Accessible Recreation in Delaware
Social Opportunities
Brandywine Social Club
Offers social and educational programs to young adults (20-50 years) with minimal emotional, mental, and physical disabilities. You will participate in life skills instruction, educational workshops, fitness and recreational programs. You may also compete in Delaware Special Olympics in tennis, basketball, bowling, track and field, volleyball, skiing and bocce ball. Planning meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month. They vary month to month depending on member input, but activities include trips to local attractions, sporting events, games, movie nights and dances.
100 West 10th Street, Suite 901
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 571-6975 Kathy Ward
Email: kward@ymcade.org
More information on Bradywine Social Club
Community Connectors
This program is for adults age 18 and older who live or plan to live independently. In the Individual program participants pursue personal interests and become involved in their community. An example of some goals would be joining a sports team, volunteering or taking art classes.
The group program is a wonderful opportunity to build friendships and gain new experiences. Bowling, sporting events, movies, dinners, educational opportunities, the theater and volunteering.
Center for Disabilities Studies
461 Wyoming Road
Newark, DE 19716
(302) 831-6839
Email: connectors@udel.edu
www.udel.edu/cds/initiatives-adults.html
DateAble Dating Service
A unique non-profit social organization for people with and without disabilities who seek new friends and relationships. Serves people in Delaware. Also provides assistance with enhancing members social skills and developing life goals via the telephone or with an appointment.
15520 Bald Eagle School Road
Brandywine, MD 20613
(301) 657-DATE
www.dateable.org
Email: Robert@dateable.org
Delaware People First: ARC of Delaware
A self advocacy group supported by the ARC of Delaware, formed by self advocates who wanted a forum to discuss issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Members meet on a regular basis to learn about policies and developments in housing, transportation, employment and socialization.
People First meets in groups throughout the state. New Castle County meetings are usually held the 4th Tuesday of the month. Kent County is usually the 4th Monday. Often there are guest speakers who are experts in the disability field. Members also plan trips through the year such as, Washington DC, New York City and local theaters to help you grow socially.
Debbie Nock
dnock@arcde.org
www.arcde.org/programsservices/depeoplefirst.asp
Junior Partners in Policymaking
A weeklong summer institute for young adults ages 15-22. The institute is held on the University of Delaware campus where participants live and learn for five nights and six days. During the day, participants are enrolled in fun, exploratory and hands-on classes to encourage leadership and self-advocacy. Evenings offer opportunities for young leaders to meet and enjoy a variety of entertainment together. The week will conclude with a trip to Legislative Hall in Dover. You will meet with legislators and actually use your advocacy skills that were learned and practiced earlier in the week.
A certificate of appreciation, which can be added to your resume or college application, will be distributed at the farewell ceremony after the legislative visit.
To download an application for visit:
www.udel.edu/cds/initiatives-adults-jrpartners.html.
Or call Megan Pell: 302-831-8805
Email: mpell@udel.edu
Or ask your guidance counselor for an application.
Center for Disabilities Studies
461 Wyoming Road
Newark, DE 19702
Tockwogh Camp and Conference Center
24370 Still Pond Neck Road
Worton, MD 21678
410-348-6000
Total Life House Workshops
Adult continuing education program including workshops and seminar series designed for adults with disabilities in Delaware. Ages 18 and up. The Total Life Project offers a unique post secondary educational experience. Through a process of collaboration, project staff will assist participants to explore their individual employment, education and recreation interests while supporting the development of independent living skills including vocational, self-care, self-advocacy, leadership, communication and interpersonal skills. In partnership with project staff, each individual will set personal goals and develop an individualized action plan with the steps necessary to work toward greater independence. Life coaches will play a unique role providing encouragement, instruction, information and guidance to the students as they pursue the hopes and reams they have identified in their person centered plan.An on-campus component is available for students who are interested in developing a person centered plan and receiving personalized coaching while actually experiencing an independent living environment. Located on South College Avenue near the main campus of the University of Delaware in Newark, the house consists of four two-room suites that can accommodate up to five young adults. Students will live in the house for up to two years while working on their goals. One year of support will be available following their transition from the Total Life House into a community living situation of their choosing.
Center for Disabilities Studies
461 Wyoming Road
Newark, DE 19716
To be on the mailing list please contact: dbain@udel.edu
www.udel.edu/cds/initiatives-adults-total_life.html
YMCAs in Delaware
Below is a list of YMCA’s in Delaware and their locations and physical accessibility. Programs designed specifically for people with disabilities are also listed if applicable. www.ymcade.org
Bear Glasgow YMCA
All pools are accessible. The indoor pool and the outdoor lap pool have lifts that can life/lower individuals up to 300 pounds. They are also in the process of obtaining a portable lift that we can wheel to any section of the pool that is rated up to 250 pounds.
