Welcome to the SSEPAC Site
Highlights of some Recreational Activities and Resources
We have some links to organizations that provide a lot of recreation activities for children and families with special needs.
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
offers the Universal Access program. Please see their site DCR Universal Access for further information on all their summer and winter activities.
Summer Recreation Fair:
Kick off next summer at Artesani Park in Brighton (Boston) on Saturday, June 5 from 10am – 3pm.
Meet recreation organizations serving people with disabilities in a variety of recreation activities and sign up for summer fun!
Adaptive cycling, equipment demos, refreshments and festivities. Call 617-626-1294 for more information.
All Out Adventures
located in Western Massachusetts with programs in Eastern Massachusetts, provides a lot of outdoor activities for special needs children and their families. They have activities such as kayaking, sailing, bicycling, etc. Please see their site All Out Adventures for further information.
Outdoor Explorations
is an organization that makes the outdoors a welcoming place to people with disabilities. Through their innovative, cooperative, and fun approach, they break down barriers between people with disabilities and the outdoors. Please see their site Outdoor Explorations for further information.
The Hockomock YMCA and their Integration Initiative.
Bernon (Franklin) Family Branch, 508-528-8708; Foxborough Branch, 508-543-2523; Mansfield Branch, 508-339-3066; North Attleboro Branch, 508-695-7001.
Integration Initiative
The Integration Initiative is a program that allows children of all abilities to come together as a group and play. The Hockomock Area YMCA offers a welcoming environment for individuals with special needs. The Initiative is facilitated by YMCA personnel and offers an integrative setting for children with special needs to learn from “typically developing” peer models; and focuses on teaching tolerance, acceptance, mentoring and respect for all children.
The Integration Initiative offers the following programs:
Fun Days:
Teens have opportunities to participate in camps as well as special outings including adaptive kayaking, hiking and skiing.
Aquatics:
Children with special needs love our chlorine free pool. We feature a Mioxx system that is sanitary, yet gentle on the skin. Small group classes are available for children with special needs who are not ready for integrated classes.
North Attleboro Hockomock YMCA
Small group swim classes for special needs
All classes have a 1:4 teacher to student ratio
Little Hoppers- Children 3-8 (with parent) 5:00 - 5:30
Tadpoles I - 8-12 4:30 - 5:00
Tadpoles II- 13-16 4:00 - 4:30
Fantastic Frogs- 16+ 3:30 - 4:00
These programs are for swimmers with disabilities that are looking to grow in confidence and swimming ability, to progress towards integration within mainstream classes.
For more information, contact: Integration coordinator Hockomock YMCA - North Attleboro Branch Jerome Kennedy (508) 643-5266
Challenger Sports:
This will help a child over the age of five work on the skills necessary to participate in typical sports classes while having lots of fun with instructors and volunteers.
Fun-Athlon:
Triathlon training is available for children with special needs over the age of ten. Children will receive instruction on using stationary bikes, walking/running on the track, and lap swimming, all in a fun and supported environment.
Real Deal:
This is a mentoring program that helps teens with and without disabilities connect in a safe environment and is conducted twice a month.
PIT Crew (Personal Integration Trainers)
are volunteers that help ensure the success of the children participating in the Integration Initiative.
To learn more about the Integration Initiative or to volunteer for the P.I.T. Crew, please contact Liz Costantini by phone at (508) 643-5226 or by email at: or Linda Gagnon at (508) 643- 5722 or by email at:
