To explore factors which both facilitate and impede healthy lifestyles for people with disabilities across their lifespan. Particular emphasis is placed on the instrumental effects of leisure and physical activity.

Researchers in this laboratory engage in studies focused upon gaining a better understanding of the factors which facilitate or constrain the full participation of people with a disability within our communities, and how that may vary across the lifespan.

This laboratory is equipped to conduct research utilizing qualitative methodologies such as focus groups, in-depth interviews and case studies, as well as traditional survey methods and experimental studies.

Research in this group has focused on the following topics:

Later life planning:

• perspectives from people with mental disabilities, social supports and service providers/policy-makers on the meaning of later life and retirement
• an investigation of the optimal model for facilitating later life planning

Factors that facilitate and impede community living for older adults with mental disabilities:

• individual and community-based factors, including the impact of person centred leisure education interventions
• measuring the effects of a leisure education intervention designed to help older adults identify their leisure choices and take greater control over their lives
• developing a lifespan model of social integration for persons with a mental disability
• exploring the meaning of independence in older adults with a mental disability
• early movement education programs for children with mental disabilities

For more information on the Lifespan and Disability Research Laboratory please contact:

Jennifer Mactavish, Ph.D.
Health, Leisure & Human Performance Research Institute
University of Manitoba
313 Max Bell Centre
(204) 474-8627
E-mail: jennifer_mactavish@umanitoba.ca