They don’t have anyone on staff with a specific adapted physical education certification or inclusive fitness certification. However they do have staff with experience working with people with disabilities. They are looking to train several staff in Adapted Aquatics within the next year.
Most of their equipment is wheelchair accessible. They currently have several members who use a wheelchair and they find it very easy to use the wellness center. They have two cable motion machines that adjust to accommodate any user.
The Bear YMCA offers a group exercise class called L.I.F.E. (Low Impact Fitness Experience) that’s offered 3 days a week that works very well. They are currently serving a few people with disabilities through their personal training program. No programs are available that specifically target those with disabilities. However they have individuals with a wide range of physical impairments and disabilities that participate in the water aerobics classes. As long as an individual can hold themselves steady in the water (with or without flotation) then almost any water exercise can be adapted to their needs.
351 George Williams Way
Newark, DE 19702
302-836-ymca
Hours:
Monday-Friday 5:30am-10pm
Saturday 6am-8pm
Sunday 10am-8pm
Brandywine YMCA
Both indoor pools at the Brandywine YMCA have lifts. The outdoor pool is not accessible. Many of the staff in the wellness department and aquatic department are certified to work specifically with special populations. In addition, they offer regular workshops in both the pool and wellness center for all staff to be better able to work with individuals with physical or other limitations. They also have several staff that use wheelchairs or scooters. They work in the membership department, wellness department and child care department.
Some of the free weight area is accessible. Once pieces are no longer working they plan to replace them with accessible free weights. They have five cardio pieces specifically for persons with physical limitations.
The Brandywine YMCA has an MS class for those with MS in the pool. They also have arthritis classes in the pool. They have a Yes, You Can Program in the wellness center for those with physical limitations where they provide additional help for those who need it. There is a youth adaptive aquatic program for children and young adults with various special needs and they just started a tumbling program for kids with Autism on Saturday mornings.
3 Mt. Lebanon Road
Wilmington, DE 19803
302-478-ymca
Hours:
Monday-Friday 5am-10pm
Saturday 5am-9pm
Sunday 12pm-9pm
Central YMCA
501 West 11th Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
302-254-ymca
Hours:
Monday-Thursday 5:30am-10:15pm
Friday 5:30pm-8:15pm
Saturday 8am-6:45pm
Sunday 10am-6:45pm
Walnut Street YMCA
The Central and Walnut Street YMCA’s have indoor and outdoor accessible pools with a chair lift. There is wheelchair access to their equipment. The water exercise programs are designed for people with disabilities.
1000 North Walnut Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
302-472-ymca
Hours:
Monday-Thursday 6am-8pm
Friday 6am-7pm
Saturday 8am-4pm
Sunday closed
Sussex Family YMCA
The Sussex Family YMCA has only an indoor pool. There is a chair life available. They have several trainers who work extensively with individuals with cognitive/physical disabilities. Each is certified, although not specifically to train those with disabilities. The equipment is accessible. None is designed exclusively for special needs. They do have programs that are designed for people with physical disabilities: arthritis exercise, low impact aerobics, restorative yoga and chair yoga.
105 Church Street
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
302-296-ymca
Hours:
Monday-Friday 6am-9:30pm
Saturday 7:30am-5pm
Sunday 8:30am-4pm
Western Family YMCA
The indoor pool has a removable set of steps in the shallow end while the bubble covered pool has a chair lift. There are three individuals on their water fitness team who are certified by the Arthritis Foundation to lead programs. Most of their strength equipment is accessible to a wheelchair. Their UBE (cardio using upper body) has a removable seat so a wheelchair can slide in.
2600 Kirkwood Highway
Newark, DE 19711
302-709-ymca
Hours:
Monday-Thursday 5am-10pm
Friday 5am-9:30pm
Saturday 6am-8pm
Sunday 10am-8pm
Central Delaware YMCA
The Central Delaware YMCA has two indoor pools. One is kept at 82 degrees and the other is kept at 88 degrees. This permits them to serve various populations with differing physical needs. Both pools are accessible by chair life. They have staff with training in some specializations, i.e. working with senior citizens, arthritis and cardio rehabilitation. There is wheelchair access to the wellness equipment. There is a limited amount of universal equipment that would be accessible for those that use wheelchairs. Water exercise programs are available for people with range of motion limitations. They are in the process of developing an adaptive program for those that suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, stroke or other injuries and illnesses that affect physical coordination or cause physical deterioration. Currently, they are making two restrooms into family/special needs changing rooms.
1137 South State Street
Dover, DE 19901
302-674-2906
Hours:
Monday-Friday 5:30am-9pm
Saturday 7am-4pm
Sunday 10am-4pm
