Extracurricular inclusive programming for children with disabilities and their families: a proposal to increase community engagement

Families with children who have disabilities face much greater levels of stress than families with typically developing children. Social support, generally gained through community interaction, has been shown to ameliorate the detrimental physical and mental health effects of stress; however, families of children with disabilities participate significantly less in their greater communities due to feeling unwanted or unwelcomed by other community members. In recognition of these findings, the following proposal details a pilot program intended to reduce stigma, build social capital, and increase the likelihood for future community engagement. In developing such a program, children and families with and without disabilities will be brought together based on shared interests. If this program model is successful in achieving its aims, widespread dissemination of similar programs could lend to public health significance