Welcome back to the Parks and Recreation Series, where we are exploring the ways that Parks and Recreation departments make their programming more accessible to Autistic or disabled people. In Part 1, we examined Parks Department sponsored summer camps. In Part 2, we took a closer look at inclusive programming. In Part 3, we are looking at adapted programming.

What exactly is adapted programming? It is programming designed to be enjoyed by as many people as possible, with consideration for the variety of accommodation needs that may entail. Such programs usually emphasize that they can be enjoyed by everyone! Let’s take a closer look at what such adapted programming can look like.

One way for Parks and Recreation departments to create more adaptive programming is to build more adaptive spaces. Spaces designed ahead of time with inclusion in mind. 

An adapted facility might be a playground built to be accessible to all users, or making certain event spaces more sensory-friendly or remotely accessible so as to be more widely available. 

A great example is Durham Parks and Recreation’s Community Bingo Night, which takes place in a specific location but is designed to be remotely accessible and played at home too. All you have to do is sign up!

Intentionally shared spaces are designed with the specific intention of including people with and without disabilities. If you have heard us talk about our Social Skills Group Curriculum, you have heard us emphasize the importance of Autistic people having intentional social opportunities where they feel safe to practice their communication style. 

Intentionally shared spaces also value creating such social opportunities with intention and inclusion in mind. L’Arche North Carolina is a great example of an organization that offers such spaces across a variety of activities. 

You can also find such programming with Parks and Recreation departments, though it may require searching the descriptions. Durham Parks and Recreation’s Buddy Sports Program is an example of a program that emphasizes inclusion of children with and without disabilities.

Of course, one of the most common forms of adaptive programming is with the variety of sports that can be played across a range of different settings. What your Parks and Recreation department may offer could come down to the facilities, resources, and volunteers available. 

Durham Parks and Recreation offers another classic example with Challenger Football, which emphasizes the accommodation of athletes with “diverse disabilities” to “gain important skills participating in sports.” This particular program is made possible by a grant from a Carolina Panthers Charity! 

You may find other programs making use of Parks and Recreation Space, like Miracle League of the Triangle or Endless Sports. Sometimes consulting a local community calendar is one of the best ways to find out! The Town of Chapel Hill's Adapted Park and Recreation Program shows a variety of programming options throughout the year.

We hope this post has offered some insight into the types of adaptive programming you can find with your local Parks and Recreation Department. 

Next week we will look more closely at how you can go about finding what is available in your local Parks, whether offered by the Parks Department itself or by one of the many organizations that make use of the space. 

So stay tuned for Part 4, and in the meantime feel free to share your thoughts and experiences at hello@autismgrownup.com!