Accessible Recreation: Making Center Recreational Activities Inclusive Nikki Jackson Regional Disability Coordinator

Objectives This webinar will: Show center staff how to promote inclusion in recreational activities by: Ensuring physical access Ensuring programmatic access Addressing attitudinal barriers Using effective communication Fostering partnerships Committing to change and taking action Provide resources to promote inclusive recreation 2

Overview Recreation and leisure activities are an important dimension of the quality of life for all students, including those with disabilities. Through recreation we have fun, facilitate social interactions, and develop skills Students with disabilities often find themselves with limited opportunities to engage in recreational activities and they are often given low priority with support and assistance 3

Accessibility Accessibility refers to: A barrier free environment allowing students with disabilities to participate in all areas of community life Enabling people with disabilities to participate on an equal basis with others in recreational, leisure and sporting activities on your center 4

Inclusion Inclusion is not just physical access to a facility, it is the integration of all students, regardless of ability or functional ability in leisure and recreation activities Centers should: Strive to expand the possibilities of inclusion for students with disabilities Promote and sustain participation by students with disabilities in recreational activities 5

STEP 1: Promoting Inclusion Physical Access

Step 1: Promoting Inclusion Physical Access You should also review your center’s accessibility plan to: Assist your center in identifying accessibility problems and solutions in existing facilities Make a plan to make an existing facility more usable for your students with disabilities If there is no accessibility plan in place, review the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) Checklist for Readily Achievable Barrier Removal 7

Step 1: Promoting Inclusion Physical Access When offering recreational activity: Be attentive to the physical access of the activity Are there any obstructions in the walkway? Examine the physical environment where the activity will take place Are floor surfaces stable, firm and slip resistant? Are there benches in the locker rooms? 8

Step 1: Promoting Inclusion Physical Access There are some basic things that can be done to allow full participation of students with disabilities: Position tables in activity rooms to allow adequate movement space for students who use wheelchairs, crutches or walkers Remove doormats that may cause tripping or inhibit wheelchair movement Reduce the tension on doors to make them easier to open 9

STEP 2: Promoting Inclusion Programmatic Access

Step 2: Promoting Inclusion Programmatic Access Programmatic changes may be necessary to accommodate the specific skills and capabilities of students with disabilities Adaptations needed by students with disabilities will vary from student to student This means changing or modifying the way a program or activity is conducted Modifying the equipment used Modifying the program/activity Modifying the method a student engages in the task 11

Step 2: Promoting Inclusion Programmatic Access Modifying Equipment Finding, creating or adding assistive devices allowing a student to accomplish a skill, or compensate for lack of a specific ability A student with decreased fine motor control in their hands may have difficulty holding a tennis racket. A possible solution could be using an ace bandage to attach the racket to the students hand A student with limited dexterity in one hand may benefit from the use of an electric reel-in-device that is controlled by one hand A student with a prosthesis benefits by substituting a standard volleyball with a balloon or beach ball 12

Step 2: Promoting Inclusion Programmatic Access Modifying Equipment Other adaptive equipment is also available and is sometimes accessible through loan from your State Assistive Technology Program or from special recreation providers Adaptive equipment can also be purchased from commercial vendors 13

Step 2: Promoting Inclusion Programmatic Access Modifying the Program/Activity Changes to rules that allow modification for the skills that are lacking: size of field/court duration of game net height scoring methods Eliminating the need for challenging skills An example is allowing a student in a wheelchair two bounces in tennis before hitting the ball 14

Step 2: Promoting Inclusion Programmatic Access Modifying the Method Changing how an activity is done can lead to increased participation. Using a buddy or peer to perform the task that cannot be done independently Having someone run the bases for a student with a mobility limitation during a softball game 15

Step 2: Promoting Inclusion Programmatic Access Adaptations needed by students with disabilities to complete certain activity skills independently will vary from student to student Partial participation (in tasks, skills, or steps) may be an option Partial participation is a reasonable accommodation that allows for maximum independent participant performance 16

Step 2: Promoting Inclusion Programmatic Access Most importantly, let your student guide you! Programmatic adaptations are only successful if they are agreeable to and meet the needs of the student The reasonable accommodations committee (RAC) is a great place to discuss accommodations and adaptations 17

