Visible, Diverse and United:

Breakout Session #2: Recreation

The Bay Area is significantly lacking in accessible and low-cost recreational opportunities that allow all family members with a disabled parent to participate together as a family. Although there are several excellent recreational programs specifically for individuals with disabilities, they are typically designed either for children with disabilities or adults with disabilities - rarely for entire families that have disabled and non-disabled members. Similarly, public recreational sites such as playgrounds and parks are either inaccessible altogether or only accessible for young children with disabilities - rarely for a parent/adult with a disability. Individual family members are not only denied the economic, social, physical, and psychological benefits of recreation, but the opportunity for the family as a whole to play together and build a stronger healthier family.

Specific Problems with Recreation:

• Bay Area counties and communities are not aware of the need for accessible recreation - especially recreational activities that all family members can participate in.



• The policies and regulations for accessible recreation are not clear.



• There is a lack of information about what accessible recreational activities are currently available in the Bay Area.



• There are almost no accessible public playgrounds in the Bay Area - for children with disabilities, and especially not for parents with disabilities accompanying their children. More adaptive technology and equipment on playgrounds is needed in order for children to participate (e.g., soft floors).



• Most public pools are not accessible, they are cold, and there are not enough indoor pools.



• The cost of many recreational activities is especially problematic for low-income families (e.g., tickets, transportation, etc).



• Children with disabilities are shut out of many recreational opportunities, even those offered within their schools. Many children cannot participate in school-based recreational activities because of concerns about liability. Most P.E. programs are not accessible. There are not enough after-school programs.

Specific Recommendations addressing Recreation Issues:

• More parent advocacy, training and education about the benefits and opportunities for family recreation.



• Educate and train recreational programs how to provide accessible recreation for all ages.



• Create legislation, policies and guidelines for accessible recreation for all ages.



• Counties need to allocate more funding to increase accessible recreation.



• Encourage existing recreational programs that serve either children with disabilities or adults with disabilities to expand opportunities for the whole family to participate (i.e., disabled and non-disabled adults and children).

• Introduction and Featured Presentations


• Overall Recommendations
• Breakout Sessions
1. Breakout Session #1: Parental Rights
2. Breakout Session #3: Parents with Disabilities and Their Child's School System
3. Breakout Session #4: Transportation
4. Breakout Session #5: Programming and Systems Change