Adapted and Inclusive Programming

Recreation activities for everyone

Recreation offers a wide range of programs and services that are inclusive to all residents. If required, participants are encouraged to bring their own assistive devices, service animal or support person at no additional charge.

Below you can find more information about specific programs and services that are designed for children, youth, adults or seniors living with disabilities or additional needs who would benefit from an adapted program environment.

Inclusion Facilitator Support for Registered Programs

External Support Persons and Animals

The Recreation Division offers trained staff to support children and youth with disabilities or additional needs to participate in recreation programs offered. This service is subsidized by the Recreation Division, at no additional cost to the family or participants (program fees still apply). Support is available for select recreation programs based on resource availability.

Due to high demand, registration spots are limited.

Additional Service Details:

Support staff are scheduled and paired with children/youth participants based on location, program and availability of staff. If support staff is confirmed – they will accompany the participant for the requested program based on the assigned day and hours (all year-round programming and Camp Kidaca).
Increased supervision by a trained, support worker who is dedicated to the care and safety of the participant
Assistance with bathroom, changing and eating
Adaption of programs for all participants
Facilitation and encouragement of friendships and appropriate social interaction.

To request a City Supplied Support Staff, please follow the below steps

Contact [email protected] to be added to our participant or agency email list to receive information on registration details.

Once on the contact list, the inclusion team will send out information via email prior to each session’s registration dates to families, participants and agencies who are on our email list.

Process Steps:

You will receive and email from [email protected] with steps on how to place your child or youth on our Support Staff Request Waitlist (there is a different waitlist per session – Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer). You will be sent copies of all paperwork required (Support Program Registration Form & Individual Accommodation Plan). You will only receive this paperwork and information if you are added to the participant or agency email list.
The inclusion team will review and process all program support request via the waitlist and collect all required paperwork.
Confirmation: The inclusion team will inform you if support has been confirmed and will require you to put a credit on your account for payment of programs.
Registration: The Inclusion team will process your registration, and ensure your support is confirmed.

Note: Step 1&2 MUST be completed in order to process your registration.

Browse all courses including gym, club and aquatics.

Subsidy is available for those who qualify through the Recreation Assistance Program.

If you are new to our programs, create a family account. If you have an existing account, please ensure that all contact information is correct before the registration period.

You may provide your own support person or animal. We welcome support persons or animals who assist participants living with disabilities or additional needs. Support persons or animals are chosen by the participant to provide assistance as required. There are no additional fees charged for support persons or animals.

To ensure the safety and positive experience for all participants, we ask that Support Persons adhere to the following guidelines:

Support persons should have the maturity and knowledge to make decisions and sound judgment relating to the participant’s wellbeing and care.
Support persons may not leave the program/program area with the participant unless permission is received from parent/guardian.
Support persons will provide the instructor with suggestions and input for adapted/ modified programming (if applicable).

To ensure the safety and positive experience for all participants, we ask that Support Animals adhere to the following guidelines:

Service animals are individually trained to carry out tasks for a person with a disability or support their general health or wellbeing
The animal can be readily identified as a result of visual indicators such as a vest or harness

Please note: Generally, support animals will not be permitted in pools and staff will accommodate by provided a designated space on the pool deck in relative proximity to the patron.

A darkened room with led light strings in blue and purple colours

Snoezelen Nook

Sensory Room Programming

A one hour program time designed for anyone living with disabilities or additional support needs to access a fun, multi-sensory environment with specialized equipment that promotes relaxation and stimulation through light, touch, and sound. Participants can attend with their own support person (or family member).

Book Now

Note: Space is big enough to accommodate up to 2 participants and 1 support person, please contact [email protected] to enroll more than one participant.

