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"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." - Special Olympics Oath

Special Olympics is a year-round program offering a lifetime of learning through sports. Special Olympics believes that every person should have the opportunity to participate in sports training and competition. Its goal is to ensure that every person with mental retardation, eight years of age or older, is given that chance. Phoenix Special Olympics, Maricopa Area, offers a wide variety of programs in more than a dozen Olympic sports so athletes may choose those most suited to their interests and abilities. It's one of the largest area programs in the nation!

To be eligible to participate… in Special Olympics, you must be at least eight years old and be identified by an agency or professional as having one of the following conditions: mental retardation, a cognitive delay, or a significant learning delay. You also need a current, complete Special Olympics physical form and a Parent/Guardian release.

Sports tournaments offered

Bowling Basketball Roller Skating Bocce Ball

Soccer Golf Power lifting Super Special (Motor Activities)

Floor Hockey Aquatics Softball

Equestrian Volleyball Track & Field

On-going training and conditioning programs offered

Bowling League Golf Clinic

Aquatics Clinic Motor Activities Training

Roller Skating Clinic

For more information please call 602-495-7237 (Voice), or FAX 602 262-7333

CONTACT US
or E-mail to: phyllis.kelly@phoenix.gov

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I have cerebral palsy. I have a wheelchair. I learned that people's differences or backgrounds don't matter when you're out in the middle of nowhere. Everyone is on equal ground. I would like to say those were the best seven days of my life. -Mandy H., River Rampage participant

Shooting the eight foot rapids on the San Juan River!

River Rampage is an outdoor adventure program for young people who face significant life challenges. It's run by the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, with additional support from River of Dreams, a non-profit organization. Weeklong trips are offered each summer under the supervision of ARS staff and volunteer mentors. River Rampage Teen Application (110kb pdf Acrobat) River Rampage Teen Application - Spanish (126kb pdf Acrobat) River Rampage Volunteer Application (219kb pdf Acrobat)

On each trip, half of the teen participants have significant disabilities such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, head injury, blindness, deafness or Down syndrome. The others are youths deemed to be at risk for reaching their full potential. Their challenges have included homelessness, poverty, histories of gang or substance abuse, and lack of family support. The trips are a model for teaching youths to appreciate diversity so each trip includes young people of various cultures, economic status and ability levels. Evaluation results have shown the dramatic benefits received by River Rampage participants. There is no cost for participation -- each teen earns their trip by contributing volunteer service in their community. For more information, or to request application forms for teen participants or volunteer adult support staff, please contact River Rampage staff at 602-534-5681 (Voice), 602-534-2491 (TTY),

CONTACT US
or E-mail to: rick.johnson@phoenix.gov

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	Mainstream Expeditions
One day on the trip we were just floating along and everything was so vibrant and breathtakingly beautiful and perfect, and I thought about how lucky we really are. I mean, you get home and you have to deal with your disability, but when you're on the river in the Canyon, all that disappears and you just think: it's a wonderful life no matter how you have to go through it. -Susan Y., Mainstream Expeditions rafter The nation's natural environment is the birthright of all citizens, but too often it is reserved only for those who can reach it on foot. In the fall of 1991, the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, with additional support from River of Dreams, a non-profit organization, co-sponsored the first National Park Service-sanctioned Grand Canyon raft trips for people facing significant disabilities. This project has brought the Canyon to life for hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts who previously were excluded from commercial river trips. Their challenges have included cancer, cerebral palsy, paraplegia, quadriplegia, severe closed head injury, spina bifida, post polio syndrome, neurological disorders, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cognitive disabilities, and visual and hearing loss. Trips are offered each year, spanning one to two weeks and up to 225 river miles through pristine wilderness and some of the highest rated whitewater rapids in the country. The trips have paved the way for inclusive, accessible outdoor adventure opportunities, and have provided a dramatic example of what people with disabilities can do, given the chance. I feel like I am on another planet with all the magnificent colors and the nice people. They speak my language and last night we slept under the stars. I am thinking about living here! Jeremy H., Mainstream Expeditions rafter For more information, or to request application forms for participants or volunteer support staff please call 602-262-4543 (Voice), or 602-534-2491 (TTY)

