Specialized Recreation
Specialized Recreation Services is made up of the Special Populations, Visually Impaired, and Hearing Impaired Programs. These programs provide separate and integrated recreational programs as well as accommodations for all individuals with visual and hearing impairment, and developmental and physical disabilities.
Funding is provided by the City of Raleigh and Wake County Human Services, thus allowing the program to extend services throughout Wake County without the additional non-resident fees.
Youth Program: Serves children, birth to 16 years of age, with developmental and/or physical disabilities. The programs offered include preschool fitness, youth social club, summer camp, sports, and adventure programs. Most programs are run on a 1 staff to 4 participant ratio. Jennifer Tabery (919) 807-5402
Adult Program: Serves adults 17 years and older with developmental and/or physical disabilities. The programs offered include sports, fitness, leisure education, arts and crafts, special events, life skills, trips and summer camps. Programs are geared toward different ability levels. Most programs are run on a 1 staff to 4 participant ratio. Meredith Jackson (919) 807-5401
Aquatics Program: Serves individuals all ages with developmental and/or physical disabilities. The programs offered include aquatic therapy, exercise, swim skill development (beginner to competitive swimmers), recreation, water adjustment skills, and year round swim lessons. Individual goals are set for participants in order to plan appropriate classes for specific ability levels. Classes are taught on an individual or small group (1:2 or 1:3) basis, depending on specific needs of the participants. Stephanie Stancil (919) 807-5400
Special Olympics Wake County: Special Olympics is a non-profit organization sponsored by The City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department. This program offers sports training and competition for individuals with developmental disabilities ages 5 and up at no cost to the athletes. Training is provided in 18+ seasonal sports annually. Brian Philpot (919) 807-8378.
Visually Impaired Program: The Visually Impaired program provides activities to individuals with visual Impairments who seek to increase awareness of recreational and leisure opportunities as well as the use of available community resources. Participants are encouraged to utilize these opportunities to become more fully integrated into community life. Activities are available to all those who are in any way visually impaired, so one does not need to be legally blind to participate. A comprehensive program is available to all age groups, from preschool through senior citizens. Programs include family activities, arts and crafts, athletics, physical fitness, dance, aerobics, cooking classes, cultural arts, music, and day and multi-day trips. Transportation is provided within the city limits to facilitate this program; however participants are encouraged to make use of individual, private, public, and volunteer transportation whenever possible. Bi-monthly newsletters are available in standard print, large print, Braille, and audio tape. Please contact Christine Cummings (919) 807-5403 to be added to list mailing list.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program: The Deaf and Hard of Hearing program offers a variety of activities to individuals with hearing impairments, as well as sign language classes to the general public. Programs offered include social outings, day trips, sports, fitness, and arts. A quarterly newsletter is available; please call to be added to the mailing list. Bettie Ittenbach (919) 807-5404.
For More Information Contact:
Christopher Frelke, MSRA,CPRP
Program Director, Specialized Recreation services
Parks and Recreation Department
2401 Wade Ave
Raleigh, NC 27607
919-831-6835
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