Looking to access the space with a group or more participants? Adjoining room is also available for rent, with free access to the Snoezelen Nook upon request. Please contact [email protected]

Sensory Social 3-11yrs
Sensory Social 12-21yrs

*If additional support is needed for participation, children and youth should bring their own support person, city supplied 1:1 support is not available for this program*

Sensory Social is designed for children and youth living with additional needs or disabilities to attend with their own support person (or family member). This drop-in style program encourages participants to engage in a fun, recreational and multi-sensory, environment. It will include shared time in our community Snoezelenook, and a staff will also have games and activities for participants to take part in with their own support persons when not using the Snoezelenook. Note: Program is 1.5hrs and is meant for 5 people plus each of their support persons. 10-15 mins will be allotted to each person in the Snoezelenook.

Registered Adapted Programs

Adapted Drop-in Swim, Gym and Fitness

Inclusion Facilitator Support for Registered Programs

External Support Persons and Animals

Adapted programs are designed specifically for persons with a disability or those who require additional support with reduced ratios. These programs can be found on the website.

Browse & Register for Programs

Please note, to view specific program, add course name to “Keyword” filter.

Programs available include:

Teen Connections 13-21 yrs

This recreational program is designed for teens ages 13 - 21yrs who are living with additional needs or disability. Participants recreate and form connections with other teens and engage in activities including, cooking, active games, crafts, swimming, fitness, group team building and much more. Teens should be able to participate semi-independently with a ratio of, 1 staff to 5 participants.

Fit Social 21-30 yrs

Designed for adults ages 21-30yrs living with additional needs or disabilities who want to get active, socialize and try something new. Adults will have the opportunity to try various fitness and social programs including (Fitness, sports, swimming, and more) Participants must be able to participate in a 1:5 staff to participant ratio.

Cooking Social 18+

Cooking Social is designed for adults 18+ living with additional needs or disabilities to learn more about kitchen safety, sanitary practices, food preparation and healthy meal/snack choices. Using recipes and other kitchen tools group will make a food creation for everyone to taste. Each participant will participate in the creation of a cook book to keep at the end of the session. The program is for adults who can participate semi-independently with a ratio of 1 staff to 5 participants.

SwimAbilities

A learn to swim program for children and youth (3-18) who are living with additional needs or a disability and require an adapted swim format. This program has three levels which incorporates the Lifesaving Society Swimmer content, with this course focusing on beginner and intermediate skills. Each participant will be required to have a support person in the water with them.

Skills will be introduced by the instructor to both the support person and the participant in order to practice each skill with assistance and without assistance (where appropriate).

Participants will progress through the skills at their own pace using adapted equipment as required. This program will be scheduled for 1 hour with a 10 minute transition into the water, 30 minute lesson and instruction, and a 20 minute open swim afterwards.

No other lessons or swim programs are scheduled in the pool or on deck at this time to reduce sensory distractions and change room waits.

Sensory Social 3-11yrs &

Sensory Social 12-21yrs

*If additional support is needed for participation, children and youth should bring their own support person, city supplied 1:1 support is not available for this program*

Sensory Social is designed for children and youth living with additional needs or disabilities to attend with their own support person (or family member). This drop-in style program encourages participants to engage in a fun, recreational and multi-sensory, environment. It will include shared time in our community Snoezelenook, and a staff will also have games and activities for participants to take part in with their own support persons when not using the Snoezelenook. Note: Program is 1.5hrs and is meant for 5 people plus each of their support persons. 10-15 mins will be allotted to each person in the Snoezelenook.

Please note:

If you are unsure of program suitability or would like more information email [email protected]

Adapted program registration is completed by the families, support workers or participants online, not by the inclusion team.

Check www.hamilton.ca/recreation for more information on “How to Register” and to view available programs with registration dates.

Each participant will need to contact [email protected] and complete a Individual Accommodation Plan if attending any of the following programs:

Fit Social
Teen Connections
Tween Connections
Cooking Social

Adapted drop-in programming is offered at various recreation location across the city. These drop-in programs are designed for children, youth, adults or seniors living with disabilities or additional needs who benefit from a adapted format program space.

If needed, participants should bring their own support person. Support persons are admitted free of charge.

Browse Adapted Drop-In Programs

Please note, to view specific program, add course name to “Keyword” filter.

The Recreation Division offers trained staff to support children and youth with disabilities or additional needs to participate in recreation programs offered. This service is subsidized by the Recreation Division, at no additional cost to the family or participants (program fees still apply). Support is available for select recreation programs based on resource availability.

