Summertime can be a difficult time for children with disabilities. School is out for three months and while children often relish the break from academics, they don’t always enjoy the separation from friends and the accessible programs that school offers. With a little research and planning, though, you can find any number of activities for your child with a disability.
Summer Camps
Every child wants to go to summer camp. Children with disabilities are no different. Fortunately, there are a variety of camps, day or residential, designed to accommodate children with disabilities. Many of these camps have a staff made up of physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses and special education teachers. Students in all of these fields usually act as camp counselors or assist in the daily living and recreational activities of the camp. Not only do the children have a great time, the students gain valuable experience in their chosen fields and the parents get some much-needed alone time.
These camps offer activities such as arts and crafts, swimming, canoeing, fishing and horseback riding, among others.
Some camps offer scholarships to cover the cost of attendance for families in financial need. If you don’t qualify for financial assistance from the camp but can’t afford the entire cost yourself, there are a variety of other ways to obtain help. Contact local churches or other service organizations for assistance.
Easter Seals and Variety Club offer two of the biggest summer camp programs. Visit MySummerCamps for a list of summer camps for children with disabilities around the country and in Canada.
Public Pools and Parks
Most public pools are not equipped for a child in a wheelchair, meaning they aren’t equipped with chair lifts to lower the child into the water. Research pools in your area to find out if they have a lift. If not and if you are financially able to do so, invest in a portable pool lift. This way, you will be guaranteed to be able to take your child swimming in any pool, even on vacation.
If your local pool does not have a lift and you can’t afford your own, consider petitioning the local government to install one. Contact service organizations and individuals to fund raise. Not only will your child be able to enjoy the pool, future generations of children with disabilities will be able to enjoy the benefits of your work.
Public parks and playgrounds are slowly becoming more accessible to children with disabilities. Many have at least one swing that is disability friendly. This simply means that the swing has a supportive, full seat with a lap belt instead of being a simple strip of material between two chains. There are also swings that will accommodate the child’s wheelchair; however, very few public playgrounds have these.
Summer should be a fun-filled time for children with or without disabilities. With a little help from you, it can be.
Megan Abrams - I have lived with the effects of a childhood stroke for more than half my life and offer a uniquely personal perspective on disability.
Join the Conversation