Our specialized programs are for individuals with disabilities who want to be involved in recreational activities with other people who have similar interests, abilities and needs in a safe and positive environment. These programs are designed with smaller group sizes.

To access Adapted and Inclusive Services (AIS) you need an AIS membership. If you have never used adapted and inclusive services before, contact the hotline at 416-395-6128 at least four weeks before registration. We will assess your needs and if possible provide you with an AIS Membership.

AIS Membership Process

  1. Call the hotline to ask about our membership and services. During the phone call, staff will provide information about the programs and/or services they offer, complete a contact form, and will email or mail you a detailed Participant Information Package.
  2. Complete the Participant Information Package and return it to AIS. Staff will contact you to let you know the package was received.
  3. An in-person meeting will be scheduled to obtain additional information. This will assist staff in providing suggestions to you regarding appropriate programs and/or services. If required, a visit in a social environment (e.g. school, program or public setting) may be requested.
  4. Staff will review the information gathered from the visit and program recommendations will be provided. Once selection of programs are determined, an AIS membership will be issued.

All forms provided by City staff must be completed.

Register for Programs

Go to the FUN Guide or eFun to find barcodes for all programs, including AIS.

To use AIS:

  1. Register for the recreation program of your choice:
  2. Request an Inclusive Staff to provide support in general recreation programs. Request for Inclusive staff is done by using the appropriate barcode through eFun.

Review additional information about Inclusive Services and Staff in the Inclusive Services section.

Safety Supervision

Staff-to-participant ratios are always maintained in all programs to ensure the safe supervision of all participants. Adapted Recreation programs are designed with smaller group sizes and for participants who have a current Adapted and Inclusive Services (AIS) membership.

Age Ratio (Staff:Participant)
Four to five years (Early Child) 1:2
Six to 12 years (Child) 1:3
13 to 29 years (Youth) 1:5
19+ years (Adult and Older Adult) 1:8

Adapted Arts

Review a list of available Adapted Arts programs.

Arts

Variety of general arts and crafts are done using various materials including paints, markers and crayons. Participants must be able to follow verbal and visual instructions and function independently within the program ratio. Virtual Adapted Arts programming is also available.

Dance

Basic dance program will introduce participants to a variety of dance techniques. Participants will focus on movement, flexibility, strength and endurance. The program will combine the influences of lyrical, jazz, ballet, hip hop and modern dance. Participants must be able to function independently within the program ratio.

Adapted Camps

Review a list of available Adapted Camps.

CampTO Explore

Adapted Camp TO Explore provides campers a chance to make friends while taking part in arts, games and sports activities. A workshop, a local trip or a visit from a special guest will add to the excitement.

CampTO Plus

Adapted CampTO Plus is a fun and creative experience. Campers will develop or fine-tune their skills in specialized areas of interest while also enjoying games, arts and sports. A workshop, a local trip or a visit from a special guest will add to the excitement.

Virtual Adapted Camp

Campers take part from their home with family and/or friends. There is no on-site program/participation. Creative and active fun activities are led by qualified staff and may focus on science, storytelling, crafts, games, dance, cooking, and/or music activities.

This program will also focus on social skills and staying active through movement and may include theme days. Some activities may require guardian support.

There will be three 45-minute sessions throughout the day, schedules will be provided to participants before program start date Participants will be connecting to the virtual platform by WebEx. Application set up information and user guides will be provided prior to the program start dates.

Virtual Adapted Holiday and March Break Camps is also available.

Adapted Counsellor in Training

Adapted Counsellor in Training will introduce participants to the fundamentals of being a City of Toronto Camp Counsellor. Participants will learn about program planning and working with campers in an interactive environment. Participants will also get the opportunity to do a supervised practical placement in a City of Toronto summer camp.

This program is for 13 to 29-year-olds with special needs.

Adapted General Interest

Review a list of available Adapted General Interest Programs.

Active8

  • 19 years old+
  • Once per week
  • Weekday
  • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Nine weeks

This program offers a variety of activities that may include: co-operative games, arts, sports, basic cooking, swimming, physical activity workshops, community walks and drumming. Participants must be able to function independently within the program ratio. Virtual Adapted Active8 programming is also available.

Adapted Recreation

  • Ages:
    • children (ages six to 12 years old)
    • youth (ages 13 to 29 years old)
  • Once per week
  • Three hours per session
  • Nine weeks

An instructional program with a variety of activities that may include: co-operative games, arts, sports, basic cooking, swimming, community trips and special guests. Participants must be able to follow verbal and visual instructions and function independently within the program ratio.

