Inclusive recreation

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About Inclusive Recreation programs

The City of Ottawa’s Inclusive Recreation unit helps individuals with disabilities to take part in community recreation, whether it be through specialized programs or integration in standard programs or the Shared Care program.

Support persons

People with disabilities can take part in any City of Ottawa program. When participation may present a risk to health and safety, a participant’s own personal support person is welcome to accompany them to help with communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs. Participants must provide their own support person.

Contact a coordinator in your district for more information on accessibility policies and procedures, and to receive a Release for Support Person form.

Registration dates

Registration is now open for the following:

Winter activities online Monday, October 30.

Registration opens Tuesday, November 14 (swimming) and Thursday, November 16 (all other programs) at 9 pm.

Shared Care one-to-one support

What is Shared Care?

Shared Care is a program that provides individual integration support to children with disabilities, helping them to successfully participate in their chosen camps. An integration support worker will help to guide them through their days at camp, lending a hand or guidance as needed.

  • Shared Care is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Register for Shared Care and complete an intake assessment soon after registering for a camp or PA Day-camp and well in advance of the start date.
  •  A maximum of two weeks of Shared Care support per person is available for summer camps.

Intake assessment

The Inclusive Recreation coordinators can help with any questions you have about Shared Care. Making us aware early in the registration process will help our coordinators best support your child. Let us know of any diagnosed or undiagnosed cognitive differences or behaviours your child may have.

If your child has integration support at school, they will likely need it at City of Ottawa camps. If you are at all uncertain, please reach out.

How to register

Registration for Shared Care support is a separate step to be done right after registration in City of Ottawa camps or PA Day-camps. 

For general information about registering for City of Ottawa programs, see Browse and register.

Before you begin:

  1. Review the camp districts to find the facilities within your home's district either east, west, south or central. If uncertain of your home's district, reach out Inclusive Recreation by email and they will help you.
  2. Log in and search for a camp within your home's district in Register Ottawa, the City’s online registration system.
  3. Bookmark those of interest.

Register for camps or PA Days and for Shared Care:

Online registration in Shared Care is a two-step process:

Step 1. Register for camps or PA days:

Browse and register your child in a camp or PA Day and note the following information as it will be needed during the next step:

  1. The program’s district, either east, west, south or central. 
  2. The five-digit code that is near the top of the listing and to the right of the session. This is the program’s “activity code.”
  3. If registering for summer camp, note up to two weeks during which you will need Shared Care support.

Registration in the camp or PA Day is complete when you have paid the registration fees. 

Step 2. Register for Shared Care:

After you have registered into a camp or PA Day, you can then register online for Shared Care, in the district that aligns with the camp. 

  1. See the list of Shared Care districts and program dates on the Register Ottawa site. 
  2. Find and register for the Shared Care program that matches the dates and district of the camp to which you have registered.

Important information: 

  • Registration for Shared Care is complete only after you have registered online using the activity code.
  • Contact the Inclusive Recreation Coordinator for the district in which you’ve registered for Shared Care, east, west, south or central, after you have registered for Shared Care, to complete an intake assessment or update paperwork as needed.

Specialized program descriptions

All ages

Private swim lessons

Please reach out to your preferred City of Ottawa aquatics facility to inquire about private swimming lessons.

Adults ages 18+

Variety Adult Day Program

The Variety Adult Day Program is a therapeutic recreation day program for adults with developmental disabilities ages 21 to 55 years old. Participants are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities including sports, games, cooking, swimming, crafts, and community outings. There are six locations across the city, including one French program. Referral for the program is only made through Developmental Services Ontario, and not through the City of Ottawa.

Acquired Brain Injury program

The City of Ottawa and Ontario Health offer this goal oriented, therapeutic recreation day-program. This program focuses on developing skills needed for independent leisure involvement, connecting with community resources, and improving overall quality of life. Programming includes a fitness component and the opportunity to meet 1:1 with a Recreation Therapist bi-weekly.

Contact us for more information by email or phone 613-580-2424 extension 29320.

Summer Plus

This is an interactive therapeutic recreation summer camp for adults with developmental disabilities. Participants will be encouraged to participate in a variety of activities such as sports, games, cooking, swimming, crafts and outings. An intake meeting is required prior to the start of program for new participants.

Social recreation programs - adult

Social recreation programs are offered in various facilities across Ottawa for individuals who have a developmental disability. One example is our Friends for Fun social recreation program where adults participate in various group activities.

Rock, Rattle and Roll

A fun summer camp for individuals requiring physical and or medical support. Participants may be required to bring a support person.

Youth - ages 13 to 17

Spirit

The City of Ottawa and the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) offer this therapeutic recreation program for children who are medically fragile or technologically dependent. Referrals are made only through Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).

Social recreation programs – youth

Social recreational programs are offered to youth in various locations across Ottawa. For example, the Social Time program provides recreational games and physical activity for youth with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

Children - ages 5 to 12

Inclusive Swim Colours Yellow

Swim lessons for children with developmental or cognitive disabilities. Builds on motor skills, communication, socialization, and survival skills in an aquatic environment. Two weeks prior to participation and on a yearly basis, participants must complete the following; enrolment form with appendix A, Inclusive Recreation intake form and in-water assessment. Parents are required to remain on site for the duration of the lesson.

Inclusive Swim Colours Coral

Swim lessons for children with developmental or cognitive disabilities. Builds on swimming skills, motor skills, communication, socialization, and survival skills in an aquatic environment. Two weeks prior to participation and on a yearly basis, participants must complete the following; enrolment form with appendix A, Inclusive Recreation intake form and in-water assessment. Parents are required to remain on site for the duration of the lesson. Completion of Inclusive Swim Colours Yellow is required.

Summer camp locations for Inclusive Recreation

East

Central 

South 

West 

Contact us

Schedule a telephone meeting with our staff

Please call the Inclusive Recreation coordinator in your district or send an email to the general mailbox:

  • East District: 613-580-2424 ext. 29300
  • Central District: 613-580-2424 ext. 29292
  • South District: 613-580-2424 ext. 29291
  • West District: 613-580-2424 ext. 41226
  • Health Programs: 613-580-2424 ext. 29320

Scheduled payments

For payment information or help, please contact the Inclusive Recreation Admin Clerk at 613-580-2424 ext. 29283.

Feedback

Clients will have the option of providing feedback using the following methods:

  1. By phone: 3-1-1
  2. In person: the client can go to any RCFS customer service counter and speak to the City of Ottawa employee.
  3. In writing: the client may leave a written comment in a Client Comment Box. These boxes are available to the public in all Recreation Facilities.
  4. By email: RCFSAccessibilityServices@ottawa.ca

Comments specific to accessibility issues can be provided by email to RCFSAccessibilityServices@ottawa.ca