Inclusive Recreation

July 31, 2023

Inclusive recreation programs afford individuals with or without a disability the opportunity to participate in the same activities. For inclusive services to be successful, inclusion must be a value that is shared by all parties involved.

Whether an after-school, weekend, swimming, or day camp program, municipal parks and recreation departments, private recreation providers, and non-profit organizations offer a range of programs designed to meet the interests and abilities of all participants.

Inclusive Recreation can also be referred to as integrated adapted, or accessible recreation programs.

Why Should You Become Involved In Inclusive Recreation Programs?
• Enhance physical abilities
• Increase self-esteem, confidence, and independence
• Improve social skills and make new friends
• Develop lifelong recreation attitudes and skills
• Improve overall quality of life

Listings of inclusive programs, camps, and organizations may be found under Resources in the Partner Links section under the “Inclusive Recreation Guide” heading.

Community Self Advocacy

Self-advocacy is not only for individuals but also for communities. Catulpa envisions a future where the people we serve are recognized and valued as contributing members of their community and fully integrated into their community’s activities.

We know this is a vision shared by many children, youth, adults, and families with developmental or mental disabilities. As individuals, agencies, and governments, we must work together to face the growing need for inclusive supports and services within our communities.

By advocating for better resources and funding for each child and family, we can make a difference.

No matter how you choose to advocate it’s important to follow some simple guidelines:

Be polite and reasonable
Be consistent when speaking about your issue. Keep it as simple as possible
Stay informed about changes to your issue
Be clear about your objectives and the need for a commitment, as well as desired next steps
Connect with others interested in your issue. Not only does this provide you support, but together you can be more effective
Follow up regularly with decision-makers so they know you are engaged and committed

There are several different ways you can choose to raise awareness about your issue. Some of them are:

A personal letter from you, your support group, or a larger community network to local, provincial, or federal politicians detailing your story and how the issue(s) affects you can be very impactful
Talk with local, provincial, or federal politicians. Phoning or meeting can have an impact, especially if they are not familiar with your issue
Start an online petition and present it to decision-makers, showing the issue is a concern to many
Post your story online. Social media sharing can reach a large number of people
Tell your story to community groups so they become engaged with your issue
Contact the media and provide them with your personal story and how the issue affects you or your family. Include facts and statistics they can use as background

Useful Links:

Facts and Statistics: Statistics Canada

Canadian Federal Government Representatives

Ontario Provincial Government Representatives

Ontario Municipal Government Representatives

Download the Self Advocacy Manual here.

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