During this year’s National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association (HISRA) is advocating for the inclusion of people with disabilities in diversity and equity conversations in central Illinois.
HISRA provides special recreation services year round through the Peoria, Chillicothe, and Washington park districts. Executive director Katie Van Cleve said HISRA is an extension of what the park districts do every day.
“Those park districts have come together and said, not only do we just want to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, but we want to make sure that folks in our communities with disabilities are fully included to the largest extent possible in activities and recreation options for them,” said Van Cleve.
She also said this awareness month is an important step in history.
The Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA was passed in 1990. Van Cleve said people with disabilities were not protected by federal law until after many other civil rights goals were reached.
“Each individual out there, if they just took time to get to know the folks in their community, and became a part of that conversation, I think it would have a huge impact in our community to become one that is truly more inclusive,” she said.
HISRA is currently working with the Peoria Park District on constructing accessible playgrounds for children with all disabilities. Van Cleve said the playgrounds will incorporate physically-accessible elements as well as sensory-friendly activities to ensure the inclusion of all children.
“People with developmental disabilities are the largest minority group in the country,” she said, “and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is really about letting people know that this group of citizens exists, and raising awareness and acceptance of people who are different from ourselves.”
HISRA has hosted a variety of events throughout March, and is finishing out this year's celebration with a waffle bar event on April 1. More information on how to volunteer, apply for jobs, or participate in activities can be found at www.hisra.org.
