Resources by Topic >> Recreation

ArtStream is a regional organization based in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area whose mission is to create artistic opportunities for individuals in communities traditionally under-served by the arts.

Have you wanted to experience kayaking? Boating in DC is offering an Adaptive Kayaking Program at our Ballpark Boathouse each Friday (July 31st through September 25th).

• Reduced cost of only $5 per session for program participants and $10 for guests, including family members, friends, caregivers or staff members.
• No prior kayaking experience is required.
• Individuals of all abilities are encouraged to attend.
• Kayaks, lifejackets and paddles are included.
• Boathouse staff are not able to assist with any personal care.
• Wheelchair accessible port-a-john is available on site.
• In the event of bad weather we will cancel the program. If you are registered (required) you will be notified as soon as the decision is made.

Camp Virginia Jaycee is a summer outdoor recreational and educational program for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Circle of Hope Therapeutic Riding, Inc (Circle of Hope) is a nationally accredited non-for-profit 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to encouraging the physical and mental development of children and adults with developmental, psychological, or physical disabilities. Circle of Hope's equine-facilitated approach incorporates cognitive, behavioral, psychological, and physical goals to increase self-confidence, self-esteem, physical independence, and social awareness.

• Disability benefits (guides, programs, applications, etc.)
• Civil rights (ADA information, accessibility guidelines, employment rights, complaint procedures, etc.)
• Community life (history of the independent living movement, personal care assistance services, sports and leisure activities, etc.)
• Education (IDEA and IEP information, teaching materials and strategies, classroom supports, college prep, etc.)
• Emergency preparedness (inclusive emergency planning, disaster recovery assistance, emergency service accessibility, etc.)
• Employment (career planning, workforce development, internship programs, hiring and recruiting information, etc.)
• Health care (disability and condition information, services and providers, caregiving options, financial assistance, etc.)
• Housing (housing laws, home buying guides, supportive housing options, home modification, etc.)
• Technology (accessible technology guidelines and standards, assistive information technology, assistive educational technology, financial assistance, etc.)
• Transportation (laws, travel guides, providers, vehicle modification, safety and complaint procedures, etc.)

The Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital (GSCNC) helps girls to promote diversity, gain practical life skills, and connect with their community through a variety of artistic, educational, and environmental events. Some of these events include:

• Photography expos
• College and career conferences
• Nature workshops

This guide offers background information on the health implications presented by ASD and physical limitations resulting from the symptoms experienced by children with ASD, along with resources and tips on the general benefits of physical activity, the benefits of swimming for children with ASD, resources for locating and accessing swimming lessons for your child with ASD, and other helpful resources to help your child experience the benefits of increased physical activity.

Specialty pediatric hospital providing rehabilitative services in the Washington-Baltimore service area, providing quality, comprehensive health care services for children and youth with disabilities and chronic illnesses and their families. Supports the Therapeutic Recreation Fund, designed to introduce various sports and fitness classes that offer the much-needed physical activity that is lacking in many programs for children with disabilities.

Kids Included Together specializes in providing best practices training for community-based organizations committed to including children with and without disabilities into their recreational, child development and youth development programs.

The Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes (MWABA) is a 501(c)(3) organization of blind athletes and their sighted peers who believe that recreational and competitive sports opportunities should be open to everyone, regardless of their ability to see. We hold programs for blind and visually impaired youth and adults from Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia to discover new sports or practice familiar ones in an open and welcoming environment. Our mission also includes teaching blind athletes the physical techniques and body movements that they may not have had a chance to learn through physical education classes. We also share the best way to teach athletic and kinesthetic skills to the blind and visually impaired population with educators in our area.

This multi-page resource provides information about a variety of recreational programs for people with physical and intellectual disabilities living in and around Montgomery County, Maryland.