Due to high demand, registration spots are limited.

Additional Service Details:

Support staff are scheduled and paired with children/youth participants based on location, program and availability of staff. If support staff is confirmed – they will accompany the participant for the requested program based on the assigned day and hours (all year-round programming and Camp Kidaca).
Increased supervision by a trained, support worker who is dedicated to the care and safety of the participant
Assistance with bathroom, changing and eating
Adaption of programs for all participants
Facilitation and encouragement of friendships and appropriate social interaction.

To request a City Supplied Support Staff, please follow the below steps

Contact [email protected] to be added to our participant or agency email list to receive information on registration details.

Once on the contact list, the inclusion team will send out information via email prior to each session’s registration dates to families, participants and agencies who are on our email list.

Process Steps:

You will receive and email from [email protected] with steps on how to place your child or youth on our Support Staff Request Waitlist (there is a different waitlist per session – Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer). You will be sent copies of all paperwork required (Support Program Registration Form & Individual Accommodation Plan). You will only receive this paperwork and information if you are added to the participant or agency email list.
The inclusion team will review and process all program support request via the waitlist and collect all required paperwork.
Confirmation: The inclusion team will inform you if support has been confirmed and will require you to put a credit on your account for payment of programs.
Registration: The Inclusion team will process your registration, and ensure your support is confirmed.

Note: Step 1&2 MUST be completed in order to process your registration.

Browse all courses including gym, club and aquatics.

Subsidy is available for those who qualify through the Recreation Assistance Program.

If you are new to our programs, create a family account. If you have an existing account, please ensure that all contact information is correct before the registration period.

You may provide your own support person or animal. We welcome support persons or animals who assist participants living with disabilities or additional needs. Support persons or animals are chosen by the participant to provide assistance as required. There are no additional fees charged for support persons or animals.

To ensure the safety and positive experience for all participants, we ask that Support Persons adhere to the following guidelines:

Support persons should have the maturity and knowledge to make decisions and sound judgment relating to the participant’s wellbeing and care.
Support persons may not leave the program/program area with the participant unless permission is received from parent/guardian.
Support persons will provide the instructor with suggestions and input for adapted/ modified programming (if applicable).

To ensure the safety and positive experience for all participants, we ask that Support Animals adhere to the following guidelines:

Service animals are individually trained to carry out tasks for a person with a disability or support their general health or wellbeing
The animal can be readily identified as a result of visual indicators such as a vest or harness

Please note: Generally, support animals will not be permitted in pools and staff will accommodate by provided a designated space on the pool deck in relative proximity to the patron.

Adapted & Inclusive Programming

Participant Accommodation Request

Complete the form to provide our staff the information to adapt the recreation program environment for children, youth, adults or seniors with physical, social, cognitive, communication or behavioural needs.

This form is intended for those who do not require 1:1 support.

Participant Information

Participant Name

Birthdate

Emergency Contact

Emergency Contact Name

Relationship

Phone Number

Accommodation Details

Accommodation Request

Developmental / Learning

ADD / A DHD / OCD / Autism / Delays - Provide any information program staff should be aware of.

Dietary / Exercise Restrictions

If diet needs to be monitored due to a medical condition, please complete an Individual Medical Plan.

Communication & Social Abilities Support Needs

How does the best participant communicate, how can staff help support?

Can ask and respond to questions, follow simple instructions, follow written instruction, visual or picture instruction, group instruction etc.

Please provide additional details

How does the participant feel in the following environments

Questions	Never	Sometimes	Always	N/A
Comfortable in a crowded/loud program environment	Never	Sometimes	Always	N/A
Comfortable in a pool environment	Never	Sometimes	Always	N/A
Comfortable in an outdoor environment	Never	Sometimes	Always	N/A

What are some of the participant’s likes?

ie. gym, sports, active games, craft circle games, swimming.

What are some of the participant’s dislikes?

ie. gym, sports, active games, craft circle games, swimming.

Date modified

February 07, 2025