Inclusion Services through SOAR

• Inclusion provides an opportunity for individuals of varying abilities to experience recreation programming within their community. SOAR, the City of Bloomington and the Town of Normal Parks & Recreation Departments will work closely with the participant and family to provide enriching recreational experiences in the least restrictive environment while maintaining safety and confidentiality

What Services We Offer

• Observations
• Additional Staff Support (Inclusion Aide)
• Activity Modification
• Adaptive Equipment
• Staff Training
• Individualized Resources (sensory tool kit, behavior plan, visual schedule, communication board, etc.)

Requesting Inclusion Services

• Inclusion services can be requested through your recreation department at the time of registration. To indicate this request, you can either include it on your registration form, mention it verbally if registering in person, or send an email with this request to the email address provided. Once registration is complete, SOAR will then contact families for further information. Please note: You must request inclusion services each time you register for a program.

• Inclusion Request Form

Timeline for Services

• We aim to evaluate the inclusion form within one week of receiving the request for inclusion services. Once completed, the average time to determine and coordinate accommodations is two weeks.

**Due to the volume of inclusion requests and limited staff, Inclusion Aides are not always guaranteed**

• For more information, please contact Taylor Burlingame at tburlingame@cityblm.org or call the City of Bloomington Parks & Recreation Department at (309) 434-2260

Inclusion FAQs

• What is inclusion?
  • Inclusion is the process of including all individuals, regardless of their abilities. Recreation is a right, and inclusion is the process of providing support, adaptations and training to ensure that individual needs and desires for participation are met in ways that are reasonable, safe, and do not fundamentally alter the nature of the recreation program or activity.
• Who qualifies for inclusion services?
  • Any individual who registers for a recreation program through the City of Bloomington and/or Town of Normal Parks & Recreation Departments and has a need for inclusion services. Individuals must meet the essential eligibility requirements of the program for which they are interested in registering. Requirements may include, but are not limited to, age, skill level, voluntary participation, etc.
• What is the cost of inclusion services?
  • SOAR provides all inclusion services at no cost to the individual.
• What accommodations are available?
  • Accommodations can include: observations, additional staff support (inclusion aide), activity modification, adaptive equipment, staff trainings and individualized resources (sensory tool kit, behavior plan, visual schedule, communication board, etc.)
• What is an inclusion aide?
  • An inclusion aide is a SOAR staff member who serves as a 1-on-1 aide for a participant with a special need at a recreation program. Aides reinforce the recreation leaders’ instructions, encourage peer interactions, and emphasize the fun of recreation. Duties include adapting activities, following inclusion or behavior plans, maintaining a safe environment, and promoting success in a program. While every effort is made to secure staff with special education and/or background of working with individuals with disabilities, aides may have limited experience.
• What programs can I receive inclusion services for?
  • Any recreation program offered through the City of Bloomington and Town of Normal Parks & Recreation Departments.
• How do I request inclusion services?
  • Inclusion services can be requested through your recreation department at the time of registration. To indicate this request, you can either include it on your registration form, mention it verbally if registering in person, or send an email with this request to the email address provided. Once registration is complete, SOAR will then contact families for further information. Please note: You must request inclusion services each time you register for a program.
• Inclusion Request Form