What does inclusion mean to you?
Inclusion means something a little different for
everyone. No one really has the exact same personal definition of inclusion
because we are all unique—just like someone with a disability. Just like how we
don’t label people by how they define inclusion, we shouldn’t label people by
their disabilities. Sometimes it is difficult to overcome this. A lot of people
are unfamiliar with interacting with someone that has a disability. Because of
this, this trait may stand out to them and they associate that person with the
disability. The problem is that this shields us from getting to know someone
for who they are. We don’t get to see someone’s unique personality; all of the
things we share in common. For someone that has autism and can’t communicate
their feelings as well as they would like, that is even harder. The main
message I want to get across is: give everyone a chance to show you who they
are by how they want to be
presented.
Inclusion
in the city of Edmonton
When school is out, there are still many programs
and fun things to do that all children can enjoy, regardless of their skill
level, abilities, or whether or not they have a disability. The city supports
inclusion every step of the way: from childhood to adulthood.
During the summer months, various playgrounds around
the city have Green Shacks where trained city workers provide fun activities
for children between the ages of 6-12. The leaders at these parks have been
trained to embrace the principles of inclusion. This is an excellent
opportunity for children to play with other children their age in this sort of
an environment. Different Green Shacks run at different times so go visit the
parks in your community to talk to one of the leaders in a blue shirt!
There are also different day camps
tailored to different ages so if your child is under 6, they can still look for
programs that are suited for them. Once again, the day camp leaders are also
provided training to make their programs inclusive.
Some recreation centres also have indoor playgrounds
and some parks will have travelling playgrounds visit. These are tailored to
different age groups and all have inclusion in mind. You can browse the Edmonton website
or call 311 for more information.
Recreation centres are also a great place for the
family to visit. Recreation centres run by the City of Edmonton take accessible
into consideration. If you have any concerns about accessibility of a certain
facility, you can call 311 to voice your concerns. Check out the Accessibility
of Edmonton facilities for more information
There are many drop in sites
for youths from 12-17 to enjoy activities. A lot of parents are concerned that
their child spends too much time on TV or video games so these site provide fun
opportunities to enjoy the sun and have fun in a safe environment.
By having kids play in an environment that supports
inclusion, it allows children to realize that a disability is just a small part
of who a child is. They may start to see all the aspects that they have in
common and be able to see who that child really
is. This early exposure is an important step in moving our society forward and
not labelling individuals by their disability.
Play is very important, not just for the body, but
for the psychosocial development of a child. A lot of people underestimate the
power that play has on shaping their children. Positive interactions,
communication, and friendship really can make a difference in how a child
perceives their environment and handles situations in the future. This is why I
encourage these programs that the city offers.
Though I mainly focused on summer programs, there
are also programs that run during the school year. The Rising Youth
program provides an opportunity for teens (grade 9-12) to gain leadership and
volunteer experience throughout the year. They engage children in indoor and
outdoor activities that run after school or in the evening. There are also free
monthly outings and workshops on public speaking, social awareness, healthy
lifestyles, and community involvement.
Leisure Access Program
Leisure Access Program is a program offered by the
City of Edmonton where you receive a card that allows:
·
unlimited free access to participating
facilities including:
o
Recreation centres
o
Indoor ice arenas
o
Outdoor pools
o golf courses, attractions, and special facilities
·
discounts for
registered programs run by the City of Edmonton
Who is this program
available for?
You may qualify if you are an Edmonton resident
and one of the following applies:
·
You are on AISH/Income
Support
·
You are on AISH/Income
Support and have a Treaty Status Card
·
You have a plastic
Health Benefits Card
·
You are a new immigrant
or a refugee (To qualify, you must have been in Canada less than one year and
have not filed a tax return)
·
You are a child under
government care
·
Your household income is under a certain amount
There are so many
inclusive programs and activities offered by the city, you are bound to find
something that you will enjoy. You can find out about these programs through
the Inclusive
Recreation Guide and Community
Facilities Accessibility Guide
Lastly, you can subscribe
to Barrier
Free Press eNewsletter. This newsletter informs you about the issues and events that are
relevant to people with disabilities. If you subscribe, you can get monthly
newsletters emailed to you!
For more information contact factsume@gmail.com
Link to powerpoint presentation at Parents as Coaches Seminar
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