Nurse Group's Special Olympics and Other Recreation Programs webpage offers a variety of sports and leisure resources for people with disabilities including links to:

• National and state-specific Special Olympics histories
• Current national and state-specific Special Olympics news
• Paralympic team, committee, event, sport club and sport ability information
• National and regional wheelchair sports organizations and events
• Limited mobility and wheelchair safety information
• Air travel tips

On The Edge brings children and others together who would not typically be involved in water sports and activities. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience something different and challenging, something that they could take on, and have fun with at the same time.

Serves hundreds of individuals with developmental differences, their families, and involved professionals through programs that take place at various locations throughout Montgomery County, and serving individuals from across the Washington, DC area. Supports the Therapeutic Recreation Fund, designed to introduce various sports and fitness classes that offer the much-needed physical activity that is lacking in many programs for children and youth with disabilities.

ReVision is a contemporary modern dance company committed to artistic excellence and community building. Through performances, workshops and teaching residencies, ReVision works with diverse populations of professional dancers and novice movers. A unique aspect of our work is our dedication to engaging people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

PERFORMANCES
At performances students will:

• Meet the dancers
• Learn new gestures and rhythms
• See how dancers prepare and warm up
• Participate in a Q&A with the dancers
• Dance!

MASTER CLASSES/RESIDENCIES
Dance professionals lead a series of movement classes that incorporate kinesthetic learning, team building and integrated subject matter. (Appropriate for all skill levels)

WORKSHOPS FOR CLASSROOM TEACHERS
Teachers learn how to integrate movement into the classroom.

This guide, written by the Arc of Northern Virginia, will help you answer the following questions:

• Who’s in charge of key life decisions.
• Whether your adult child is eligible for government support.
• What kind of jobs and day support programs are available.
• Which recreational activities are best.
• How he or she will get around.
• Where they’ll live.

The Accessibility Program supports the Smithsonian in making all visitors feel welcome by providing consistent, effortless access to the Institution’s programs, collections and facilities.

Responsibilities include:

• Advising on and implementing policy, practices, and procedures related to access for people with disabilities;
• Reviewing facility and exhibition designs;
• Providing technical assistance;
• Conducting outreach to the disability community and other cultural arts organizations;
• Providing staff education on disability topics; and
• Working with Smithsonian museums and offices to provide direct visitor services, including sign language interpretation, real time captioning, and alternate formats of publications.

Programs include:

Special Olympics D.C. is a non profit organization providing quality sports and fitness opportunities for citizens with intellectual disabilities in the District of Columbia. These programs enable participants to challenge themselves, lead healthier lives, experience success, and receive positive reinforcement for their efforts.

The Therapeutic Recreation Program is committed to providing innovative, inclusive, accessible and affordable recreation programs which enhance the health, well-being and quality of life for individuals with all abilities.

Recreation programs include:

• Youth & Teen Summer Camps
• Youth & Teen After School Programs
• Adult Social & Art Clubs
• Youth Sports Leagues

VCare, LLC provides professional and in-home developmental disability training and consulting services in the following areas:

• Special Education
• Nursing
• Transitional Living
• Employment
• Recreation

ART Options is an arts-infused program designed to support the development of vocational, social and life management skills for people with disabilities ages 16 and older in Washington, DC. Consistent with other St. John’s Community Services’ programs, ART Options operates in community settings in which participants enhance their personal and professional skills and prepare for and attain careers in the art field. ART Options focuses on applied, fine arts and digital design instruction, internships and jobs, public programming, museum and gallery visits, and the development of salesmanship and communications skills guided by the participant’s goals. 

ART Options utilizes the resources of the vast Washington, DC arts community including the Smithsonian Institute, National Gallery of Art, fine and contemporary art studios, and DC Public Libraries. This enables artists with and without disabilities to develop relationships and collaborate on projects in an array of creative and inclusive  environments. Supported by highly trained staff, artists with disabilities will hone their artistic talents, attain marketable skills, strengthen their  self-esteem and prepare for opportunities in the arts community.