The City of Toronto offers both specialized activities for individuals with special needs or disabilities and support for individuals in standard recreation activities.
Individuals who require 1:1 support due to personal care needs, intense behavioural support and/or medical care to participate in any recreation activity will be required to arrange for an external support staff. External support staff can be agency staff, a family member or a volunteer who is at least 14 years of age. 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.
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 memberships must be renewed every year by resubmitting the Participant Information Package.
All forms provided by City staff must be completed.
Adapted recreation activities are for individuals who have disabilities/special needs and want to participate in activities with others who have similar interests and abilities. Adapted activities:
A current Adapted and Inclusive Services (AIS) membership is required to register.
There are two ways to register for Adapted Recreation:
Visit the Adapted Recreation section for ratio information and activity descriptions.
Inclusive services are for individuals who may require some additional assistance to participate in a standard recreational activity. An Inclusive staff can assist participants by:
A current Adapted and Inclusive Services (AIS) membership is required.
Review additional information about Inclusive Services and Staff in the Inclusive Services section.
Adapted Recreation activities are designed with smaller group sizes.
Staff-to-participant ratios are always maintained in all activities to ensure the safe supervision of all participants.
| 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 |
A 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 activity ratio. Virtual Adapted Arts is also available.
A basic dance activity will introduce participants to a variety of dance techniques. Participants will focus on movement, flexibility, strength and endurance. The activity will combine the influences of lyrical, jazz, ballet, hip hop and modern dance. Participants must be able to function independently within the activity ratio.
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.
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.
Campers take part from their home with family and/or friends. There is no on-site 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 activity 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 the activity start date. Participants use WebEx to connect. Application set-up information and user guides will be provided before the activity’s start dates.
Virtual Adapted Holiday and March Break Camps are also available.
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 activity is for 13 to 29-year-olds with special needs.
This activity offers a variety of activities that may include cooperative games, arts, sports, basic cooking, swimming, physical activity workshops, community walks and drumming. Participants must be able to function independently within the activity ratio. Virtual Adapted Active8 is also available.
An instructional activity with a variety of activities that may include cooperative 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 activity ratio.
A variety of social activities for youth (ages 13 to 29) and adults (ages 19+) that encourage social peer interaction through cooperative 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 activity ratio.
An introductory cooking class for children (ages six to 12) and youth (ages 13 to 29) that focuses on cooking basics and making healthy food choices with easy-to-make recipes. Participants must be able to function independently within the activity ratio.
A variety of modified sports activities allow participants to participate with increased independence, comfort, and confidence while developing sports skills. Sports may include basketball, multi-sport and bocce. Participants must be able to function independently within the activity ratio.
Sledge Hockey is an instructional activity 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.
A drop-in activity 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 served basis.
A variety of modified fitness activities allow participants to exercise and be active through movement in a supported, safe environment. Activities may include yoga and Zumba. Participants must be able to function independently within the activity ratio. Virtual Adapted Fitness is also available.
Designed for individuals with a disability or special needs and their families, this free drop-in activity is a great way to enjoy the pool, practice swimming and have fun following pool use guidelines and supervision requirements.
A progressive activity that encourages swimmers with a disability or special needs to expand their comfort in the water, develop their swimming skills and participate at a level appropriate for their ability. The activity ratio is one swim instructor to three participants. Caregivers may be required to provide one-to-one support in the water.
This activity is for swimmers with a disability or special needs seeking to expand their swimming skills by practicing strokes in a team-based environment. You will also get the chance to showcase your skills during competitive swim meets.
Playing games and having fun is a wonderful way to practice swimming skills. Designed for swimmers with a disability or special needs, structured aquatic games and activities such as water polo, synchronized swimming and aquatic fitness, provide the perfect opportunity to learn and build on basic swimming fundamentals.
There is no on-site 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 activity 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 before the start of the activity.
The Learn to Ski activity will encourage skiers with special needs to increase their comfort level on the snow and promote skill development.
The activity 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 activities that require specialized equipment, contact the Ontario Track 3 Association.
The goal of inclusion is to foster independence so participants are able to attend activities without support.
Inclusive services can be provided:
Inclusive services cannot be provided:
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 assist participants by providing modifications in activity instruction, movement, equipment and communication. They also promote and encourage socialization amongst peers. Assignments of Inclusive staff are based on individual application and availability. There is limited availability of inclusive support staff.
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.