Welcome back to our Parks and Recreation Series, where we are exploring the ways that Parks and Recreation departments make their programming more accessible to Autistic or disabled people. In Part 1, we took a closer look at Parks Department-sponsored summer camps. In Part 2, we will take a closer look at inclusive programming.

We can broadly separate accessible programming into two big buckets: inclusive and specialized. Inclusive programming focuses on bringing disabled and nondisabled people together in the same activities. 

Some inclusive programming might simply offer accessibility options, while other inclusive programming might specifically focus on equal or proportional participation. Let’s take a closer look at each!

In Part 1, we took a closer look at Prince George's County’s summer camp brochure and its guidelines for requesting modifications to its summer camp offerings. 

Modifications might include whatever accommodations that the program in question can reasonably make to include someone without undermining the fundamental purpose of the program. 

Compared to more actively inclusive programming or even specialized/adaptive programming, standard programming might have stricter limitations on what modifications it can offer. 

Prince George's County outlines some of its own limitations directly. If you’re not sure, it might be worth asking around! You never know until you get an answer!

Programming that is more directly focused on inclusion rather than simple accommodations may be better prepared to meet a wider variety of needs while maintaining a certain proportion of disabled and nondisabled people. 

Like any more specialized programming, programs focused specifically on inclusion may differ in terms of the exact variety of activities on offer. But they may also offer some more flexibility in terms of what they can offer in meeting your needs or the needs of the person you are supporting. 

You may find such programs helpful if you want to work on social or community-building skills, but are worried about certain support needs going unmet.

Inclusive programming combines accommodations for support needs, socializing, and community building all into one space. Inclusive programming offers Autistic or disabled people access to a far wider variety of activities than they otherwise would if they could only attend specialized activities. Pathways to Play shares some examples of potential forms of inclusive programming, including:

• Sensory-friendly events

• Intentionally slower pace events

• Designated decompression rooms

• Easy entrances and exits

• Free admission for aides

• Designated time periods with fewer participants

If you or someone you are supporting has ever wanted to participate in an activity but worried about how your or their needs would fit in a group setting, it would be worth checking in with your Parks Department to see if the right inclusive programming might be helpful to you!

With that, we are wrapping up for the week, but we hope to hear more from you! Do you have an exceptional Parks and Recreation Department when it comes to inclusive activities? Does your Parks Department leave something to be desired? Let us know your thoughts at hello@autismgrownup.com, and stay tuned from next week when we will focus on specialized and adaptive programming!