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ACTION ALERT

Rehab Services Administration (RSA) recreation
program grants increase requested
July 1, 2001

To All ATRA Members,

The Alliance for Disability Recreation and Sport, of which ATRA is a member, has initiated a legislative request for an additional $2.5 million for the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) of the Department of Education to expand its competitive Recreational Programs for People with Disabilities grant. Our hope is that the funding for RSA will be the first step along the road to a coordinated effort at the federal level to direct more resources toward programs and research that demonstrate the effectiveness of recreation and physical activity in increasing mobility, independence, and employability of people with disabilities.

To reach those Members of Congress whom the Alliance believes can be helpful to this effort, we are asking ATRA members to write letters and make phone calls to your Members of Congress in support of the Alliance initiative. We need letters and follow-up calls to go into these offices before Congressional consideration in September 2001. Attached is a sample letter you could use to communicate the support of your organization to your Member of Congress. If you find a Member of Congress from your state, please produce a letter such as the one provided on professional letterhead if you have it (if there is no letterhead, feel free to use personal paper). Send the letter to your Member of Congress, and please send a copy of your letter to the ATRA National Office by fax or email, at (703) 683-9431 or national@atra-tr.org.

Please follow-up your letters with a phone call using the attached talking points to guide your conversation. Encourage your colleagues to write and make phone calls as well.

We thank you for taking the time to help out. Without the active involvement of advocates like you, the Alliance for Disability Recreation and Sport would not be able to help advance federal interest in disability recreation and sport issues. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact the ATRA National Office at (703) 683-9420. Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Ann D. Huston, MPA, CTRS
Executive Director, ATRA

Background
The Alliance for Disability Recreation and Sport represents several national, non-profit organizations whose missions include promoting recreation and sport for people with disabilities. Given the tremendous economic, social, physical, and psychological benefits of recreation, the Alliance is urging Congress to consider an increase in funding for this program. Congress has recognized that people with disabilities face significant barriers to recreation, sport, and wellness and that access to these opportunities are more critical to people with disabilities than those without disabilities. Amendments to Title III of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, created the recreational programs for people with disabilities (section 305) to address this need. Recreational programs for people with disabilities, as administered by the RSA, are the sole source of federal assistance for community-based programming. Under current funding levels, eight or nine grantees each year are in a position to offer such recreational opportunities, yet there are 54 million people with disabilities in this country.

- Sample letter

- Talking Points for Support of RSA Recreational Program Funding