Rochester Accessible Adventures (RAA) has received a $60,000 grant from the Golisano Foundation to create a dynamic pathway to directly connect individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to active, inclusive recreation opportunities. The Golisano Foundation is one of the nation’s largest foundations dedicated to supporting programs for people with intellectual disabilities.
RAA provides mentored, inclusive training and support to recreation businesses so they can operate with full inclusion every time they open their doors. RAA’s transformative work has resulted in a 450% increase in inclusive leisure choices for people with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities.
“Now, more than ever, our communities must be intentionally responsive to ensure adults with disabilities have access to inclusive leisure,” says RAA Executive Director Anita O’Brien. “We are grateful for this support from the Golisano Foundation that is helping us directly connect hundreds of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to inclusive options to energize positive health, foster independence, and build social connection.”
Navigating a community after the supports of high school end can be incredibly difficult for young adults with disabilities, but RAA is working to create clear, intentional pathways that enhance self-directed leisure and well-being and provide access to the crucial social and physical benefits that occur during recreation and leisure. RAA’s DirectConnect services are responsive to requests from community members, tracking weekly inquiries from individuals, caregivers, and providers seeking resources aligned with their interests.
“We strongly believe our communities need to support equitable access to recreation and leisure by people with intellectual disabilities,” says Erica Dayton, Golisano Foundation Executive Director, “and we are happy to continue to support efforts like those of Rochester Accessible Adventures that remove barriers to access to health and wellness in these pursuits.”
With the addition of a new DirectConnect Coordinator position funded by this grant, RAA invites regional disability service organizations to participate in in-services to connect individuals with I/DD to inclusive recreation opportunities, including those listed in RAA’s new DirectConnect Resource Guide. Individuals with disabilities may access this Resource Guide (https://rochesteraccessibleadventures.org/directconnect- resources/) to discover a variety of inclusive opportunities, including birding, art, nature exploration, fencing, kayaking, cycling, community recreation centers, libraries, canal museums, parks, and more. People will also soon be able to access exciting new training and support to develop self-advocacy skills in leisure and recreation spaces.
For more information about Rochester Accessible Adventures, visit www.RochesterAccessibleAdventures.org.
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