Biography

Lindsey Oakes, PhD, LRT/CTRS, is currently the recreational therapy program director and an assistant professor in the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in the College of Public Health at Temple University.

Lindsey served as a tenure track assistant professor of therapeutic recreation in the Department of Health and Human Performance at Texas State University from August 2022 to July 2022. In May 2020, she completed a doctoral program in the Department of Public Health Education at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Lindsey received her bachelor of science in recreation programming from the University of Florida (2010) and went on to receive her master's in therapeutic recreation from the University of North Carolina Greensboro (2012).

Lindsey's research has explored the health and wellness experiences, as well as the recreation and sports experiences, of college students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) by engaging with various stakeholders at universities and colleges with inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs across the country. Lindsey's research also focuses on the exploration and generation of best practices for therapeutic recreation service delivery with individuals with IDD in community-based settings, as well as the use of photovoice in community inclusion research with individuals with disabilities. With her background in public health, Lindsey is interested in the potential impacts CTRS can make at various levels of the socio-ecological model.

Lindsey served as the student support coordinator at Beyond Academics from August 2012 to August 2016. In this position, she supported college students with IDD through the four-year integrative community studies certificate program at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. She has served as the program coordinator of InFocus Advocacy®, an advocacy organization that works with self-advocates, families and community partners to enhance the image of people living with a disability, since the organization's inception. Self-advocates with disabilities help InFocus Advocacy® prepare businesses and organizations on how to serve and accommodate people of all abilities, creating inclusive communities where everyone is welcome and valued. Lindsey has worked with her research colleagues and the InFocus Advocacy® team to complete multiple publications and professional publications. Her passion for social inclusion for all is reflected through her day-to-day work and research endeavors.

Education

• PhD, Public Health Education/Community Health Education, University of North Carolina Greensboro
• MS, Recreation and Parks Management/Therapeutic Recreation, University of North Carolina Greensboro
• BS, Recreation, Parks, and Tourism/Recreation Programming, University of Florida

Curriculum Vitae