What is a primary objective of the ATRA?

The primary objective of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) is to enhance public awareness and support for therapeutic recreation. This objective underscores the importance of promoting understanding of the benefits and value of therapeutic recreation services among various stakeholders, including the general public, healthcare professionals, and policy makers. By increasing awareness, ATRA aims to ensure that people understand the positive impact that therapeutic recreation can have on individuals with disabilities and other challenges, thus fostering greater support for these services.

This objective is central to ATRA's mission, as it not only aids in the professional development of recreational therapists but also advocates for policies and practices that improve access to therapeutic recreation services across all populations. Enhancing public awareness can lead to better funding, resources, and acceptance of therapeutic recreation as a valuable component of health and wellness.

Other options do not align with the core aims of the ATRA. For instance, decreasing accessibility contradicts the fundamental goals of promoting inclusive and supportive environments for individuals needing these services. Focusing solely on recreational services for children ignores the broad spectrum of populations served by therapeutic recreation, which includes individuals of all ages with various disabilities. Similarly, an emphasis solely on competitive sports limits the understanding of therapeutic recreation, which encompasses a wide range of activities and therapeutic interventions