The FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator oversees the planning, placement, and success of individuals with disabilities in various Member Agency programs. FVSRA encourages people with disabilities to be included as an active part of the community. Inclusion services aim at not only physically including individuals, but also providing adaptations, accommodations, and support necessary to allow for social, mental, physical and emotional inclusion.
Individuals who are interested in enrolling in a Park District program, just check the “special accommodations” box on the program registration form. The park district will then contact the FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator and arrangements will be made. Participants will be in direct contact with the Inclusion Coordinator, as well as in contact with the Park District Staff and Instructors. The ideal amount of time for notification to process and place Inclusion services is two weeks prior to the start date of the program. The sooner the FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator has the information about a request, the better chances are for a successful Inclusion experience.
If you have questions regarding FVSRA inclusion services, contact:
Heather Andersen, CTRS, MS, Inclusion Coordinator at (630) 907-1114, extension 1209
FVSRA Inclusion Implementation Process
Language in the Brochure and on the Registration Information
A statement regarding the American’s with Disabilities Act should be placed in the Member Agency brochure.
Welcoming Language that encourages the opportunity for people of all abilities to participate in any recreation program that is offered should also be used.
A “special recommendation” section should be clearly visible on the registration form in the brochure for individuals who may require an accommodation in order to participate.
Family/Guardian or Individual Registers for a Program at one of the Member Agencies
The special accommodations section has been marked by the family/guardian or individual indication the need for an accommodation.
The Member Agency’s registration form is reviewed by the Member Agency staff and then the form is passed on to the appropriate Member Agency supervisor.
The FVSRA Inclusion Notification Form (The INF) must be completed by a Member Agency staff and faxed or e-mailed to the Inclusion Coordinator at FVSRA at least two weeks prior to the start program.
FVSRA Receives the Inclusion Notification Form (the INF) from the Member Agency Staff
The INF is reviewed by the FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator and the Member Agency Supervisor is contacted within 24 hours or the first day after a holiday or weekend.
The FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator will confirm the receipt of the INF and gather and clarify the specific program information, participant information, staff information and goals that is needed to determine the necessary accommodation.
FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator Communicates with the Parent/Guardian or Individual
The FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator will contact the parent/guardian or individual to confirm the request for an accommodation and verify the registration information.
The FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator will discuss specific information regarding the individual’s disability, skill level, cognitive abilities, social and emotional level of functioning, physical abilities, the goals established by the parent/guardian or individual, and the type of inclusion support that is needed.
Based on the Communication with the parent/guardian or individual, the FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator may request a visit to evaluate the individual’s ability and skill level prior to the start of the program.
The Inclusion Accommodation is Determined
The individual’s disability, skill level, cognitive abilities, social and emotional level of functioning, physical abilities, the goals established by the parent/guardian or individual, and the goals of the program are used to determine the type of inclusion accommodation that is required for the individual.
Inclusion accommodations may include an Inclusion Companion, a sign language Interpreter, adaptive equipment, adapting rules and policies, providing behavior management support, training and other services necessary to include the individual with a disability in the recreation program.
The inclusion accommodation is determined by the FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator with information from the INF, the member agency staff and the parent/guardian or individual. The FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator will hire and train the appropriate Inclusion Companion or Interpreter.
Inclusion Team Communication
The team members include the FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator, the Member Agency Staff, the Inclusion Companion or Interpreter, the parent/guardian or individual.
Once an accommodation has been determined, the FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator will notify the Member Agency Supervisor and the parent/guardian regarding the specific information about the accommodation.
If the accommodation is an Inclusion Companion or Interpreter, the FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator will provide the Member Agency Supervisor with the individual’s name and contact information. The contact information will only be provided to the parent/guardian or individual if it is approved by the Inclusion Companion or Interpreter.
The FVSRA Inclusion Companion or Interpreter will call the parent/guardian or individual to introduce themselves, discuss the level of inclusion support needed and set up a possible meeting prior to the program.
If a meeting between the parent/guardian or individual and the Inclusion Companion or Interpreter is not scheduled prior to the program, the Inclusion Companion or Interpreter will arrive 15 minutes early to the program on the first day to meet the parent/guardian or individual and the Member Agency Staff.
The Member Agency Program Begins with the Inclusion Support in Place
The FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator will make periodic observations to evaluate the success of the inclusion placement by completing the Inclusion Observation Form (IOF) through the time of the program.
The IOF is a triplicate that is used to evaluate the social, physical, cognitive, emotion and behavioral skill level of the individual observed. When the IOF is completed at the end of each observation it will be signed by the FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator and the Member Agency Staff.
A copy of the IOF will be given to the Member Agency Staff, mailed to the parent/guardian or individual and filed at FVSRA after the form is reviewed by the FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator, the Member Agency Staff and the Inclusion Companion.
Communication is ongoing with the Inclusion Team
Inclusion Team meetings may be called by a parent/guardian or individual, and Inclusion Companion or Interpreter, a Member Agency Staff, or the FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator at anytime.
If a team meeting is needed, the FBSRA Inclusion Coordinator will facilitate the meeting by setting it up, preparing the agenda, and contacting all invited parties.
During the meeting questions and concerns will be addressed and an Inclusion Plan will be established.
An Inclusion Plan is a document that identifies the targeted behaviors or individual’s goals addressed by the Inclusion Team. The document identifies how to address the targeted behavior or implement the individual’s goal.
If needed, a re-evaluation date for the Inclusion Plan will be set at the end of the meeting. Communication between the Inclusion Companion or Interpreter and the Member Agency staff should take place at the conclusion of each program regarding the inclusion placement.
Check in calls will be made weekly by the Inclusion Companion or the Interpreter to the FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator.
The Inclusion Grid
The Inclusion Grid documents each inclusion placement detailing the parent/guardian and/or individual’s contact information, disability, program information, the Member Agency Staff contact information, the type of accommodation placed, and the Inclusion Companion or Interpreters contact information.
The Inclusion Grid will be sent to the Member Agency Superintendent at the beginning of each program season. The Member Agency Superintendent will the distribute the grid to the appropriate Member Agency Staff Members.
The Inclusion Coordinator and the parent/guardian or individual will be notified if there are any updates or changes that are made to a program by the Member Agency Staff during the program season.
The Member Agency Staff and the parent/guardian or individual will be notified if there are any updates or changes that are made to the inclusion accommodation by the FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator during the program season.
The final Inclusion Grid will then be sent at the end of the season. If any changes are made throughout the season an updated grid will be e-mailed to the Member Agency Superintendant by the FVSRA Inclusion Coordinator.