STEP 3: Promoting Inclusion Attitudinal Barriers

Step 3: Promoting Inclusion Attitudinal Barriers Staff and student attitudes about disability make a huge difference in creating an inclusive center There is a difference between being physically integrated and being socially integrated When promoting an inclusive center environment attention must be paid to: Staff and administration Student participants with disabilities Student participants without disabilities 19

Step 3: Promoting Inclusion Attitudinal Barriers Attitudes of Staff Staff training is critical. Remind staff that kindness and support is all that may be needed to create a positive, inclusive center for your students with disabilities Address verbal and non-verbal behaviors Have staff complete self-assessment tools to help them understand and deal with any biases, concerns, or fears 20

Step 3: Promoting Inclusion Attitudinal Barriers Attitudes of Students with Disabilities They will not be welcomed at recreational activities/events Accommodations will be unavailable or will be inadequate Participating in activities may seem overwhelming and/or frightening Make sure students know they are welcomed and included in all recreational activities Posters of people with disabilities displayed around center especially in the recreation building 21

Step 3: Promoting Inclusion Attitudinal Barriers Attitudes of Students without Disabilities Lack of understanding or consideration about limitations Inferior attitudes Ridicule or teasing Not using person-first language Thinking a disability is an inability to participate 22

Step 3: Promoting Inclusion Attitudinal Barriers Some ways to cultivate more positive attitudes include: Pairing students with and without disabilities in the performance of recreation activities Simulations or role playing activities Cooperative games and initiative problems Involving the group in making adaptations to games/activities to make them more inclusive Education and awareness programs such as videos, speakers, panels, or group discussions 23

STEP 4: Promoting Inclusion Effective Communication

Step 4: Promoting Inclusion Effective Communication As you work toward achieving inclusion it is important to consider communication. What is being communicated? How is it being communicated? 25

Step 4: Promoting Inclusion Effective Communication Printed Materials Include photographs of people with disabilities participating on an equal basis with participants without disabilities Include Disability Coordinator contact information and that accommodations for participation are available for the activity/program Use symbols of accessibility 26

Step 4: Promoting Inclusion Effective Communication Face-to-face interaction tips: Pay attention to what is being communicated Establish eye contact and speak to the student directly Allow adequate time for student to formulate and communicate his/her thoughts Expose staff and familiarize them to techniques that students with disabilities may use to communicate 27

STEP 5: Promoting Inclusion Partnerships

Step 5: Promoting Inclusion Partnerships Partnerships benefits: Fund/loan modified equipment Staff and student training Conduct/access accessible recreation activities on or off center 29

Step 5: Promoting Inclusion Partnerships Form partnerships with: Community organizations and area universities Centers for Independent Living (CILs) State Assistive Technology Programs Special Olympics Health promotion/fitness groups Advocacy groups 30

STEP 6: Promoting Inclusion Committing to Change and Taking Action

Step 6: Promoting Inclusion Committing to Change and Taking Action A different perspective Center staff must make a commitment to inclusion by thinking differently about students with disabilities and how they engage in center activities and programs How can my center make our recreational programs and services available to everyone? 32

Step 6: Promoting Inclusion Committing to Change and Taking Action With the right supports available, your students with disabilities can choose to participate in a full range of recreational activities and programs based on their personal interests and desires 33

Resources ADA Checklist for Readily Achievable Barrier Center Accessibility Tool is available on the Job Corps Disability Website under Frequently Requested Documents ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Recreation Facilities 34

Resources National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability (NCPAD) The focus is to collaborate with the nation’s leading health advocacy and disability organizations in linking them to the hundreds of program initiatives ongoing across the nation, and using this framework to build inclusion and integration into these existing programs. State directory of organizations 35

Resources National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability (NCPAD) State directory of organizations Tulsa JCC  The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges  Ability Resources, Inc. B.L.Hooks JCC  The Arc of the Mid South 36

Resources 37

Resources Sport Abilities (SA) Provides recreational, advocacy, support and sporting activities resources Offer calendars and different activities for every state 38

Resources Sport Abilities (SA) Provide recreational, advocacy, support and sporting activities resources. Offer calendars and different activities for every state. 39

Resources 40

Resources Adventures Without Limits (AWL) Special Olympics 41

Resources Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

Resources Regional Disability Coordinators Boston and Dallas Regions - Laura Kuhn Atlanta and Philadelphia Regions - Nikki Jackson Chicago and San Francisco Regions - Kim Jones 43