Inclusive Recreation

Your child will require 1:1 support to participate in all recreational programs if he/she:

• requires additional support at school, home or in the community with basic needs such as dressing, personal care or feeding;
• has a tendency to exhibit aggressive behaviours;
• does not understand danger;
• has a disability that affects his/her communication, mobility, comprehension and/or socialization.

If your child requires 1:1 support, arrangements can be made to hire an Inclusion Counsellor (an experienced 1:1 worker) on your behalf. Inclusion staff receive specialized training and are certified in:

• Standard First Aid & CPR-C
• High Five Quality Assurance
• Safe Management – Non-violent Crisis Prevention Certification

Note: It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to cover the cost of the Integration Counsellor.

Volunteer support is offered to an inclusion program participant that:

• is diagnosed with a mild disability;
• requires minimal  support at school,
• may have some difficulties with completing tasks, transitions and following directions and/or social skills.

Note:

• Demand for volunteers often exceeds supply and cannot be guaranteed.
• Volunteers may be working with individuals with disabilities for the first time.
• They do not assist with personal care, administering medication, lifts and transfers, or with children with behavioural challenges.

For health and safety reasons, if a volunteer is not available or suitable for a participant's needs, parents/caregivers will be required either to provide their own support worker or hire an Inclusion Counsellor through the Department.

It is in the best interest of the child to have a support worker who:

• has had previous and successful experience working with children and, preferably with your child;
• has a good understanding of your child’s needs; and an ability to interact with him/her successfully;
• will participate and blend easily into a recreational setting.

1:1 support experience could include any of the following:

• mediation experience (supplied by family, agency, association, organization, etc.);
• babysitting experience;
• a family member or friend (if suitable, close to the age of staff/instructors) who can participate in all recreational activities.

Note: All own support workers must provide a Vulnerable Sector Check and sign a release of liability.

An identified “support person” who accompanies a person with a disability in a program shall enter the program at no cost/fee.

• The support person shall assist/support the person with a disability in the program at all times, and shall be within arms length from the individual with a disability.
• Eligible support persons must obtain approval in advance in an effort to facilitate easy access/entry to recreation programs and services.
• A fee is applicable should the support person be participating in a program not in the capacity or acting in the role of a “support person.”

To be eligible for a support person access, contact the Recreation Supervisor, Inclusion and Support Services at 905.832.2377 ext. 7405 or email inclusion@vaughan.ca.

York Region offers subsidies for recreation programs and day camps. Recreation programs and day camp subsidies provide children from families with low income the ability to take part in programs offered by the municipal recreation departments.   

Please visit york.ca/recreationsubsidies or call Access York 1-877-464-9675 for more information and to see if you qualify. Applications for subsidy assistance must be submitted to York Region. Once you have received an approval email through York Region, fill out the Subsidy Registration Form or the Summer Camp Subsidy Registration Form for courses within the annual approved rate limit.