Play in the Cedar Valley

The Together We Can initiative seeks to raise awareness in our community that everyone likes to play!  Playing is the most precious expression of our freedom.  We all do things in our spare time for the enjoyment or the satisfaction it brings us.  As we gain new experiences, our play and leisure time preferences and interests expand.
Inclusive play means active participation with “typical” peers, young or old, in preferred activities. The ADA mandates that recreation programs must provide accommodations for people with disabilities to give them the same enjoyment and success as those without disabilities.

When people play together, friendships develop in the midst of having fun. Recreation experiences that embrace inclusion allow for the growth of meaningful relationships between all people (with and without disabilities). It is only through these friendships that stereotypes and stigmas can be eliminated.

Even organizations and businesses with the best inclusive service practices and a welcoming atmosphere can be intimidating to a person with a disability. Through better understanding of the barriers faced by individuals with disabilities and the challenges that these barriers present, organizations are recognizing the need to include everyone, Together We Can!

For more information on how programs who provide recreation services can become more inclusive, contact the YMCA of Black Hawk County, Susie Lund, Together We Play program at 319-233-3531.