WHAT IS ADAPTIVE & INCLUSIVE RECREATION?

With over 120,000 feet of recreation space, which includes over $1 million dollars of cardio and strength equipment, and plenty of fitness, sports, arts and music programming, The Epic recreation center is well equipped for adaptive and inclusive programs, events and activities. Inclusive recreation, also known as adaptive or accessible recreation, is a concept whereby people with disabilities are given the opportunity to participate in recreational activities. Through the use of activity modifications, members are able to participate in most of the activities available for able bodied/minded members.

We define disability as any condition of the body or mind that makes it more difficult for the individual to do certain activities and interact with the world around them. The following is a list of, but is not limited to, disabilities that warrant adaptive and inclusive accommodations:

    • ADD/ADHD
    • Amputation
    • Asperger’s
    • Autism
    • Cardiac Rehabilitation
    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Down Syndrome
    • Injury Rehabilitation
    • Muscular Dystrophy
    • Obesity
    • Spinal Cord Injury
    • Spinal Bifida
    • Stroke Victims
ADAPTIVE FITNESS ORIENTATION (PDF)ADAPTIVE & INCLUSIVE RECREATION PACKET (PDF)ACCOMMODATION & WAIVER (PDF)

ADAPTIVE & INCLUSIVE PROGRAMS

SENSORY FRIENDLY SWIM

Sensory Friendly Swim Night

Special swim night for children/adults with sensory and adaptive needs and their families.
Epic Members: Free
Non-Members: $5 per person

Participants can enter through the VIP parking lot and use our VIP entrance. A pool lift and water wheelchair are available for access to the pools. Depending on sensory sensitivity, water Play features may or may not be turned on. Email us with questions or for special accommodations: [email protected]

Every 4th Friday: 4:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

SENSORY-FRIENDLY SWIM WILL RESUME OCTOBER 25

WIGGLE WEDNESDAYS

Wiggle Wednesdays 

Children of all abilities are invited to enjoy an evening of fun and socializing while exploring a variety of activities in the Epic Art Room. This program strives to create an atmosphere of inclusiveness and adaptivity, allowing any student of any ability to participate in a relaxing and safe environment as a way to explore, play, learn, and develop skills while having fun together.

Ages 4 – 8 years old only, caretakers are required to accompany students.

REGISTRARSE

ARTISM

Children of all abilities are welcome to join us for a series of fun monthly art events tailored to accommodate children with sensory processing sensitivities. Artism is a program that welcomes youth friendly, engaging, and inclusive learning environment. It’s all fun, but they learn, explore, and develop skills while having fun together!

Pumpkin Painting

This month’s Artism event is pumpkin painting! Come get creative and turn a pumpkin into a masterpiece! Pumpkins and a variety of art supplies will be provided, as well as a light snack and refreshment!

Fee: $5 per student participating

Parent/Caregiver required to accompany students.

REGISTRARSE

ADAPTIVE FITNESS

Everyone, including people with disabilities, needs physical activity for good health. Regular exercise can help control weight, improve mental health and lower risk for death, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer.

For the estimated 1 in 5 who have a disability in the United States, it is estimated that nearly half the adults with disabilities do not participate in any aerobic activity. With the Epic’s multi purpose space, tracks and adaptive cardiovascular equipment, we can provide numerous ways to increase aerobic capacity. Examples of aerobic activities for disabled members include walking, water aerobics, swimming, hand-crank bicycling, and various wheelchair athletics. Also, through the adaptive use of free weights and machines, there are many resistance-based exercises to enhance muscular fitness.

ADAPTIVE/INCLUSIVE FITNESS AT THE EPIC

The fundamental concepts for overall fitness still apply to adaptive and inclusive exercise. In other words, we use the same basic protocols to achieve goals. Generally, these include but are not limited to:

  • For weight loss, the participant will burn more fuel than they consume, measured by calories. The reverse is true if weight gain is the goal
  • For strength gain, use resistance bearing exercise the participant lifts more weight than they are used to in order to stress the muscles so that they will become stronger
  • For endurance, perform sustained exercise for longer than participant is used to, allowing for better aerobic and/or muscular performance over time
  • The goal of progression still applies, where the participant shows progress by enhancing performance on the above variables. (Ex: Increasing strength each week)

At the Epic, an initial, free fitness assessment is available for anybody that signs up for one. In this assessment, we will determine a baseline understanding of the member’s health and talk about precautionary methods/accommodations as it relates to disability. Moreover, we will be offering personal training, group fitness, and other fitness classes in addition to our well equipped weight lifting/machine area. We will strive to make all of our fitness areas, programs and services adaptive and inclusive.