Building inclusive and accessible communities through play

These moments are more than fun and games. They’re opportunities to connect with other kids and feel a sense of belonging. 

For many kids with disabilities, feeling left out during play is all too common. Across Canada, barriers still limit access to inclusive recreation, life skills, and social programs. That’s why Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and March of Dimes Canada (MODC) are working together to make sure kids with disabilities have opportunities to participate meaningfully.

Programs in a Box is a series of tools designed to help organizations implement Holland Bloorview’s evidence-based, recreational, and life skills programs in their own communities, so more kids can access them. Thanks to the generous support of The Slaight Family Foundation, this partnership is expanding access to life-enhancing inclusive programming for children and youth with disabilities across the province and beyond. 

Challenging the system, the program leverages strengths from Holland Bloorview and MODC to expand access to innovative programming to more kids, whenever and wherever they need them. It’s one of the many ways Holland Bloorview is spreading and scaling programs through Together We Dare, which is raising $100 million to make sure kids with disabilities have access to the latest evidence-based care, programs, and technology.

“For children, youth, and young adults with disabilities living in Canada, this initiative opens doors to meaningful participation,” says Shawna Perkins, Team Lead of Program Integration at Holland Bloorview. “Increased access to programs means more opportunities to build social connections, creativity, physical activity and life skills—all essential to the overall wellbeing of children and youth. Bringing programs to more neighborhoods fosters stronger, more inclusive communities for kids and families.”

To help bring the programs to more communities, the program’s “train-the-trainer” model makes sure partners have the tools they need to deliver the programs independently. One parent says the program opens up opportunities for play and social connection for her son.

“Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of opportunities or places for these kids to really be social. Going to a playground and allowing them the opportunity to run around and engage with other kids is not always available because the other kids really don’t engage with somebody like my son,” they said.

The pilot program, Mind, Body, Mingle, provides engaging opportunities to participate in health and fitness activities while making social connections in a safe and supportive environment. Activities include expressive writing exercises to cultivate self-esteem and compassion, adaptive skills and drills practice using a ball and net to get the body moving, and creating playful pictures at a photo booth alongside peers to foster friendship and belonging.

Mary-Rose Hackbart, senior manager of the Early Learning Program at MODC, says, “the partnership gives us the opportunity to provide these classes to more kids, in more places.” After the success of the pilot program, the organization plans to bring other existing Holland Bloorview programs, including Active Together Social Club, Mind, Body, Mingle, Rec and Connect, the HIVE and artsXpress, to more communities. 

Ealu Li, occupational therapist at MODC, says, “Programs like this are really important because they give children with disabilities an inclusive and safe space where they feel a sense of belonging.”

Thanks to the generosity of The Slaight Family Foundation, we’re able to challenge current ways of thinking and build more inclusive communities. When more kids have opportunities to play, dream and belong—no matter where they are— the possibilities are endless.