Inclusion services

Girl navigates in wheelchair. (c) BigStockPhoto.

Bloomington Parks and Recreation believes:

Every program is open to inclusion. No exceptions!
Every child and every adult with a disability is entitled to choose to participate in any program.
Every registrant is entitled to an assessment to determine the best inclusion supports.
The family of the participant is the most valuable resource in planning.
Talking with teachers, therapists and friends is critical to enhancing the assessment and planning.
Every issue related to disability can be accommodated with good training, observations and supports.
The benefits to inclusion are endless!

Bloomington Parks and Recreation Inclusion Services are provided to program participants with disabilities who request some kind of support that will allow them to fully participate the programs offered by the Parks and Recreation Division.

How to access services
Helpful hints
Inclusion assessment

How to access services

When registering for a program, check the box on the registration form that indicates you or your child may need support while participating in the program. These registrations will be passed along to the Youth and Family Recreation Supervisor and someone from our division will contact you for more information.
It would be helpful if you would also call or e-mail the Recreation Supervisor at 952-563-8877 or khemp@ci.bloomington.mn.us and indicate that you or your child has registered for a program and would like to have some support while participating.
The benefits to this process become much more efficient as we get to know you or your child.

Helpful hints to find the right programs

Review the current program offerings from Bloomington Parks and Recreation.
Pick out some programs that look like fun.
Set up a meeting with us (in person or telephone) by calling 952-563-8877 or e-mail khemp@ci.bloomington.mn.us
During that meeting, tell us your goals for participation or those of your child (for example: fun, socialization, physical fitness, learning new skills, meeting a friend)
Together we will determine if the goals match with the programs offered.
Get the program details from us
- When do the programs meet?
- What will they do in the program?
- What is the staffing level?
Present your needs or those of your child.
Suggestion: Prepare a personal description before coming to meet with us. State your strengths, interests, areas where you may need support, medical concerns and other important information. Then make a list of people who know your child and their contact information (teachers, case managers, therapists, other recreation professionals, etc). Keep a copy of this for yourself so the next time you want to register for a program, just update the details.
Ask how your concerns will be addressed and how your child will be supported in the program.
Register your child for the programs. On the registration form, check the box that indicates your child may need some support while participating in the program.
From here we will continue to gather information about your child and develop an inclusion plan that meets his or her needs and sets up everyone for success!

Participant profile

To fulfill the needs of the participant and create a successful environment, we are asking for the following participant profile to be completed (see link below). The more information you share with us, the better we will be able to support the participant.

Participant profile (196KB, 6-page PDF)

Please return the participant profile to:

City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation
Attention: Kari Hemp or Sacha Pankratz
1800 W. Old Shakopee Road
Bloomington, MN 55431-3027

For more information, contact:

Kari Hemp, Youth and Family Recreation Supervisor
PH: 952-563-8877, TTY: 952-563-8740
E-mail: khemp@ci.bloomington.mn.us