Easter Seals' Progressive Mainstreaming Model: Options and Choices in Camping and Leisure Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities

Authors

  • Charles C. Bullock
  • Michael J. Mahon
  • LuAnne K. Welch

Keywords:

Self-determination, Options, Choice, Camping, Disability, Normalization

Abstract

After many years of operating successful camping programs, the Easter Seal Society of North Carolina, Inc. has embarked upon a radical departure from its traditional camping programs. The Society has closed its segregated camp which provided exemplary services for over 25 years to children and adults with physical and multiple disabilities. The Easter Seal ""camping" program, operated in the summer only, has been expanded to more of a year-round program which provides camping and leisure experiences throughout the year. This change in the service delivery system, called the Progressive Mainstreaming Model, guarantees camping and other community leisure services to individuals previously served in segregated settings, and enables Easter Seals to serve' more children and adults with disabilities in better ways at a lower cost. The Progressive Mainstreamillg Model offers three basic options: segregated, modified mainstream, and mainstream. The initial evaluation shows that the model encourages the maximum participation of campers in the least restrictive environment, and offers an expanded range of experiences in a larger number of geographic locations.

Issue

Section

Programming