Photo Credit: Paul Wicka
As children gather on Saturday mornings in the Donny C. Thiry Memorial gymnasium in the town of Hamburg, N.Y., Senior Community Center, they greet their friends with bursts of laughter and look to coaches in anticipation of the activities to come. First, the younger ones arrive to play in Adaptive Sports and Recreation, followed by their older peers and perhaps some young adults who live in group homes for individuals with disabilities. After the games and equipment are put away, some people will move on to art therapy, later bringing home their treasures to decorate a wall or refrigerator.
The program was initiated about 11 years ago to answer a public need and has grown to accommodate even greater numbers. Along the way, it has become more inclusive. Participants range in age and in physical and intellectual ability. Some may be on the autism spectrum or may use a walker or wheelchair. All are there in the gymnasium to have fun in a safe, friendly, environment as parents look on from the sidelines, laughing together or offering each other support.
Advice From An Expert
But accessibility is more than programming for all. It must open doors, both figuratively and literally, to all people. Accessibility in town recreation received a boost about a decade ago when Recreation Director Martin C. Denecke hired David B. Whalen, an expert in disability awareness as a consultant following a chance meeting at the department’s Adaptive Recreation Expo. Whalen was asked to take a look at the adaptive recreation program and train staff members, helping them gain greater insight into the needs of individuals with disabilities. Whalen founded Disability Awareness Training in 2004 and specializes in the training of law enforcement; emergency responders; human-service providers; public, private, and school transportation; corporations and businesses; places of worship; and educators. He has trained emergency management, police, firefighters, medical services, and 911 dispatchers in New York, Montana, Missouri, and Virginia.