All Are Welcome: an Invitation to the Intimidated Programmer
Wednesday, April 22 | 10:45am - 12:00pm
Session Description: This session will provide any department or individual with basic training tools and resources to help make already existing programs truly inclusive to these populations. After a discussion of why people feel uncomfortable around persons with hearing, vision, or mobility impairments; we will dive in to specific and concrete ways of including these folks and their families/friends in parks programming. Adapting a program refers to a change in the equipment used or may be as simple as supplementing seasonal staff training. The programmed activity should stay the same, with the goal of independence being a top priority. Pre-emptive planning for adaptive participants is in the best interest of every department.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn to handle accommodation requests in any program area, without relying on outside sources. Plan to prepare your staff for adaptations to programs.
- Identify personal and shared misconceptions or discomfort with populations interested in recreation programming.
- Discover and discuss additional sources of participants and equipment to pursue in your communities.
Speakers: Kacie Dietz
About the Speakers: Kacie Dietz is a Recreational Therapist with Spokane Parks and Recreation’s Outdoor Recreation and Therapeutic Recreation departments. Originally from Montana, Kacie found herself pursuing life in the Pacific Northwest to attend Eastern Washington University for BA’s in Outdoor Recreation and Therapeutic Recreation. Post-graduation Kacie took to the clinical and public sector where she has worked with community members and various stakeholders in attempt to develop year-round recreation opportunities for special populations within the general public.
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