The Recreation and Leisure Inventory (RLI) was developed to assist disabled adolescents and young adults in determining their recreation and leisure preferences. The RLI had three prototypes, all of which used an interview format to assess participants' preferences for recreational and leisure activities. The Needs Assessment for Adults with Developmental Disabilities was first modified in 1993 and used with 46 senior citizens with mental retardation living in southern Mississippi. In 1994, the instrument was again modified for use with 70 mentally retarded adults ranging in age from 21 to 65 years. Modification and revision of the instrument has also been directed toward use with adolescents with mental retardation. The revised instrument was field tested on 49 adolescents ages 9 to 19 years with mental retardation living in rural southern Mississippi. This instrument was the predecessor that led to the development of the RLI. The RLI is presently being field tested with mentally retarded adolescents and young adults in southern Mississippi, Arkansas, and Indiana. Data are collected using an interview format in which participants are asked to indicate preference (like/dislike) for 36 activities. In addition, participants indicate the frequency of participation in each activity and their preference for participating "alone" or "with others." If "with others" is selected, the participant is asked to indicate with whom and whether this person has a disability. Responses regarding frequency of participation are grouped into four categories: never, sometimes, weekly, and daily. Demographic information such as age, gender, place of residence, classroom placement, and participation in community or school recreational programs is recorded. The interviews and data collected from this process will be the basis for additional modifications of the RLI. Results indicate that disabled adolescents and young adults have preferences similar to teenagers from the general population and reflect a desire by adolescents with mental retardation to be involved in more active, team-oriented sports. (Contains 14 references.) (LP)