inclusive-sports-and-recreation
inclusive-sports-and-recreation
Inclusive Sports and Recreation
Inclusive sports and recreation focus on making activities accessible to everyone, regardless of ability, by modifying rules, equipment, or the activity itself. This approach allows individuals with disabilities to participate alongside their non-disabled peers and fosters a welcoming environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging and can fully enjoy the health and social benefits of being active.
The resources below provide information on creating more inclusive programs for individuals with disabilities and provide links to inclusive recreation programs.
Resources for Inclusive Sports and Recreation
Accessible Playgrounds
Let Kids Play! | New Jersey Playground Directory - This directory lists playgrounds that have inclusive and accessible features. Here you can find the best of the best as well as playgrounds that have added accessible swing seats or other accessible feature.
Accessible NJ: Playgrounds for Kids of All Abilities -New Jersey is committed to providing every child with safe outdoor recreation areas where they can play, learn, laugh and grow. Inclusive playgrounds equipped for all levels of mobility, sensory and vision levels can be found throughout the Garden State.
New Jersey » Playground Directory - Pictures, descriptions and addresses of inclusive and accessible playgrounds.
New Jersey’s Ten Best Inclusive Playground Spaces - We believe the following locations to be some of New Jersey’s most inclusive play spaces. These playgrounds and splash pads include inclusive play elements that go beyond double-wide ramps and accessible safety surfacing for ease of access. They feature inclusive, creative, collaborative activities such as interactive sensory gizmos and panels, musical play instruments, and much more.
NJDEP| News Releases | DEP Announces Upgrades to Play Structures Across State Parks (23/P041)
Adaptive Swim Lessons
Adaptive Aquatics Lessons in Voorhees Township - Our Adaptive Aquatics program is designed to meet the unique needs of swimmers with physical, sensory, or developmental challenges. Through individualized lesson plans and compassionate instruction, we help children build water safety skills, confidence, and strength—all in a safe and supportive environment.
Adaptive Special Needs Swim Lessons in South Jersey, NJ - Private, at-home special needs swim lessons. One-on-one instruction for Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, and more – in your home pool.
Aqua-Tots Swim School - Our Students Needing Adaptive Programming (S.N.A.P.) classes create private lessons tailored to your child’s special needs and abilities. S.N.A.P. classes may serve children who have been diagnosed with behavioral, developmental, learning, medical or mental disabilities.
Katz JCC Adaptive Swim Lessons- In partnership with FACES 4 Autism, the JCC now offers a specialized swim program designed to enhance the lives of children on the autism spectrum.
SNUGS: Special Needs Undergraduate Swim Lessons - SNUGS stands for Special Needs Undergraduate Swim Lessons. We recognize that drowning is among the leading causes of death for children with disabilities. We work to mitigate that statistic by providing free swim instruction to as many special needs children as possible.
YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties-Mt Laurel YMCA - New Jersey YMCA State Alliance is a statewide non-profit organization working alongside a coalition of 32 independent YMCA associations. The Mt Laurel YMCA offers Special Needs and Special Olympics Swimming programs.
Inclusive Parks & Recreation
Accessible Beaches in New Jersey and Delaware (and Those with Beach Wheelchairs) - Metrokids
Accessibility - State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites
Accessible NJ: Mobility-Friendly Beaches on the Jersey Shore | VisitNJ.org - Discover some of the best wheelchair-accessible beaches in NJ for an unforgettable coastal getaway. With an array of inclusive amenities such as ramps, boardwalks, nonslip beach mats, and accessible parking, these beaches ensure everyone can bask in the sun and enjoy the serene ocean waves.
All Trails | Best Wheelchair-Friendly Trails in New Jersey- Explore the most popular wheelchair-friendly trails in New Jersey with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions, as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature enthusiasts.
Auress Opportunity Network: Exploring Outdoor Accessibility in New Jersey - Easterseals NJ explores outdoor accessibility options in New Jersey, ensuring everyone can experience the joy of nature.
National Ability Center | What is Adaptive Recreation - Explore different types of equipment and activities, community aspects, and accessible environments. Uncover the profound impact of adaptive recreation on physical, emotional, and social well-being.
Nature: Accessible for all | Pinelands Alliance - The Pinelands Is For Everyone project’s goal is to make recreation in the Pinelands National Reserve more accessible for individuals with disabilities.
Nature: Accessible For All - Trails Map - Sharing Accessible Natural Places in the Pinelands and Beyond. Not sure where to start? Please check out this list of recommended hikes to get you started!
New Jersey Wheelchair Accessible Trails & Trail Maps | TrailLink- Find the top-rated wheelchair accessible trails in New Jersey. Whether you're looking for an easy short wheelchair accessible trail or a long wheelchair accessible trail, you'll find what you're looking for.
NJDEP| DEP Dedicates Enhanced Sensory Awareness Trail At Forest Resource Education Center In Ocean County - The accessible quarter-mile Sensory Awareness Trail encourages visitors of all abilities to use multiple senses to explore the forest and other habitats that the out-and-back trail traverses. The trail was established 20 years ago. Work began in 2020 to improve accessibility for people with visual and mobility impairments.
Outdoors for Everyone - Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation - Provides the community and outdoor organizations with the knowledge, solutions, and resources to ensure the great outdoors is accessible for all. The site also includes a Water Accessibility Checklist.
Outside, Together! New Jersey's Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) - New Jersey’s SCORP promotes accessibility, sustainability, and inclusivity in recreation areas and facilities.
What is Adaptive Recreation? - National Ability Center - Adaptive recreation is a transformative approach to recreational activities. By adjusting equipment, teaching methods, and services to accommodate someone’s disability, we ensure everyone can participate.
Inclusive Sports
4 Ways to Make Your Sport More Accessible for All | TrueSport® - Creating a positive sport experience should be a priority for any coach, and it’s important to remember that means fostering an inclusive, supportive atmosphere for all athletes. In addition to welcoming young athletes of all experience levels to the team, coaches should make sure their sport program can be modified when an athlete with a disability joins their team.
Adaptive Sports and Activities | NDI - The Assistive Technology Guide for New Jersey provides a section with resources dedicated to Adaptive Sports & Activities.
Best Adapted PE Games: 5 Activities for Kids - TES - For children with disabilities or special needs, navigating the world is even more challenging, even for simple tasks. Children with physical or mental limitations may have trouble running around outside or making friends and communicating their feelings appropriately. These are things that most children learn as they grow up, but for students with disabilities, it can be difficult to keep up.It’s important to remember that all children deserve the chance to play and learn just like any other children their age, especially because this learning can make a huge difference in their lives.
Differentiation In Physical Education | The PE Project - Use the STTEP principle, common principles of differentiation, to begin to modify and adapt learning, teaching, and assessment.
Heartland AEA Adapted Physical Education & Recess Activities and Games - Contains many ideas for adapted PE and recess activities and games for students with disabilities.
Inclusion in School Physical Education and Physical Activity | CEC- Inclusive physical education and physical activity programs in schools provide equal opportunities for all students, including those with disabilities. All students, regardless of ability, should get the recommended 60 minutes or more of daily physical activity. Schools can help them meet this recommendation. Creating an inclusive culture for physical education and physical activity helps all students learn to lead a healthy and active lifestyle.
Inclusive Sports and Fitness - Inclusive gross motor education and sports provide students with and without intellectual disabilities opportunities to meaningfully participate in fitness activities alongside one another in a variety of settings.
Learn. Practice. Play - Guide to Inclusive Physical Education and Sports Activities- A valuable resource for all physical education professionals. Provides educators with the strategies and information needed to ensure success for all students. A quality physical education program addresses the learning styles of every student and ensures that every student is included, accepted, and respected. All students have equal opportunities to learn skills, increase their fitness level, and participate in physical activities with others.
Modifications and Adaptations | let's play - With these easy adaptations you will quickly see how activities you currently use can be made inclusive for everyone.
Move United - Move United is the national leader in community adaptive sports. Our 254 member organizations in 45 states are united by a single mission: ensuring everyone, regardless of ability, experiences the life-changing power of sport and is included in their community.
Teaching Resources for Practitioners | NCPEID- A variety of resources for practitioners to help provide quality adapted physical education/activity programming for individuals with disabilities.
UNIFIED SPORTS - A Student's Guide to Starting Special Olympics Unified Sports® - Special Olympics Unified Sports® is an inclusive program which combines individuals with intellectual disabilities (athletes) and individuals without intellectual disabilities (partners) on sports teams for training and competition. Athletes and partners compete alongside one another, each in a meaningful and integral role on the Unified Sports team.
Additional Resources
Camden County disABILITIES and Special Needs - The Camden County Division of Programming for Individuals with disABILITIES and Special Needs offers a wide range of activities and programs throughout the year. Most programs are free to attend, but registration is required.
SE4SK | Special Events 4 Special Kids - A nonprofit organization dedicated to hosting completely free events for children with special needs and disabilities. Our events provide a safe, welcoming environment where families can connect, kids can have fun, and everyone is accepted exactly as they are.
Special Needs for Kids in NJ - Connect to a variety of necessary resources including special needs professionals, special needs schools and enrichment programs, sensory play, therapists, special needs summer camps, and social groups.
Things to Do for Children with Special Needs | NJ Kids - New Jersey and the surrounding states are packed with sensory-friendly and autism friendly opportunities for children and adults to learn, explore, and play.
Learn & Create with the LRC-South
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