Catherine Coyle, Temple University Barbara Burger, Delaware County Intermediate Unit Kathleen Agren, Penn Wood High School Rachel Gucwa, Temple University Lequand, Penn Wood High School

 Highlight first year activities of Delaware County’s collaborative consortium on inclusive recreation  Consortium Members: › Temple University’s Therapeutic Recreation Department › Penn Wood High School Teachers and Administrators › Delaware County Intermediate Unit – Options Program › ARC of Delaware County › Parents of students with special needs

 4 Major Foci I. Develop and implement new after-school activities/clubs using principles of inclusion II. Use person-centered planning and leisure inclusion coaching to promote students with special needs involvement in existing after-school activities III. Develop procedures and implement person- centered planning for inclusive community-based leisure involvement with students exiting the school system IV. Provide outreach, advocacy and training activities targeting the promotion of school and community- based inclusive recreation opportunities

 Ongoing Process  Penn Wood’s “Video Club” › Meets once a week after dismissal › Students from Penn Wood High School’s autistic support & learning support programs participate with students from general education curriculum

 Solicited Administrative Support › LEA › Special education facilitators › Special education teachers  Determined students’ interests › Student survey of interests › Age and ability appropriate

 Determined & acquired necessary environmental resources  Club moderators and recreation therapists  Meeting space & time  Equipment  Parental support  Student transportation

 Phase 1: “It’s our club!” › Purpose: To created sense of ownership and investment in the club among students in the autistic support and learning support curriculums  Familiarity and skill levels  Rules and regulations  Behavior management  Routines The Video Club

 Phase 2: “Including others” › Invitation via announcements to all › Required socialization via team and tournament play

 Ownership is important  Equipment durability, set-up, color coding and cheat sheets  Rules, regulations, structure and rituals  Importance of welcoming environment › Answer questions about club purpose honestly  Maintaining interest  Need for continual marketing  Multiple student interests and schedules

 Person-centered model  Clubs that students have participated in Guitar Club Student Council

 Similar process as in Foci II  EXCEPTIONS: › DCIU Option’s staff identify appropriate students › Master-level, credentialed recreation therapists are used as inclusive leisure coaches

 Training Focus › Facility and Equipment › Socialization and Assistance Solicitation › Advocacy and Sensitivity  Major Issues

Everyday Lives, Everyday Fun Resource Fair

 Parent Education Workshops

 Delaware County’s Challenger League’s UNIFIED SPORTS INITIATIVE