Parks and Recreation invites individuals of all abilities to participate in our recreation and leisure programs. The municipality is committed to providing safe and accessible programs for everyone to enjoy. We recognize that some of our residents will require assistance to participate via adapted equipment, program modification, and/or through the provision of one-to-one Inclusion support.
Throughout the year, if you or a family member requires assistance to participate, please call your local recreation centre directly to schedule a meeting to discuss available supports. You can also read about other opportunities available through the municipality's Affordable Access Program.
For information on inclusive sport and recreation opportunities throughout the province, check out our Playbook.
Inclusion support procedures for summer camps
All children who require additional support to participate should register under one central barcode (#00068313) halifax.ca/myrec for summer programs. The barcode opens on Wednesday, March 1 at 10 a.m. and closes Wednesday, April 12 at 4 p.m. Please note: The Inclusion barcode is currently closed. The inclusion department is actively working to hire staff to meet the demand. If space becomes available, the waitlist may reopen.
Please be aware that the inclusion barcode is not tied to a specific camp and there are no costs associated with signing up. Having requests for inclusion support submitted through the barcode allows our team to create a list of families interested in inclusion support this summer.
When entering the barcode, you'll see that the location is set at Captain William Spry Recreation Centre, which is our office location. We are taking inclusion requests for all municipal recreation centres and have simply used this location as a placeholder. Once you begin to sign up through the barcode, you will be asked for your first and second choice locations and then you can choose your top three weeks of camp.
Inclusion support procedures for spring 2023
Recreation programs
When registering for your program, please choose “yes” to the question “Does my child need one-to-one support to participate”. Please register at least two weeks before the beginning of the program to ensure that staff can be secured. Please note that availability to offer inclusion support is based upon the ability to find qualified staff.
You will be contacted to do a brief intake to ensure that the staff have the most up to date information about your child and their level of support.
Please note: We do not provide support for personal care during our Fall/Winter/Spring programs (with the exception of full day PD and March break camps). If your child requires personal care, you will need be available to assist them during the program.
Aquatic Programs
If your child requires extra support due to a disability, you will need to register your child for “Inclusion Swimming Lessons”. These lessons are available at all municipally operated pools (Captain William Spry, Needham, Sackville Sports Stadium). These lessons are designed as one-to-0ne and adapted to meet the needs of your child.
To find date, times and barcodes for these lessons, please go to pages 26, 27, and 28 of the aquatics program guide. If the lessons are full on registration day, please put yourself on the waitlist. Lessons may become available. You will be contacted to do a brief intake to ensure that the staff have the most up to date information about your child and their level of support.
Frequently Asked Questions about recreation accessibility & inclusion
- What types of supports do you offer?
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The municipality is committed to providing safe and accessible programs for everyone to enjoy. We recognize that some of our residents require assistance to participate via adapted equipment, program modification, and/or through the provision of one-to-one Inclusion support.
- How do I know if my child will need extra one-to-one support?
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- Is extra support required at school and/or in the community?
- Is extra help required at home for basic care?
- Is there an existing physical, medical, behavioral and/or developmental disability that could affect the safety of the participant and/or other participants?
- Can I arrange to bring our own support person?
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Yes, however we recommend you contact your local Community Recreation Centre to discuss this option further.
- How long does it take to process my request for support?
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Fall/Winter/Spring Programming
Recreation Centres require at least two weeks of notice to conduct an intake and secure the appropriate resources. If you have not heard from your program two weeks before the start date, please call the front desk and request to speak with the coordinator.Summer Programming
Participants must request a spot through the inclusion barcode (00068313). The barcode opens on Wednesday March 1 at 10 a.m. and closes Wednesday April 12 at 4 p.m. Please sign up as soon as possible as some recreation centres fill up quickly. After April 12, you can still sign up through the barcode but will be put on a waitlist and if resources become available you will be contacted by the Inclusion team. - Is there anything that your staff cannot provide?
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Municipal staff are not qualified to carry out procedures such as catherization, tube feeding, suctioning, injections, and/or managing aggressive behaviors. In these cases, we require families to make the appropriate arrangements. Please contact your local Recreation Centre for a full copy of the policy. For program under two hours in Fall/Winter/Spring season, inclusion staff are not able to provide support for any type of personal care. Caregivers need to be available should that need arise.
- Is there a recommended program for those new to recreation programs or who require one-to-one support?
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The municipality is pleased to offer a new inclusion opportunity for children with higher support needs called Ready for Rec. Please visit our webpage or contact inclusion@halifax.ca for more information.
Ready for Rec
Ready for Rec programs are designed for children and youth who have diverse needs and require additional supports to be successful in a recreation environment. The focus is on accommodations, adaptations, and small participant to instructor ratios to support individual skills and learning styles. This program is supported by community partners and is delivered by trained staff and volunteers. Learn more!
More Information
If you require more information on Inclusion, please contact your local Community Recreation Centre or the Inclusion and Access Specialist at Inclusion@halifax.ca.
For information on inclusive sport and recreation opportunities throughout the province, check out our Playbook.