About CDARTA

The Cincinnati/Dayton Area Recreation Therapy Association (CDARTA), a non-profit, professional organization of certified therapeutic recreation specialists and persons/organizations who support recreation therapy services in Southern Ohio.

Objectives of CDARTA include:

To promote and advance the public awareness and understanding of the Recreation Therapy profession.
To develop and promote the adoption an implementation of professional standards for the delivery of Recreation Therapy service.
To serve as an advocate for Recreation Therapy services in the medical treatment, rehabilitation, habilitation, and education of individuals in need of Recreation Therapy.
To work with community agencies in the development of a continuum of Recreation Therapy services.
To conduct and support educational opportunities in order to improve the abilities of Recreation Therapy personnel to deliver quality services.

What is Recreation Therapy?

Recreational Therapy services are goal directed interventions that utilize various treatment modalities to promote the independent physical, cognitive, emotional and social functioning of persons disabled as a result of injury or illness, by enhancing current skills and facilitating the establishment of new skills for daily living and community functioning. Targeted recreational therapy interventions assist individuals in coping with the stress of illness and disability and prepare them for managing their disability so they may achieve and maintain optimal levels of independence, productivity, and well being. Depending upon the specific needs of the individual client, quality recreation therapy services may include the provision of recreational opportunity and physical activity (e.g. wheelchair sports, exercise and swimming programs) which allow individuals with disabilities mechanisms to prevent declines in physical, cognitive, social, and emotional health status, and therefore reduce the need for medical services.

Who is a qualified provider of recreational therapy services?

An individual who is a graduate of a baccalaureate degree program with a specialization in therapeutic recreation, that includes completion of an internship; and has demonstrated competence to practice as a therapeutic recreation specialist. The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) provides national certification. Many employers insist on hiring individuals with the professional certification designation, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). A few states regulate this profession through licensure, certification or regulation of titles.