CONTACT US
or E-mail to: linda.tuck@phoenix.gov

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	Accessible Golf
Did you know that every City of Phoenix Public Golf Course offers SoloRider golf carts which means new accessibility for golfers? Don't be left behind. Continue to enjoy the game of a lifetime. The SoloRider golf cart enables golfers to enjoy the game of golf by offering:  A 350 degree swivel seat to provide ease with entry and exit An elevating seat to play from Easy to handle ergonomic controls Book your tee time up to nine days in advance at: Phoenix.gov/golf
City of Phoenix Golf Courses and Locations: AGUILA GOLF COURSE 9 & 18 8440 South 35th Avenue Laveen, AZ 85339 602-237-9601 MARYVALE GOLF COURSE 5902 W. Indian School Road Phoenix, AZ  85033 623-846-4022 CAVE CREEK GOLF COURSE 15202 N. 19th Avenue Phoenix, AZ  85023 602-866-8076 PAPAGO GOLF COURSE 5595 E. Moreland Phoenix, AZ  85008 602-275-8428 ENCANTO 18 GOLF COURSE 2745 N. 15th Avenue Phoenix, AZ  85007 PALO VERDE 9 GOLF COURSE 6215 N. 15th Avenue Phoenix, AZ  85015 602-249-9930 ENCANTO 9 GOLF COURSE 2300 N. 17th Avenue Phoenix, AZ  85007

Kids On the Block

Enlightening minds, shaping attitudes and changing lives! Kids On the Block provides multi-cultural educational programs to young children using puppetry to promote awareness, acceptance and appreciation of physical disabilities and medical conditions. They also seek to promote education to prevent adverse social conditions such as gangs, violence, child abuse, tobacco use and prejudice. Kids On the Block programs are most effective when presented to children in kindergarten through sixth grade; however, some topics are suitable for middle school children. Kids On the Block programs include: Disability Awareness Child Abuse Prevention Kindergarten Program Cultural Differences Gang Intervention Drug, Alcohol & Tobacco Abuse Kids On the Block is co-sponsored by the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department and Arizona Recreation Center for the Handicapped (ARCH). For information on how to schedule a performance for your group, please call 602 262-7370 (Voice), or FAX 602 262-7333

CONTACT US
or E-mail to: lu.rodriguez@phoenix.gov

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	Clear Path/Tribal Outreach
Due to budget cuts approved by the Phoenix City Council, the Clear Path and Tribal Outreach programs are no longer accepting applicants. The programs will be eliminated effective April 14, 2008.

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Telephone Pioneer Park

	The Parks and Recreation Department manages Telephone Pioneers of America Park, the first barrier free park in the nation. This facility was built through community donations under the leadership of the volunteer organization, Telephone Pioneers of America.
	It features a therapeutic pool, wheelchair accessible sports courts and beep baseball fields for those who are visually impaired. Adaptive aquatic instruction is offered, and a state of the art "All Children's" accessible playground was completed in January, 2001.
For more information on swimming lessons and pool hours call 602 495-2404. The park is open to the public and is located in northwest Phoenix at 1946 West Morningside Drive. Park hours are 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. For more information please call 602-262-4543 (Voice), or 602-534-2491 (TTY)

 

CONTACT US
or E-mail to: adaptive.recreation.pks@phoenix.gov

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Other Programs and Special Events

Adaptive Recreation Services runs a wide variety of summer programs and special events specifically designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities. These include:
Spring Prom Sunrise Day Camp Action Camp Holiday Tree Deco Holiday Dinner Dance
The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is committed to removing barriers to participation in all of its programs and services. For more information regarding program accommodation, or upcoming special events and summer programs, please call 602-495-7237 (Voice)

CONTACT US
or E-mail to: adaptive.recreation.pks@phoenix.gov

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Related Links

Phoenix Public Library Special Needs Center

www.river-of-dreams.org

ARCH

Arizona Special Olympics

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