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ATRA SoCal : 2026 Session Description
October 17–19, 2026
The Embassy Suites, Brea, California
2026 ATRA Annual Conference – Session Descriptions
October 17–19, 2026 | Brea, CA
The following session descriptions represent the planned educational program for the 2026 ATRA Annual Conference in Brea, CA. While every effort has been made to provide accurate information, session content, presenters, schedules, and locations remain subject to change.
For a visual Calendar view, please visit: Schedule at a Glance
Continuing Education (CEUs):
NCTRC pre-approval is pending for all sessions for CEUs.
Code of Conduct:
All attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and guests are expected to uphold the ATRA Conference Code of Conduct.
To review the Code, view it here.
Note on Non-ATRA Activities:
Please note that any events or activities not listed in the official ATRA SoCal program are independently organized and not affiliated or sponsored by ATRA. ATRA is not responsible for independently coordinated events, meetups or activities not articulated in this program. Individuals interested in non-ATRA sponsored activities should contact their respective organizations directly for details.
Culturally Responsive Recreation Therapy: Advancing Belonging in Urban Rehabilitation Settings
Session Description
Belonging is a powerful determinant of health, yet patients in urban inpatient rehabilitation settings often experience cultural disconnection, identity disruption, and social isolation following life-altering illness or injury. Therapeutic Recreation professionals are uniquely positioned to address these challenges through culturally responsive programming that affirms identity, honors lived experience, and fosters authentic connection. This session will explore practical frameworks for integrating culturally responsive care into Recreational Therapy practice within diverse, urban rehabilitation environments. Participants will examine how culture, race, language, socioeconomic status, disability identity, and community context influence engagement, motivation, and perceived belonging during inpatient rehabilitation. Through clinical case examples and program design strategies, attendees will learn how to assess cultural needs, adapt interventions, build psychologically safe group spaces, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to promote equitable access to meaningful recreation. Strategies for reducing health disparities and supporting community reintegration will also be discussed. Participants will leave with actionable tools to strengthen culturally responsive assessment, documentation, and intervention planning—ultimately positioning Therapeutic Recreation as a key contributor to belonging as a health outcome.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to: Identify at least three factors that influence culturally responsive care in urban rehabilitation settings. Apply one structured framework to adapt a recreation therapy intervention to better support cultural identity and belonging. Develop one measurable strategy to integrate culturally responsive practices into assessment, documentation, or interdisciplinary collaboration.
Practice Area: Select ALL that Apply
Community
Management
Physical Rehabilitation and Medicine
All
Target Audience
New Graduates/New Professionals
Educators/Researchers
Mid-Career Professionals
Seasoned Professionals
Primary Presenter
![[photo]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocKY2Hz-UgGzRA8tw_1fbhQ_kgpyClhQO4ELRdfitRwQiLHwHIQ=s50-mo "Elizabeth Parker, MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital")
Elizabeth Parker, MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital
Biographical Information
Elizabeth Parker, MS, CTRS/LRT, is the Manager of Therapeutic Recreation at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital in Washington, D.C.. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Bridgewater College in Family Studies and Human Development, with concentrations in Family Life Education and Child Development, and her Master of Science in Recreational Therapy Administration from East Carolina University. Elizabeth has many years of experience working with both adults and children with complex medical conditions and physical and cognitive disabilities in clinical settings and within the community. In her role at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital, she manages multiple adaptive sports programs within the hospital’s community Adaptive Sports Program, including the competitive youth sled hockey team. She has obtained additional training in a variety of areas including aquatic therapy, the therapeutic use of horticulture, and multiple adaptive sports. As a second-generation recreation therapist, Elizabeth is passionate about providing evidence-based practice and collaborating with other disciplines to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered rehabilitation.