Sports and Recreational Activities for Special Needs Children
SRASNC is a new initiative by All Sports Alberta Foundation. This initiative will pave way to plan and develop recreational and sports activities for children with special needs from all sections of the society. This will include but not limited to children with:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Physical Handicaps
Care givers presence during these activities along with volunteerism from participating families will be essential.
Special need is a developmental challenge for a child in areas of academic learning, physical, emotional and social growth. Special need is not limited to academic growth only. Some of these challenges are developmental but others are incremental due to lack of resources and opportunities as well as limitation imposed due to system barriers, parental worries, burn out and lack of accessibility to appropriate resources.
The ultimate outcome is an increasing burden on the individual, the family and the society. It is therefore imperative that we make all out efforts to create opportunities for safe social, emotional and physical growth of these children.
Some communities have a larger cumulative burden due to stigma and lack of awareness about available resources.
Through this effort, we are trying to provide a safe learning environment for all children of our society, irrespective of who they are. We will try to secure resources for them as much as possible to reduce the financial & emotional burden on the parents and care givers.
Like children with special educational challenges who need Individual Program planning, we will make an effort to create an individualized learning plan for recreational and physical learning of these children which are achievable within our resources.
Every child has the right to enjoy the fun of playing sports that he or she likes and have the company of people who will share that joy with them. These may be simple acts such as being able to throw the ball or catch a ball. Run from point A to B while other applaud that effort. Simple act of coming out once a month to do something together with a group can fun and a simple achievable social developmental goal.
About “All Sports Alberta Foundation”:
It is Not for Profit Organization created by Muslim Community in Calgary in March 2018 for creating sporting opportunities for all children. We also support activities for women, seniors and men where needed. We subsidize those children whose families cannot pay. We believe that no child should be left behind due to lack of resources.
HERE ARE SOME RESOURCES
Inform Alberta has put out links to many sites that people can access to support children with special needs. Here is the main link, followed by an access link to different resources:
Inform Alberta Link
| Accessible Recreation and Leisure Opportunities Provided by: VecovaCalgary 3304 33 Street NW 3304 33 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 2A6 403-284-2231 |
| Adapted Skiing and Snowboard Instruction Provided by: Canadian Adaptive Snowsports – Alberta AssociationPercy Page Centre 11759 Groat Road NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5M 3K6 780-427-8104 |
| Adaptive Equipment and Exercise for Persons with Disabilities Provided by: Repsol Sport CentreRepsol Sport Centre 2225 Macleod Trail S, Calgary, Alberta T2G 5B6 403-233-8393 |
| Amputee Sports and Recreation Provided by: Alberta Amputee Sports and Recreation AssociationCalgary Zone and Area Calgary, Alberta T2P 2M5 |
| Barrier Free Recreation and Sport Facility Provided by: Calgary Rotary Challenger ParkPark Place Centre 3688 48 Avenue NE, Calgary, Alberta T3J 5C8 403-250-2707 |
| Between Friends WESOAR Programs Provided by: Between FriendsCentre 89 8989 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, Alberta T2H 0M2 403-269-9133 |
| Little League Baseball For Physically / Developmentally Challenged Young People Provided by: Calgary Challenger Division Little League BaseballPark Place Centre 3688 48 Avenue NE, Calgary, Alberta T3J 5C8 403-560-9932 |
| Programs and Services for Children with Cerebral Palsy Provided by: Calgary Cerebral Palsy AssociationCalgary 7015 Macleod Trail SW 7015 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, Alberta T2H 2K6 403-205-4935 |
| Sailing Classes and Leisure Sails Provided by: Disabled Sailing Association of AlbertaSouth Glenmore Park 8415 24 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta T2V 2X3 403-225-8050 (Main Office / Business Manager) |
| Special Olympics Programs Provided by: Special Olympics CalgaryCalgary 2180 Pegasus Way NE 2180 Pegasus Way NE, Calgary, Alberta T2E 8M5 403-735-1022 |
| Sports, Recreation and Public Education Program for the Blind Provided by: Alberta Sports and Recreation Association for the BlindCalgary 10 11A Street NE 10 11 A Street NE, Calgary, Alberta T2E 4Z3 403-262-5332 (Calgary) |
| Visually Impaired Cross Country Skiing Instruction Provided by: Ski For Light CanadaCalgary Zone and Area Calgary, Alberta T2P 2M5 403-242-8325 (Brian McIvor) |
| Wheelchair Basketball – Intramural Provided by: Calgary Grizzlies Wheelchair BasketballMount Royal University – Lincoln Park Campus 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary, Alberta T3E 6K6 403-614-1000 |