Recreation Preferences and Barriers among Adults with DeafblindnessCurrent attention has been focused on self-determination for individuals with disabilities. Self-determination theory examines an individual’s freedom to make life choices and decisions free from undue external influences (Whehmeyer, 1996). This theory is appropriate to investigate self-determined recreation choices among individuals with disabilities. Specifically, the deafblind population is of concern due to high unemployment rates and larger amounts of free time. Unfortunately this increased free time does not automatically transfer into self-determined recreational choices. To be engaged in self-determined behavior one must have the freedom to engage in behavioral preferences. Thus, this study used self-determination theory to investigate self-determined recreation behavior. The participants in this study were 51 deafblind adults (26 males and 25 females) who were surveyed at both the American Association for the Deafblind conference and over the Ushers Syndrome List serves. The participants completed a survey instrument designed to identify current recreational practices, preferred or desired recreational practices, and barriers to engagement in preferred recreational activities. Descriptive statistics revealed an unemployment rate of 50% indicating a significant amount of free time. Of the 25 individuals who were unemployed, the majority were well under retirement age with a mean age of 37 years. The participants were first asked to report their current recreational activities. These responses were then ranked in order of frequency of participation. The top three most common activities the participants currently engaged in were walking, swimming, and surfing the web. However, sixty percent of the participants reported they were unsatisfied with their current recreational choices indicating that they were not able to participate in preferred recreational activities. The participants were then asked to report their preferred recreational activities as well as the barriers to participation. The top three preferred recreational activities were fitness activities, outdoor recreation, and social activities. These preferences were negatively affected by both external and internal barriers such lack of opportunities to participate, lack of transportation, and lack of confidence in one’s ability to participate in the preferred recreational activities. Thus, in order to be self-determined one must have choices and know how to access these choices. The results of this study indicate that this population of individuals who are deafblind are not engaged in self-determined recreational choices and face a number of barriers to participation.Keyword(s): adapted physical activity, recreation programming