- Solicit consumer/client input.
- Work with community agencies, advocacy groups, parks and recreation advisory boards and disability advisory committees if possible. If none exist, create one.
- Develop an inclusion philosophy and mission.
- Consider professional resources such as the National Therapeutic Recreation Society and the National Institute on Recreation Inclusion.
- Make inclusion a part of your department mission or vision statements.
- Develop an Inclusion Team or Committee within your department or municipality.
- When creating an inclusion process or procedure, clarify other programming policies and fees and charges procedures.
- Budget for staff training as well as program expenses.
- Create and follow a comprehensive marketing and public relations strategy regarding access and inclusion.
- Include disability, ADA, or inclusion statements in all job descriptions, publications, staff manuals, facility and operational guides, and service contracts.
- Integrate and/or cross-train inclusion or therapeutic recreation staff and general recreation staff.
- And remember, the Americans with Disabilities Act is a minimum standard in regards to accessibility. Inclusion is much more.
* Thanks to the City of Las Vegas, Nevada - Adaptive Recreation Division and the City of Boulder, Colorado - EXPAND Program for sharing materials and resources on Therapeutic Recreation and Inclusion. This model of Inclusion has evolved from these and other programs.