The RERC on Power of Play for People with Disabilities serves to expand access to and promote use of regular/consistent physical activity, sports participation, and active recreation for persons with disabilities (PwD) through research and development of novel technologies, advanced training and educational techniques, and dissemination strategies. The long-term strategy of this RERC is to remove barriers to participation in recreational, exercise, and adaptive sports often encountered by persons with disabilities, with particular emphasis on equity of access among underserved communities.   Our objectives are clear and consistent with the priorities of RERC as we target the domains of community living and participation and health and function of persons with disabilities through research and development of novel recreational technologies, health related products and equipment, and advanced training and educational techniques. Power of Play will specifically address: 1) inclusivity; 2) Incorporating proven and emerging technologies and strategies; and 3) making adaptive sports and recreation equipment safe, available, affordable, and reliable to children, adolescents and underserved people.

To achieve the mission, the RERC will take full advantage of the capacity, experience, and multidisciplinary collaborations among researchers at University of Pittsburgh and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as well as health system and community partners serving people with disabilities. The RERC will conduct research and development projects as well as training and dissemination efforts that are responsive to the RERC priorities to support successful expansion of regular/consistent physical activity, sports participation, and active recreation for persons with disabilities.