American Therapeutic Recreation Association

American Therapeutic Recreation Association ATRA is the largest national membership organization representing the interests and needs of recreational therapists.

Recreational therapists are healthcare providers who use recreational therapy interventions for improved functioning of individuals with illness or disabling conditions. ATRA, was incorporated in the District of Columbia in 1984 as a non-profit, grassroots organization in response to growing concern about the dramatic changes in the healthcare industry.

ATRA ADVOCACY ACTION ALERT! 📣Take action to speak out against the lawsuit (Texas v. Kennedy) regarding Section 504 of t...
03/11/2026

ATRA ADVOCACY ACTION ALERT! 📣

Take action to speak out against the lawsuit (Texas v. Kennedy) regarding Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the integrated community setting requirements:

Nine states including Texas, Alaska, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, and South Dakota are part of a lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services. In the lawsuit Texas v. Kennedy, the states are challenging the 2024 update to Section 504 which includes the right to receive services in the person’s community rather than in an institution; a ban on discrimination due to disability in medical treatment decisions including organ transplants and in cases of limited resources/equipment; accessible medical equipment and websites; and requirements for reasonable accommodation and effective communication.

If you live in one of the nine states involved in the lawsuit, please contact your state attorney general and governor to express your concerns about the lawsuit and the impact it will have on individuals with disabilities. A sample letter has been provided as part of this advocacy and legislative alert.

This is ATRA in Action. We're stronger together! Download the full Action Alert and access the sample letter now at the link below. 👏

atra-online.com/advocacy

FEBRUARY ATRA ADVOCACY UPDATE! 📣In February, ATRA participated in a variety of advocacy activities and attended multiple...
03/10/2026

FEBRUARY ATRA ADVOCACY UPDATE! 📣

In February, ATRA participated in a variety of advocacy activities and attended multiple coalition meetings, including the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation (CPR) Annual Meeting, the Disability Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC), and the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities – Developmental Disabilities, Autism Task Force meeting. ATRA also endorsed six sign on letters on matters that impact recreational therapists and those who utilize recreational therapy services.

STATE-SPECIFIC ACTION ALERT – Please take action!

1. In the revised lawsuit about Section 504 of the Rehab Act, nine states (Alaska, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, South Dakota, and Texas) are seeking to block key aspects of Section 504 as unconstitutional. Texas vs. Kennedy states that aspects of Section 504 related to community living and community integration for people with disabilities are unconstitutional. An action alert will be released to recreational therapists in the nine states.

Read the full February 2026 Advocacy & Legislative Update at the link below. Be Proactive. Stay Informed. YOU are ATRA and this is ! 👏

https://www.atra-online.com/advocacy

NEW ATRA BLOG POST! 📣If you are a Recreational Therapist reading this, you have likely heard some misconceptions express...
03/07/2026

NEW ATRA BLOG POST! 📣

If you are a Recreational Therapist reading this, you have likely heard some misconceptions expressed about our field. This edition of our blog offers real data and language you can use to respond honestly and confidently when someone asks you about recreational therapy. As you read, consider which misconceptions you’ve encountered and what responses have worked for you. Your contribution to the discussion will help everyone in fine tuning how they respond to common misconceptions.

Read now and join the conversation at the link below. 🧡

https://www.atra-online.com/atra-blog

NEW ATRA CHAPTER ANNOUNCEMENT! 📣We're thrilled to introduce Ohio Recreational Therapy Association as ATRA's newest Chapt...
03/05/2026

NEW ATRA CHAPTER ANNOUNCEMENT! 📣

We're thrilled to introduce Ohio Recreational Therapy Association as ATRA's newest Chapter Affiliate! Congratulations and welcome to the ATRA family, ORTA! 🧡

Interested in starting an ATRA Chapter? Please email us at info@atra-online.com! ✨

NEW ATRA PODCAST EPISODE! 📣We're excited to announce that ATRA's Our Stories podcast is back with a new episode and an u...
03/04/2026

NEW ATRA PODCAST EPISODE! 📣

We're excited to announce that ATRA's Our Stories podcast is back with a new episode and an updated focus: Connecting Beyond the Story! Through shared experiences and professional insight, we connect the stories we hear to the work we do every day—supporting professional growth and effective practice across settings.

This episode of Our Stories: Connecting Beyond the Story explores how sensory activation and nature-based therapeutic techniques can enhance client engagement and support positive outcomes within recreational therapy practice. Guest Sami Dowling, founder of ReTx Yourself, joins the show to discuss foundational concepts of sensory activation, practical examples of nature-based interventions, and the research supporting biophilic engagement.

