Recreation is an important part of life for people of every age. Children need opportunities to meet and play with their peers and adults need opportunities to participate in activities they enjoy to lead full lives. Sometimes, people with disabilities need extra support to participate in community recreation activities.
Many communities throughout Illinois have Park Districts that provide recreation opportunities for their citizens. Many of these same Park Districts have a Special Recreation component to facilitate the inclusion of people with disabilities. Some Special Recreation programs emphasize support to participate in the scheduled activities of the community and Park District. Others provide additional opportunities designed to meet the specific needs of the people with disabilities in their communities. Special Recreation Associations for your area can be found on the Special Recreation Association Network of Illinois website at www.specialrecreation.org.
Another option for recreation opportunities is Special Olympics Illinois programs. Special Olympics is another organization specifically designed to meet the recreation needs of people with disabilities. Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and closely related developmental disabilities by giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. For additional information about opportunities in your area through Special Olympics Illinois, see their website at www.soill.org.
Remember that many organizations that provide services to children and adults with disabilities also provide recreation opportunities.