Inclusion is a way of thinking that goes further than non-discrimination by taking a proactive approach to include all people in all programs and services. For parks and recreation departments, an inclusive approach involves actively promoting recreation and leisure programs to people with disabilities and planning ahead for their participation. It is the measure of success in our profession. Inclusion is promoted by the words and actions of each full- time employee, seasonal staff member, volunteer, etc.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is federal legislation that allows full and equal access by persons with disabilities to any place that offers public, governmental, and private recreation and leisure services. Parks and recreation entities fall under Title II, which ensures that individuals with disabilities have the same opportunities to recreate in their communities as individuals without disabilities.
The Cincinnati Recreation Commission (CRC) was created in 1926 to serve the citizens of Cincinnati and now serves the greater metropolitan area and the Tri-State Area (Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana). The Division of Therapeutic Recreation (TR) promotes both inclusion and special recreation opportunities. Since the passage of the ADA in 1990, TR has advocated a "Recreation for All" philosophy and so began educating the community about the ADA. All of CRC's public literature includes a statement indicating a willingness to accommodate individuals with disabilities.