Inclusion Services
We welcome and encourage individuals of all abilities to participate in our services, as well as our parks, recreation and culture programs. We are dedicated to providing accessible and inclusive opportunities for all. We offer both adapted and integrated programs and welcome different types of support to provide participants with an equal opportunity within their chosen program.
All About Me Profile
If a participant has not previously attended a City of Richmond Hill program, you will be required to complete an All About Me Profile on their behalf. This is a confidential document which is used to assess support needs and is only provided to program staff who will be working directly with the participant to be able to best support them in programs.
Once you have completed an All About Me Profile for a participant, you will be asked to update it annually to ensure the most accurate information.
Inclusion Services Membership
An Inclusion Services Membership is required for participants who need additional support and accommodations to participate in recreation programs. The membership will be applied to the ActiveRH account of eligible participants by Inclusion Services staff.
The membership is free and will be renewed on an annual basis. Inclusion Services staff will contact you when it’s time to renew the membership. An updated All About Me Profile will be required to renew the membership.
The membership is required to register for adapted programs as well as to request a 1:1 Inclusion Support Staff.
To apply for a membership, please complete and submit an All About Me Profile for the participant.
How do I know if support is required?
Extra support in our recreation programs may be required if:
- Extra support at school is required
- A disability exists that could affect the safety of the participant or the safety of others
- The participant has a safety plan in place with their educational institution
- Extra support is required at home for basic care
- The participant is currently using a support agency or program
Please understand that Richmond Hill will do its best to find support for you if required; however, it is not guaranteed that an Inclusion Support Staff will be secured for the time and day of the program you request. When considering recreation experiences, please take into account the individual’s needs especially, as recreation integrated settings may not be appropriate for all individuals with disabilities. Richmond Hill’s Inclusion Staff provide 1:1 support to individuals with disabilities and, in accordance with provincial legislation, Richmond Hill’s own policies and in consultation with parents, we may request that an individual with a disability be accompanied by a support person in order to ensure the health and safety of the individual or others involved in our programs.
Support options
Before registering a participant for a program, please consider what type of additional support they may require. Though we endeavour to arrange volunteer and staff support for each participant who needs it, support is based on volunteer/staff availability and is not guaranteed.
| City of Richmond Hill Inclusion Support Staff |
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Richmond Hill provides Inclusion Support Staff for 1:1 support in recreation programs. A limited number of 1:1 support staff are available and we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible to request support. Please be advised that while our Inclusion Support Staff receive training in working with individuals with disabilities, they do not have professional qualifications in this field. This type of support may be required if the individual requires frequent individual instruction/assistance/redirection and may require breaks from the program. |
| External Support |
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If you are interested in providing your own support person for an individual in a recreation program, please contact Inclusion Services immediately. A family member, friend, trained support person or social worker can provide support. External Support Persons must provide an original Vulnerable Sector Screening and a signed Agreement, which will be provided by City Staff, prior to attending a program with a participant. This type of support may be required if the individual requires frequent individual instruction/assistance/redirection and may require breaks from the program. |
| Independent Participation |
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If an individual is interested in participating in a recreation program independently, please contact us to review the program suitability. Individuals participating independently should be able to participate in the program without 1:1 support and require minimal individual instruction/assistance/redirection. |
Summer Camp
Prior to the start of registration, please ensure that the participant has an ActiveRH account with an Inclusion Services Membership.
Below are the support options for summer camp programs. Please review them carefully. If you are unsure which option is appropriate, please contact Inclusion Services to discuss options as soon as possible.
| Option 1 – Participant attends camp with a 1:1 Inclusion Support Staff |
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Requests for 1:1 Inclusion Support Staff open on January 28 at 7 a.m. for Richmond Hill residents and on February 4 at 7 a.m. for non-residents. If the participant requires 1:1 support to attend camp, DO NOT register for camp programs. Please request 1:1 support for your top two choices of weeks ONLY. Requests for your top two choice weeks will be accommodated first. On February 25 at 7 a.m., you may request 1:1 support for as many additional weeks as you would like. Requests for additional weeks will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis. Though we endeavor to arrange staff support for each participant who needs it, support is based on staff availability and is not guaranteed. Once a support staff has been confirmed, Inclusion Services staff will contact you to complete registration in the camp program of your choice and take payment. The last day to request 1:1 support is May 31. |
| Option 2 – Participant attends camp with an External Support Person that you provide |
| Please contact Inclusion Services to discuss this option before registration day. Additional documentation is required that will be provided to you. Register for the camp programs of your choice once registration opens. If you register for a program or transfer programs after May 31, please send an email to inclusion@richmondhill.ca outlining the participant’s name and the name and number of the camp program. |
| Option 3 – Participant attends camp independently with no support |
| Register for the camp programs of your choice once registration opens. If you register for a program or transfer programs after May 31, please send an email to inclusion@richmondhill.ca outlining the participant’s name and the name and number of the camp program. |
Camp AdaptAbility
This camp is specifically designed for teens with disabilities to get the most out of summer, in a safe, encouraging, social and fun environment. Campers will enjoy all the fun that summer camp has to offer while forming friendships, gaining new experiences, and building self-confidence. Games, arts and crafts, sports, swimming, and outdoor experiences make this camp unforgettable. Campers must be able to participate in a group setting with a 1:4 (staff: participant) ratio.
Register for Camp AdaptAbility
The City of Richmond Hill reserves the right to re-evaluate a participant's registration if:
- The participant's needs cannot be safely met
- The participant poses a danger to themselves or others
- Staff are unable to meet the care level necessary for a participant's safe and successful program experience
- The participant's medical, physical or behavioural condition is significantly different to what was disclosed
Other accessible activities
Richmond Hill has adapted fitness equipment including an Armbike, Uppertone machine and MotoMed. This equipment is found at our Ed Sackfield Arena and Fitness Studio.
Crosby Park is an accessible park with a water play area, playground area, trails, sensory garden and game tables.
Funding
There are Special Services at Home Funding available through the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Call 905-868-8900 to find out if you are eligible.
For information about fee assistance for programs, please visit RichmondHill.ca/FeeAssistance
Tell us what you think
Fill out a Recreation Program Feedback Form to let us know what you think about our adapted programs. Your feedback will help us improve our programs, activities and services.
Volunteer
We're always looking for volunteers to help run our recreational programs, activities and special events. Learn how to become a volunteer in Richmond Hill.