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.

If you have previously completed an All About Me Profile for a participant, you will be asked to update it each calendar year to ensure the most accurate information.

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 Counsellor for the time and day of the program you request will be secured. When considering recreation experiences, please especially take into account the individual’s needs, 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

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 our Inclusion Support Staff receive training in working with individuals with disabilities but 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

If you are interested in providing your own support person to support the 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

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

If you require support for summer camp programs, please contact Inclusion Services for information.

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.