- sport policies and programs Sport and Social Change City of Kitchener Community Services Department Sport as a Vehicle for Social Change for Persons with Disabilities May 2008 The role of municipal government recreation departments in social change and advancing the right of persons with disabilities to participate - sport policies and programs -community development through sport for all the role of municipal government recreation departments in social change and advancing the right of persons with disabilities to participate - sport policies and programs -community development through sport for all

Inclusion Services and Athletics Presentation Outline Vision and Mission Strategic Directions Roles Goal Policies Inclusion Services and Athletics Programmes and Services Photos Contact information Presentation Outline Philosophy Polices Roles Programmes and Services Photos Contact information City of Kitchener

Department Vision and Mission We are a leader in building and supporting a vibrant community where all citizens enjoy a high quality of life in a safe and healthy environment Mission Together we provide a safe and healthy environment through facilities, services and recreational opportunities to meet the needs of our growing and diverse community Department Vision and Mission Vision We are a leader in building and supporting a vibrant community where all citizens enjoy a high quality of life in a safe and healthy environment Mission Together we provide a safe and healthy environment through facilities, services and recreational opportunities to meet the needs of our growing and diverse community. City of Kitchener

Environmental Stewardship Cultivating Staff Excellence Strategic Directions Environmental Stewardship Cultivating Staff Excellence Complete Communities Effective and Efficient Service Strategic Directions Environmental Stewardship Cultivating Staff Excellence Complete Communities Effective and Efficient Service City of Kitchener

The Community Services Department will: Complete Communities The Community Services Department will: strive to remove barriers related to such factors as age, income, ability and culture that affect residents’ access to and participation in the life of the Community. continue to develop positive relationships with the community that allow staff to respond to the needs of the community. recognize the community’s diverse neighbourhood identities and strive to build pride, engagement and a sense of place. Complete Communities The Community Services Department: Will strive to remove barriers related to such factors as age, income, ability and culture that affect residents’ access to and participation in the life of the Community. Will continue to develop positive relationships with the community that allow staff to respond to the needs of the community. Will recognize the community’s diverse neighbourhood identities and strive to build pride, engagement and a sense of place. City of Kitchener

Roles: Inclusion Services and Athletics Inclusion Services and Athletics sections assist with the identification, prevention and removal of barriers for individuals with disabilities as they access recreation, leisure, and sport services Provide leadership to other organizations, businesses, non-profits and municipalities Roles Community development Inclusion Services and Athletics sections assist with the identification, prevention and removal of barriers for individuals with disabilities as they access recreation, leisure, and sport services Provide leadership to other organizations, businesses, non-profits and municipalities City of Kitchener

Ensure community groups that provide sport and Our Goal Ensure community groups that provide sport and individuals with disabilities are encouraged, supported, and enhanced Ensure participation of persons with disabilities in mainstream activities at all levels Ensure participation in disability-specific activities with provision on an equal basis of appropriate instruction, training and resources Our goal is to ensure Ensure community groups that provide sport and individuals with disabilities are encouraged, supported, and enhanced Ensure participation of persons with disabilities in mainstream activities at all levels • Ensure Participation in disability-specific activities (with provision on an equal basis of Appropriate instruction, training and resources) City of Kitchener

Minor Sport Affiliation Policy Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Policies Minor Sport Affiliation Policy Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee Ontario Humans Rights Code Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 Policies Minor Sport Affiliation Policy Safe and healthy community advisory committee Ontario Humans Rights Code Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 City of Kitchener

Minor Sport Affiliation Policy Requires that “Membership in the group must be open to all residents or ratepayers” and further “ Provide programmes and services that promote lifelong participation are inclusive and accessible to all potential participants at the lowest possible cost and in the most efficient manner”. Requires that “Membership in the group must be open to all residents or ratepayers” and further “Provide programmes and services that promote lifelong participation are inclusive and accessible to all potential participants at the lowest possible cost and in the most efficient manner”. City of Kitchener

Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee Purpose and Scope advises Council and Staff on a broad range of matters related to building and maintaining the health and vitality of this community, in the broadest sense. provide advice concerning policies, programs, services, and other resources offered directly or in partnership with local community associations and other organizations. input on specific community issues and initiatives, as appropriate. Focus : Personal and community safety and crime prevention Access to and equity across program and service areas Issues and impacts related to poverty Local housing issues Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee Purpose and Scope advises Council and Staff on a broad range of matters related to building and maintaining the health and vitality of this community, in the broadest sense. The mandate is to provide advice concerning policies, programs, services, and other resources offered directly or in partnership with local community associations and other organizations. Similarly, Council may request the Advisory Committee’s input on specific community issues and initiatives, as appropriate. The focus includes, but is not limited to, the following areas: Personal and community safety and crime prevention. Access to and equity across program and service areas. Issues and impacts related to poverty. Local housing issues City of Kitchener

Inclusion Services Facilitates the inclusion of persons with disabilities through: Individual Assistance Attendant Care services - Aquatics Personal Attendant for Leisure (PAL) Card Work with community groups, individuals and organizations to develop policies, procedures, training, and practices that support inclusion Identify needs, accommodations required, and solutions to enable participation Manage Sport for Disabled Trust Fund Create more options and opportunities for individuals with a disability to participate in community events, programs and activities. Inclusion Services facilitate the inclusion of persons with disabilities Individual Assistance Attendant Care services Personal Attendant for Leisure (PAL) Card Work with community groups, individuals and organizations to develop policies, procedures, training, and practices that support inclusion identify needs, accommodations required, and solutions to enable participation Manage Sport for Disabled Trust fund creates more options and opportunities for individuals with a disability to participate in community events, programs and activities. City of Kitchener

Athletics Enforce the Minor Sport Affiliation policy Provide assistance to Affiliated minor sport clubs Provide funding for leadership training – part-time program staff and volunteers Identify funding sources for projects, programmes and capital equipment Write letters of support and grant proposals Assist Affiliated sport clubs and Leisure Support Services with development of programmes for persons with disabilities Serve on Games committees Organize annual Athletic Awards Banquet Athletics enforce the Minor Sport Affiliation policy Provide Assistance to Community sport clubs Provide funding for leadership training Identify funding sources for projects and capital equipment Write letters of support and grant proposals Assist with development of programmes City of Kitchener

Nordic Ski for Visually Impaired and Physically Challenged photos City of Kitchener

Boccia and Golf City of Kitchener

Fastrack (Athletics), Lawn Bowling City of Kitchener

Contact Information John Cooper Co-ordinator of Athletics john.cooper@kitchener.ca 519 741-2688 Kelly Steiss Inclusion Co-ordinator kelly.steiss@kitchener.ca 519 741-2226 City of Kitchener Community Services Department P. O. Box 1118 Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7 Fax - 519 741-2723 TTY - 519 741-2385 Contact Information John Cooper Co-ordinator of Athletics John.cooper@kitchener.ca 519 741-2688 Kelly Steiss Inclusion Co-ordinator kelly.steiss@kitchener.ca 519 741-2226 City of Kitchener Community Services Department 200 King St. West, 7th floor Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7 F - 519 741-2723 TTY - 519 741-2385 City of Kitchener