You can earn CEUs by listening to this episode! Don't have Spotify? No problem—you can listen for free on our learning platform. Start listening now at the link below. 🧡

https://www.atra-online.com/podcast

NEW ATRA INTENSIVE TRAINING! 📣We're thrilled to announce the arrival of our newest ATRA Intensive, Sexual Wellness Throu...
03/01/2026

NEW ATRA INTENSIVE TRAINING! 📣

We're thrilled to announce the arrival of our newest ATRA Intensive, Sexual Wellness Through Recreational Therapy: An Evidence-Based Approach for Supporting Individuals with IDD.

Sexual wellness is an essential component of holistic care. The Sexual Wellness Intensive equips recreational therapists with advanced competencies in providing comprehensive sexual wellness education for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) within their professional scope of practice.

7 Learning Modules | 0.95 CEUs | NCTRC Pre-Approved | NCTRC Specialty Designations: Community Inclusion Services and Developmental Disabilities

ATRA Intensives are unlike any virtual learning experience you've had before—richly concentrated, interactive, multi-media, and mobile-friendly. Start learning now at the link below.

https://www.atra-online.com/intensives

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM RTI! 📣There's still time to register for Recreational Therapists of Indiana's upcoming Annual ...
02/27/2026

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM RTI! 📣

There's still time to register for Recreational Therapists of Indiana's upcoming Annual Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana (March 5 - 6, 2026). Two days of education, advocacy, and connection! Review the event schedule and speakers and register now at the link below. 🧡

https://www.rt-indiana.com/page-1729581

Happy ! Are you proud to be a Recreational Therapy Student? ATRA is incredibly proud of you! You're the future of RT. 🧡...
02/27/2026

Happy ! Are you proud to be a Recreational Therapy Student? ATRA is incredibly proud of you! You're the future of RT. 🧡

Recreational Therapists make ! 🌊

https://www.atra-online.com/rt-month

SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE AT ATRA SoCal! 📣ATRA invites proposals for In-Person and On Demand educational sessions for the 202...
02/26/2026

SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE AT ATRA SoCal! 📣

ATRA invites proposals for In-Person and On Demand educational sessions for the 2026 ATRA SoCal Conference (October 17-19, 2026). This year’s theme, The Connection Rx: Prescribing Belonging Through Recreational Therapy, centers on belonging, connection, and the systems that shape our work.

New format! The 2026 Call for Presentations has been updated to a single, universal submission process that includes Research Institute Oral and Poster sessions as well as new and exciting speaker opportunities beyond traditional concurrent sessions.

Proposals are due by April 23, 2026. Learn more and start your proposal now at the link below. 🌴

https://www.atra-online.com/so-cal

WAVES OF CONNECTION MOMENT! 📣We're honored to share this from Blayr Thompson, CTRS, that showcases the incredible powe...
02/25/2026

WAVES OF CONNECTION MOMENT! 📣

We're honored to share this from Blayr Thompson, CTRS, that showcases the incredible power of Recreational Therapy to create waves of connection. Blayr is a therapeutic recreation supervisor in an adult residential IDD-BH setting. 🧡

Well done, Blayr! Your Waves of Connection Moment is a shining example of recreational therapy's lasting impact on social connectedness. 👏

We know you've been RT change lives—join Blayr in showing the world that Recreational Therapists are leaders in social connectedness by sharing your own Waves of Connection Moment at the link below. 🌊

https://www.atra-online.com/rt-month

ATRA PODCAST FREE CEU! 📣In celebration of RT Month and the incredible work recreational therapists do to make , we're g...
02/24/2026

ATRA PODCAST FREE CEU! 📣

In celebration of RT Month and the incredible work recreational therapists do to make , we're giving away 0.1 CEU for FREE! Just listen to the featured episode of ATRA's podcast and complete a short quiz to receive an instant CEU certificate! ATRA membership is NOT required. 🧡

Listen and claim your free CEU at the link below! 🫶

https://www.atra-online.com/rt-month

Happy ! Are you proud to be a Recreational Therapist? ATRA is incredibly proud of you! 🧡ATRA members are encouraged to ...
02/20/2026

Happy ! Are you proud to be a Recreational Therapist? ATRA is incredibly proud of you! 🧡

ATRA members are encouraged to request personalized promotional assets (like those pictured) at the link below. Be sure to check out ATRA's many FREE professional advocacy resources (membership not required) designed to help you promote the important work you do as an RT during RT Month and beyond. 🫶⁠

Recreational Therapists make ! 🌊

https://www.atra-online.com/rt-month

Address

Reston, VA

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when American Therapeutic Recreation Association posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to American Therapeutic Recreation Association:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram