The Future of Adaptive Programming — Episode 057

On today’s episode of Open Space Radio, we’re going back to the
2019 NRPA Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, where we met
with Julianne Mills, a program manager for Disabled Sports USA.
Disabled Sports USA is a national leader in community-based
adaptive sports, and has focused on one goal since 1967: To
improve the lives of wounded warriors, youth and adults with
disabilities by providing sports and recreation opportunities.


We chat with Julianne about why inclusive and adaptive
programming is critical to ensuring all people have access to
quality park and recreation offerings, as well as some examples
of unique adaptive programming that she’s seen in her work (such
as the Adaptive Cycling Center at Magnuson Park in Seattle,
Washington, that has a fleet of over 200 adaptive bikes).


We also talk about ways that park and recreation professionals
can implement more adaptive programming at their agencies.
Julianne shares that the best way to get started is to make a
commitment and know that it is possible. She also shares the
mantra, “Do what you do best, and partner for the rest,” as a way
to encourage park and recreation professionals to reach out to
other organizations that can assist in these efforts, like your
local chapter of Disabled Sports USA.


Julianne also shares the various resources available from
Disabled Sports USA, like Adapt2Achieve, which contains free or
low-cost training manuals, webinars and other educational
resources that park and recreation professionals may find useful
in advancing inclusive and adaptive programming.


Other useful resources discussed in this episode:


Find Your Local Chapter of Disabled Sports USA

Free advertising for adaptive sports/recreation events on the
Disabled Sports USA event calendar

Find adaptive equipment

Learn more about adaptive sports

Get a free subscription to Challenge magazine

Adapt2Achieve Training Calendar

Microsoft Soundscape