Inclusion
NSSRA recognizes that some individuals with disabilities would benefit from social opportunities available by participating in
programs offered through their local park district or recreation department. Inclusion provides a choice for individuals of varying
abilities to experience recreation programming within their community. NSSRA and partner agency staff work closely with the
participant and family to provide enriching recreation experiences in the least restrictive environment while maintaining safety and
confidentiality.
Inclusion services are offered to residents of NSSRA’s 13 partner agencies at no additional cost to the family. Inclusion support may
come in the form of one or more of the following: program observation, staff training, program modifications/adaptations, modified
equipment, and/or an Inclusion companion. An Inclusion companion’s role is to blend into the program with the partner agency
staff while providing the appropriate amount of support to promote independence and growth in the least restrictive environment.
A companion can support 1-3 participants (depending on their needs).
Requesting Inclusion Services
When registering for a program with one of NSSRA’s partner agencies:
• Mark the accommodation section of the registration form. This can be indicated in the following ways: Special Accommodations, ADA
Information, or Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Once the registration form is submitted, the partner agency will contact the family to discuss the type of Inclusion support needed for the
participant.
• The partner agency will provide NSSRA with an Inclusion request that contains both program and participant information.
• The family is then contacted by NSSRA to further discuss the needs of the pa