Edaville Family Amusement park has gone above and beyond to accommodate children with autism and/or sensory concerns. They have installed a quiet room for children to access, trinkets to help kids wait in line, and have put in a sensory friendly bathroom.
This is an incredible organization that offers several clinics a year for children and adults with disabilities. They run soccer clinics with the support of St. Michael’s College women’s soccer team and basketball clinics at Castleton State College. The clinics are very well run, safe, and fun!
The Fun Zone offers children a bounce house, obstacle course, inflatable slide, ping-pong, small arcade and toys to play with. It is bright, clean, and wide open which makes it easy to spot your child. It also provides great sensory input on the inflatable objects. Visit The Fun Zone.
This is a wonderful organizations that promotes the arts for individuals with any disability. Through education, trainings, programs, and exhibits they offer a variety of opportunities to enhance the magic of art to all individuals.
“Just for kids pediatric dentistry is hands down the most wonderful place for kids with autism or other special needs. Steve Rayes is calming, patient and aware of the challenges these kiddos face. I was so pleased that they offered accommodations such as sunglasses for the dental light, a quiet waiting area and exam space without me having to request it. It was such a relief and my little guy loves the dentist now.”
Explore more than 140 hands-on exhibits indoors and out, and experience a variety of engaging programs.
The NDAA enhances opportunities and provides support for individuals with physical disabilities who wish to participate in recreational and competitive athletics.
Norwich offers a wonderful Unify Fitness program that occurs throughout the school year. The group will be meeting every Sunday between 2:30 and 4:00. During the meeting time, they will be conducting physical fitness together as well as hosting mentor meetings to set weekly goals for each other to ensure healthy living. This is meant for all abilities and each child is matched with a Norwich cadet. Siblings are also welcome! This program is geared towards 4th grade and older. The program begins September 9, 2018.
Partners In Adventure day camp groups young people, ages 7 through adults, who have disabilities, with their non-disabled peers for a summer camp experience. There are 9 weeks of Summer Camp (four, 2-week and a one-week).
Activities are adaptive and designed by special educators and physical therapists for the success of all abilities and include: horseback riding, swimming, boating, zip line, archery, African drumming and dance, cooking, arts & crafts, science and nature, games, dance, life skills, music, beach parties and more. Each 2-week session will include field trips to a variety of locations.
There is a one-week Winter Camp during February break as well as other activities throughout the year.
Reinbow Riding Center is a therapeutic riding facility located in Shrewsbury, Vermont. Our PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) certified instructors, along with the assistance of many volunteers, provide therapeutic horseback riding lessons for special needs children and adults.
Santa’s Village is a small amusement park located in Jefferson, NH. Yes, amusement parks can be overwhelming for children and hard to navigate if you have a child with special needs. However, this park is small and the employees are wonderful and very accommodating. They also offer a special pass for children with various disabilities. This pass allows children to gain quicker access to a ride without having to wait in line.
Shelburne Farms is a wonderful place to bring your child. At the Farm Yard you can visit with animals, play with toys, or see how they make their amazing cheese. There are also plenty of walking trails to experience. It is generally a quiet place and very spacious.
With the support of the Schip Foundation from Shelburne and Kayla’s Directory there is an adaptive all-terrain stroller that is located at the educational center.
Shelburne Farms is not only a great place to visit for a day, they offer some great camps throughout the year! They do a remarkable job working with ALL kids, regardless of their differences. From the animals, hands on activities, and their delicious bakery; it is definitely a place you want to visit.
Shelburne Farms also has an adaptive stroller to access their grounds!
Shelburne Museum is a wonderful place for the entire family. They have wonderful buildings to explore, beautiful paths to walk, and a wonderful marry-go-round. Every week Shelburne Museum offers a creative art activity for children of all ages. Shelburne Museum does a great job at including ALL children in their activities and facilities. The staff at Shelburne Museum are wonderful and remember they have an adaptive stroller you can access!
Social Adventure Group supports young adults ages 18-29 who have difficulty with social relationships and wish to connect with others. We have a general meeting the 4th Thursday of each month at Vt. Family Network, 600 Blair Park Road, suite 240, south entrance (facing the Superstore) 6:30-8:30pm. The members plan events and play games at the meetings. Some of the events include: movies, dinner, comedy, game nights at people’s homes, theater, biking, Church Street, Anime, mini golf, rock climbing, and more. New members always welcome.
Special Olympics Vermont offers year round sports training and competition opportunities in 13 Olympic-type sports for individuals ages 8+. In 2016, the sports seasons were reorganized into four distinct seasons culminating in four statewide competitions: Winter Games, Summer Games, Fall Games, and Holiday Games.
This is a wonderful opportunity for individuals to participate in sports, make friends, and have fun!
The Special Olympics Young Athletes program is an innovative sports play program for children with and without disabilities ages 2 through 7, designed to provide opportunities for young children to be active, have fun, and learn foundational sports skills. The program supports physical, cognitive and social development — skills important on and off the sports field. It also offers families connections to local Special Olympics Programs. There is no cost for your family for participating. The program offers 1 hour classes that meet for 6-8 weeks throughout the year.
Story Land has teamed up with Autism Speaks to offer a “Sensory Friendly” weekend in September. Many of the staff members at Story Land are getting trained on how to recognize, understand, and act compassionately when assisting families dealing with Autism in the Park. Check out Story Land & Autism Speaks
Stowe Rocks is an indoor rock climbing facility that has both auto-belay courses for kids to climb as well as 8 manual belay sections. The staff that is on site to help is incredible. They are patient, friendly, and great at encouraging kids to climb and take chances!
$26.00 for kids 12 and under to climb for 2 hours.
If your child is not up to climbing they can always take the gondola up to the top of Mt. Mansfield.
Definitely a fun place to visit!
The Green Mountain Lions Camp offers a unique camp experience for Deaf & Hard of Hearing teens and youth. Children with Deaf parents and/or siblings are also welcome! This camp has brought together Deaf and Hard of Hearing kids and teens from all over New England and beyond for over 30 years! The beautiful new location is in Cabot, VT. The new campus has hiking trails, fields to play on, an barn for indoor activities, craft cabin and waterfront swimming and boating! Memories are made and forever friendships are formed all in an environment of total communication access. The primary language used at camp is American Sign Language (ASL) and we guide and encourage new signers to practice and use ASL to foster an environment of access and inclusion.