Educational highlights

Parks & Recreation, May, 2005

The National Institute on Recreation Inclusion (NIRI)

Sept. 8-11

La Quinta Resort and Club

La Ouinta, CA

www.nrpa.org/niri

Your participation in the National Institute on Recreation Inclusion will provide you with the tools and techniques necessary to design, implement and evaluate your recreation programs to include all customers, with and without disabilities. Attendees will be able to explore possibilities and learn ways to enhance current programs, as well as learn to best utilize staff and resources. Participants will also get updates on Americans with Disabilities Act issues for playgrounds and facilities as well as recent court decisions.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

From the moment she was born, Karen Gaffney began an incredible journey that continues today. She is the president of the Karen Gaffney Foundation, a non-profit organization. She graduated from St. Mary's Academy in Portland, Ore., and earned a two-year Associates of Science degree from Portland Community College. She successfully swam the English Channel as part of a six-person relay team. Gaffney travels the country speaking to a wide range of audiences about overcoming limitations and about what can be accomplished with positive expectations. She is a tireless advocate for the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in families, schools, the workplace and the community. Gaffney tackles any challenge she faces with determination and commitment, knowing she has limits, but not allowing them to limit her drive to succeed.

EDUCATION

For your convenience, all NIRI 2005 program sessions are identified and divided into the following themes/levels of practice:

Access & Training: knowledge about parks and facilities planning, accessibility standards and guidelines, training needs, tips and techniques.

Management & Supervision: knowledge about managing and supervising the recreation inclusion process including but not limited to: assessment, funding, legal definitions, interpretations and ADA inclusion.

Philosophy & Policy: basic knowledge about the nature of the recreation inclusion process, philosophy, policy and strategy development.

Programs & Services: in-depth knowledge about developing and implementing inclusive recreation programs and partnerships.

SESSIONS AT-A-GLANCE:

Friday, Sept. 9

8:30 am-9:45 am      Balancing Legal Rights vs. Balancing Your
                     Checkbook Beyond Disability--The Other Elements of
                     Diversity (Part I) Building Bridges to Inclusion
                     Accessible Outdoor Recreation

10:15 am-11:30 am    Beyond Disability--The Other Elements of Diversity
                     (Part II) Finding the Funding Through Grants,
                     Collaborations and Sponsorships Removing Barriers
                     to Fitness Environments Inclusion Potpourri

11:45 am-1:15 pm     NIRI AWARDS LUNCHEON
                     KEYNOTE SPEAKER, KAREN GAFFNEY

1:30 pm-2:45 pm      So What Is Inclusion Really?
                     Back In Time
                     Behavior Modication In a Community Setting
                     (Part I) Discovering Connections

3:00 pm-4:15 pm      Developing Inclusion Policies and Procedures in
                     Parks and Recreation Reasonable Accommodations:
                     Concepts and Law
                     Behavior Modification: Beyond Volleyballs and
                     Hula Hoops (Part II) Increasing Functional
                     Programming Using Assistive Technology

Saturday, Sept. 10

8:30 am-9:45 am      Gender and Ethnicity in Experiential Recreation
                     Programming Including Inclusion in your Marketing
                     and Customer Service Plan
                     Tips for Tots Intergration Program
                     Update on Current Accessibility Guidelines

10:15 am-11:30 am    Creating Organizational Culture of Inclusion
                     Funding Inclusion: Models and Strategies
                     Inclusive Play: Going Beyond the ADA Playground
                     Guidelines
                     Inclusion Staff Training: Preparing for Success

11:45 am-l:00 pm     ATTENDEE NETWORKING LUNCHEON

1:15 pm-4:30 pm      A Tale of Two Cities: Moving to Inclusion

1:15 pm-2:30 pm      Understanding Inclusion: Essentials for
                     Administrators and Managers
                     Forum on Legal Issues
                     Partners for Inclusion

3:00 pm-4:15 pm      Promoting Inclusion Using the Benefits Approach
                     Inclusion Training: Learn by Doing
                     Challenges with Teen Inclusion

Sunday, Sept. 11

8:30 am-9:15 am      CLOSING SESSION

9:30 am-12:45 pm     Teaching Golf to Individuals with Disabilities
                     Inclusive Aquatic Programming

For more information or registration, go to www.nrpa.org/niri.>