What Parents Can Do
KIT is a non-profit organization designed to support programs that serve children with disabilities. The mission of KIT is to support recreational, child development, and youth development programs that include children with and without disabilities. KIT’s goal is to enrich the lives of all who participate and to increase understanding and acceptance of disabilities as a natural part of life.
What can you as parents do to ensure that your child with special needs has the same opportunity to enjoy out-of –school time programs as a typically developing peer?
Things You Can Do
- Contact programs and inform them that you do want recreational opportunities for your child.
- Identify a program in your community that meets your family’s needs.
- Visit the program site to observe the facility and meet the staff.
- Discuss options that are available for your child and provide information about needed accommodations.
- Share information about your child’s disability that is appropriate to their participation in the program activities.
How to Evaluate a Program
When deciding whether or not a program is appropriate for your child, consider the following questions:
- Is there a mission statement that promotes inclusion? If not is staff willing to help change this?
- Does the agency seek support from parents, advocacy groups or inclusion educators?
- Will your child be grouped with other children his/her age?
- Is the agency willing to have some type of communication system between staff and parents?
- Is the agency willing to enhance their staff to child ratios?
- Does the staff use person first language?
- Does the agency provide sensitivity/inclusion training for their staff and if not , are they willing to do so?
- Does the program encourage disability awareness training for all children?
- Does program staff encourage collaboration with other people involved in your child’s life (speech therapists, teachers, occupational therapists)
- Is the staff willing to make respectful accommodations? Will this be a safe place for your child?
Please note that if an organization does not have experience including children with special needs but they are willing to implement some of these changes then this option may be a good place to start.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Programs need your involvement
- Find a time that is convenient for both you and program staff to communicate on a regular basis
- Keep staff updated on your child’s needs and progress. For example if your child’s medication has changed or will be changing, if a new behavior plan has been implemented, or if your child has gained/learned a new skill.
The more information people have on how to support your child the better and the more successful the experience will be for your child.
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