Recreation and Inclusion Resources
Dare2tri is a nonprofit specializing in adaptive sports. It encourages recreation, racing and competition while cultivating a sense of community for all athletes who are not labeled by physical ability but rather their determination and will to succeed.
Dare2tri offers free training opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities and visual impairments throughout the year for children and adults. Its programs include:
- Play for All at Chicago Children’s Museum
- Kids Tri Camp for youth ages 6 and up
- Learn 2 Tri beginner-level training camp
- Multisport clinics and more
Different Dynamics in St. Louis
Different Dynamics is a non-profit organization providing music programming for people of all ages, neurotypes and abilities who have a love of music.
Different Dynamics activities and programming include:
- The Music Exploratorium music studio space
- The Music Workshop featuring music and movement activities for the entire family
- Sensory-friendly performances
Disability EmpowHer Network is a non-profit run by and for girls and women with disabilities that connects, motivates, and guides girls and women to learn and develop to their highest potential and have the confidence to lead. The group, based in Rochester, NY, focuses on building skills and community by connecting girls with disabilities with successful women with disabilities to serve as mentors and role models.
Resources and programs include:
- A stories blog
- EmpowHer Camp (a year-long program)
- Letter from a role model
- Get a Mentor
- EmpowHer Expressions, a public speaking and career coaching program
Disaster Safety for People with Disabilities
The American Red Cross provides information and inclusive tools for creating an emergency plan tailored to your family’s specific needs regarding mobility, hearing, learning or seeing disabilities.
The step-by-step tools are designed to help individuals be informed, prepare for and respond to disasters or other urgent situations.
Do It for the Love inspires hope and healing through music. The non-profit organization grants live concert wishes for people with life-threatening illnesses, children with severe challenges and wounded veterans. You can apply for yourself or your child or nominate someone for a live music wish.
- The National Dance Institute has a series of YouTube videos of their inclusive dance program called the DREAM Project (Dancers Realize Excellence through Arts and Movement). The project provides children with disabilities the opportunity to dance and perform. Each dancer is encouraged to achieve their best through teamwork, creativity, empathy and discovery.
DSCC’s It’s Great to be Involved Tip Sheet
There are lots of ways to experience belonging. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help youth with special healthcare needs and their families explore being involved in sports, leisure and other community activities. This tip sheet includes information on exploring your personal interests, funding and scholarships to support your activities, and steps you can take to get involved.
DSCC’s Skills Checklist – Social
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this checklist to help youth gain important social skills and abilities needed to reach their highest level of independence. Youth can use this checklist to identify and build skills in areas such as communication, pet care, safety, socialization and recreation. Some of these activities may not apply to everyone.
DSCC’s Travel Safety Tip Sheet
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet for youth with special healthcare needs and their families to encourage travel safety. The tip sheet also provides information about adaptive driver programs and possible resources for vehicle adaptations.
The Dysphagia Outreach Project is a nonprofit organization that provides assistance for individuals with swallowing disorders across the lifespan.
The Dysphagia Outreach Project’s Dysphagia Food Bank aims to provide tangible assistance to low-income individuals with dysphagia across the lifespan by providing access to thickeners, pre-modified foods, therapy tools, oral care supplies and adaptive equipment.