out of recreational programs and activities at a much higher rate than individuals with no disabilities, and the undesirable impacts of this on their health are well documented (Anderson, 2010; D’Eloia & Sibthorp, 2014; Heah, Case, McGuire, & Law, 2006; King, Law, King, Hurley, Hanna, Kertoy, & Rosenbaum, 2007; Tonkin, Ogilvie, Greenwood, Law, & Anaby, 2014). Seeking to rid the multitude of barriers created by inaccessible recreational dance spaces in particular, a shift in focus to the practice of dance/movement therapy (DMT) offers a potential solution. This MRP explores the relationship between DMT and recreational dance, and how these two entities may come together to spark the creation of a new space where all bodies have the opportunity to dance. I strongly believe that critical social workers are needed in such spaces and have key roles to play in this process. This pas de trois of disability, dance, and social work is central to this study
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