Adapted Social

A variety of social activities for youth (ages 13 to 29) and adults (ages 19+) that encourages social peer interaction through co-operative games, arts, sports and theme nights. There will be a cost associated with some of the outings. Participants must be able to follow verbal and visual instructions and function independently within the program ratio.

Cooking

Introductory cooking class for children (ages six to 12) and youth (ages 13 to 29) that focus on the basics of cooking and making healthy food choices with easy to make recipes. Participants must be able to function independently within the program ratio.

Adapted Sports

Review a list of available Adapted Sports programs.

A variety of modified sport programs that allow participants to participate with increased independence, comfort, and confidence while developing sports skills. Sport programs may include: basketball, multi-sport and bocce. Participants must be able to function independently within the program ratio.

ParaSport: Sledge Hockey

Sledge Hockey is an instructional program geared towards participants with or without disabilities and with little or no experience playing the sport. Participants are seated in a two-bladed sledge; they use sticks with picks on one end for propulsion and curved blades on the other end for shooting.

A CSA approved hockey helmet and full hockey gear must be worn. Participants must be able to load themselves into the sledge or provide their own personal support.

ParaSport: Wheelchair Basketball

A drop-in program for youth (ages 13 to 29) to scrimmage or play basketball in an unstructured environment. Sports wheelchairs are available on site, if needed on a first come first serve basis.

Adapted Fitness

A variety of modified fitness programs allow participants to exercise and be active through movement in a supported safe environment. Programs may include: yoga and Zumba. Participants must be able to function independently within the program ratio. Virtual Adapted Fitness programs are also available.

Adapted Swim

Review a list of available Adapted Swim: Drop-In and Adapted Swim: Instructional programs.

Leisure Swim

Adapted Leisure Swim is a drop-in opportunity designed for participants with a disability and their caregivers, family members and/or personal care attendant.

Learn to Swim

Adapted Swim is a progressive program that encourages participants with a disability to increase their comfort level in the water, develop their swimming skills and participate at a level appropriate for their ability. The program ratio is one swim instructor to three participants. Caregivers may be required to provide one to one support in the water.

Adapted SPLASH Club

This program is designed for participants with a disability to enjoy the pool, increase their comfort level and swimming capabilities and to socialize in an aquatic setting.

Virtual Adapted Recreation

Visit the Virtual Recreation section on eFun

Participants take part from their home. There is no on-site program/participation. Creative and active fun activities are led by qualified staff and may focus on fitness, crafts, BINGO, games, dance, cooking, and/or music activities. This program will also focus on social skills and staying active through movement. Some activities may require guardian support. Participants are emailed a list of supplies they will need prior to the start of the program.

Adapted Ski Program

The Learn to Ski program will encourage skiers with special needs to increase their comfort level on the snow and promote skill development.

Program will align with the skier’s ability and focus on fundamental movements and necessary skills to learn how to ski and refine skiing abilities and skills while ensuring that an adequate level of support is being provided.

For adapted ski programs that require specialized equipment, please contact Ontario Track 3 Association.

Inclusive services are for participants that may require some additional assistance in order to participate in standard recreation programs.

The goal of inclusion is to foster independence, so participants are able to attend programs without support.

Inclusive services can be provided:

  • for up to a maximum of two weeks per child for summer camps city-wide
  • for one recreation program during each of the following seasons:
    • fall
    • winter
    • spring

Inclusive services cannot be provided:

  • for evenings and weekends in the summer
  • in cases where participants require 1:1 support for behavioural, personal or medical care

For 1:1 support, participants will be requested to provide their own support worker/family member/volunteer. People who bring their own support person must let staff know and complete the external support agreement. For more information, call the hotline at 416-395-6128.

Inclusive Staff

Inclusive staff assist participants by providing modifications in program instruction, movement, equipment and communication. They also promote and encourage socialization amongst peers. Assignments of Inclusive staff are based on individual application and availability.

Inclusive staff’s interaction with the participant will differ depending on the needs of the participant. Support may include assistance with instructions, assistance with complex activities or assistance with turn-taking.

Inclusive staff only assist in the washroom by providing verbal prompts, assisting with buttons, minimal dressing assistance and washing hands.

Inclusive staff encourage as much independence as possible.