GREETINGS FROM THE
ASSOCIATION
The board of directors is pleased to provide you with a copy of our membership
handbook. This is the third edition of our membership handbook and we have included
information that will be useful to practitioners, students and supporting members. We are
always interested in suggestions on how to improve this handbook. After reviewing it, if
you have any suggestions please forward your comments to the NLTRA.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Therapeutic Recreation Association was founded in
1986 and was first known as the Recreation Workers and Activity Directors Association
(RWAD). With a name change in 1995, the NLTRA exists to promote and advance the
field of Therapeutic Recreation within the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Membership in the NLTRA is open to any individual employed in the field of
Therapeutic Recreation, students enrolled in therapeutic recreation and recreation
diploma or degree programs, and any individual, organization or agency interested in
supporting the field of Therapeutic Recreation.
For further information about the Newfoundland and Labrador Therapeutic Recreation
Association (NLTRA), please visit our website at www.nltra.ca
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Newfoundland and Labrador Therapeutic Recreation Association
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Board of Directors
President
President Elect
Secretary
Treasurer
Eastern Vice President
Central Vice President
Western Vice President
Student Vice President
Provincial Membership
Coordinator
Membership
Practitioners
Students
Supporting Members
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Newfoundland and Labrador Therapeutic Recreation Association
HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION
The history of therapeutic recreation within this province begins in the 1970’s when the
provision of recreation services in nursing homes and hospitals started. Throughout this
period a broader understanding of health (holistic) evolved and gained acceptance. Health
was the total well being of a person, physically, mentally and socially. Not merely the
absence of illness. Increasingly the public and healthcare administrators became aware
that all people have a need for and a right to recreation. Within this environment and
following national trends in the field of therapeutic recreation began to emerge. In 1982
the government of Newfoundland and Labrador through its pay and classification
division created the following positions: Recreation Therapy Worker I, II, III and
Recreation Development Specialist. Throughout the early 1980’s many homes and
hospitals within the province hired therapeutic recreation staff.
The need to form a provincial association representing practitioners in the field was
identified and in 1986 the Recreation Workers and Activity Directors Association
(RWAD) was incorporated. The founding members of the association were: Roy Bailey,
Maureen Goodyear, Janet Martin and Wally Oates. In 1986 the first Annual general
meeting was held and Maureen Goodyear was elected president. The RWAD became
recognized and affiliated with the Newfoundland Hospital Association in 1986. In 1989
the association adopted its first standards of practice and a code of ethics. In a 1995
survey of therapeutic recreation there were 131 practitioners working in the field.
In 1995, the RWAD changed its name to the Newfoundland and Labrador
Therapeutic Recreation Association.
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Newfoundland and Labrador Therapeutic Recreation Association
SCOPE OF SERVICE
The field of Therapeutic Recreation is unified by the belief that the ability to participate
in recreation and leisure activities is an essential component of quality of life. Our
purpose, therefore, is to facilitate the development of an appropriate leisure lifestyle for
individuals with impairments in order to enhance their health, well-being and quality of
life. As the field of Therapeutic Recreation continues to evolve and mature, we must
ensure that our practice is founded on concrete concepts, theories, and models of care.
We need to recognize the importance of having a comprehensive understanding of the
foundation on which our profession is built. With this in mind, the Leisure Ability Model
(Diagram 1) of Therapeutic Recreation Service Delivery provides us with a legitimate
framework for the delivery of Therapeutic Recreation Services. The three primary
components of this model are as follows:
1. Functional Intervention
2. Leisure Education
3. Recreation Participation
Functional Intervention
Functional Intervention services are goal-oriented and directed toward treatment,
rehabilitation and/or modification of specific physical, emotional, cognitive, and/or social
functional behaviors.
The ultimate outcome of intervention is to eliminate, significantly improve, or teach the
resident to adapt to existing functional limitations that hamper efforts to engage fully in
leisure pursuits.
A qualified Recreation Specialist provides services in order to assist a client to acquire the
necessary functional ability to engage in an appropriate leisure lifestyle. Under the
supervision of a Recreation Specialist, the Recreation Therapy Worker can assist with
treatment.
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Newfoundland and Labrador Therapeutic Recreation Association
Leisure Education
Leisure education services are goal-oriented and directed towards the development of
knowledge, attitudes, values, behaviors, skills and resources as they may relate to
independence in leisure and recreation participation.
Both the Recreation Specialist and Recreation Therapy Worker can provide leisure
education within their respective scopes of practice. Within this component, Therapeutic
Recreation staff act as educators, instructors, advisors and counselors.
Recreation Participation
Recreation participation services are designed to provide a variety of opportunities for
fun, enjoyment, and self-expression within an organized delivery system. These services
are directed towards optimizing a client’s involvement in meaningful leisure and
recreation opportunities.
Recreation participation opportunities are provided by the Recreation Therapy Worker
and Recreation Specialist within their respective scopes of practice
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Newfoundland and Labrador Therapeutic Recreation Association
Diagram 1 –Leisure Ability Model
Responsibility for Delivery of Interventions:
Functional Intervention: RS; with RTW involvement only under RS supervision.
Leisure Education: Both RS & RTW, within scope of practice.
Recreation Participation: Both RS & RTW deliver these services.
Newfoundland and Labrador Therapeutic Recreation Association
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Newfoundland and Labrador Therapeutic Recreation Association
MISSION STATEMENT
The Newfoundland and Labrador Therapeutic Recreation Association exists to address
the needs of therapeutic recreation practitioners, students, and supporting members in the
province of Newfoundland and Labrador in order to enhance the quality of services
provided to the people we serve.
GOALS OF THE ASSOCIATION
 Promoting and advocating for therapeutic recreation.
 Supporting continuing education and professional development.
 Developing Standards of Practice.
 Establishing effective communication networks between practitioners, students, and
supporting members.
 Networking with external groups.
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Newfoundland and Labrador Therapeutic Recreation Association
DEFINITION OF THERAPEUTIC RECREATION
Practiced in clinical, residential, and community settings, the profession of therapeutic
recreation uses treatment, education, and recreation services to help people with illnesses,
disabilities, and other conditions to develop and use their leisure in ways that enhance
their health, independence, and well-being.
PHILOSOPHY
The association and its members endorse the following philosophical statement:
The profession of Therapeutic Recreation believes in the intrinsic worth and dignity of
every human being and is committed to the value of acceptance, self-determination, and
respect of the individual. Members of the Therapeutic Recreation profession believe that
the social, spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical aspects of daily life are vital
parts of human existence. The profession of Therapeutic Recreation recognizes leisure,
recreation and play as integral components of quality of life. Therapeutic Recreation
interventions are directed towards treatment, leisure education and participation
opportunities. These interventions support the goal of assisting the individual to
maximize independence in leisure, optimal health and the highest possible quality of life.
Therapeutic Recreation believes that every individual has the right to the opportunity to
explore these aspects of human nature to their fullest potential.
Approved by NLTRA Board of Directors, November 30, 1998.
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Newfoundland and Labrador Therapeutic Recreation Association
NLTRA CODE OF ETHICS
The association and its members endorse and practice the following ethical principles:
I.
Professionals act with integrity, protecting and promoting commitment to their
service. Professionals act honestly through complete, accurate and clear communications.
They do not misrepresent themselves or the profession. Professionals maintain and
enhance their knowledge and skills through educational opportunities.
II.
Professionals are loyal and committed to the well-being of the individuals they
serve. They maintain privacy and confidentiality of the individual being served by
practicing informed consent.
III.
Professionals strive to provide quality service based on professional standards.
The purpose, results and implications of treatment practices are explained to the
individual, striving to maintain their safety and well-being in a client-centered approach.
IV.
Professionals practice mutual respect and work cooperatively for the benefit of
those they serve. They practice professional and moral conduct in dealing with ethical
issues. Professionals practice continued quality management to improve the profession’s
ability to serve society. Professionals seek to improve the profession’s body of
knowledge through ethical research and clinical teaching.
Reference Note: Adapted from Codes of Ethics from the following associations: National
Therapeutic Recreation Association American Therapeutic Recreation Association Alberta
Therapeutic Recreation Association Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association
Approved by NLTRA Board of Directors, on November 30, 1998.
Edited and Approved by NLTRA Board of Directors, October 20, 2004
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Newfoundland and Labrador Therapeutic Recreation Association
MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
PRACTITIONER:
Open to all individuals currently employed in the field of therapeutic recreation.
STUDENT:
Open to full and part-time students pursuing a diploma or degree in therapeutic
recreation, recreation or related field.
SUPPORTING MEMBER:
Open to all individuals not covered under other categories and who support the
mission of the association.
MEMBERSHIP YEAR
The membership year runs from October 1st – September 30th and fees are not prorated.
For further information, please refer to www.nltra.ca
CTRA MEMBERSHIP
The NLTRA and CTRA (Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association) have formed an
agreement which allows NLTRA members to purchase a CTRA membership for 50% off
the membership price. The NLTRA encourages its members to take advantage of this
agreement. For more information, please visit www.canadian-tr.org/Membership
PARTNERSHIPS
Partnerships are extremely important to improve access to resources, to share ideas and
produce creative responses to identified needs, and to make outcomes more achievable.
The NLTRA believes in the “strength in numbers” approach and for the last several years
have worked on creating partnerships with the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation
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Association (CTRA), Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador (RNL), and Therapeutic
Recreation Association of Atlantic Canada (TRAAC). The NLTRA looks forward to
strengthening these partnerships through collaboration, open communication, and
committee involvement.
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