Providing Equal Access for All
 All individuals are welcomed and encouraged to participate in our recreation programs. Swimming, in particular, lends itself well for all ages and abilities. It's a healthy, low-cost activity which can be enjoyed for a lifetime. Our recreation center pools and staff are equipped to remove access barriers and help our patrons have a positive swimming experience. Portable lifts are available at Bayside, Bow Creek, Great Neck and Princess Anne pools to assist with entry into the pool. By the end of the year, all pools will have a lift available. Additionally, the Princess Anne pool has a wheelchair ramp (pictured above) which has been very well received as an added means of entry for those requiring it.
The new Williams Farm Recreation Center, scheduled to open in September, offers a zero-depth, or beach entry, pool. Positioned at the shallow end, the entry point is constructed to be virtually even with the deck. Sloping from the deck - like a ramp - into the pool water, the entry becomes progressively deeper with each step you take, providing a gentle transition into deeper water.
If additional support is needed, the City's Inclusion Support Services ensure that individuals are provided with opportunities to participate in our programs and facilities in an inclusive environment. Inclusion staff strive to make every reasonable effort to accommodate individuals with barriers (i.e., physical, mental, economic, access), thus enabling successful participation. The service is provided free of charge for individuals who request the service and are registered for a general recreation program or service. Services can range from writing an accommodation plan for a child who has ADHD to providing an interpreter for a student with a hearing impairment.
To access this service, complete the Inclusion, Accommodation & Special Needs Request Form and submit it with your course registration. Two weeks' notice is required to ensure appropriate accommodations. Eligibility requirements (age, level of participation) must be met in order to participate. You will be contacted by an Inclusion Specialist once the form is processed.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about these services, please call (757) 385-0444. |