Special Populations

The Division's Special Populations Section develops and implements a wide variety of year-round recreation and leisure programs, special events, and services to meet the interests and needs of children, teens, adults, and seniors with disabilities. Programs are designed to develop, enhance, and/or maintain leisure skills, motor skills, socialization, and overall well-being as well as to promote fun and enjoyment.

What We Offer
Examples of Types of Programs or Program Areas Include:

• Social Functions and Events to provide opportunities for peer interaction in an appropriate social setting.
• Sports and Athletics to teach or enhance skills and to promote physical activity, friendly competition, fun, and success in individual, duo, and team activities.
• Leisure Education to explore, examine, and discover personal attitudes, interests, and potential opportunities through experiential discussions and initiatives that focus on leisure awareness and resources in order to promote healthy independent recreation and leisure lifestyles.
• Physical Fitness Programs to teach and improve general fitness in a group setting.
• General Recreation to provide for the discovery and experience of a variety of activities that promote learning, skill development, creativity, life skills enhancement, and enjoyment.
• Facilitate Inclusion by working directly with potential participants, significant others, and Division staff to provide, as needed, resources, assistance, training, modifications, and/or equipment that will enable persons with disabilities to actively participate in any Division-wide program and event. 

Current Programs

Bowling
Broward County Parks and Recreation Division Special Populations Section presents Youth Bowling. Programs include Pins-n-Pals I, youth bowling for ages 8-17, from 4:30 - 6 p.m. and Pins-n-pals II, adult bowling for ages 18-21, from 4:30 - 6 p.m. Bowling takes place at Strikers Family Sports Center in Sunrise, on Tuesdays. Cost is $5.50 for two games and bowling shoes. These programs are for persons with various disabilities and are offered as a weekly program; consistent attendance is required. Preregistration is required. Space is limited. To register or for further information, please contact the Special Populations Section at 954-357-8160/8170 or (TTY) 954-537-2844.

Exercise
Moderate to active movement to music for persons with developmental disabilities.  The free exercise classes are for ages 16 and up and are offered on Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Exercises are performed standing, bending, and sitting on mats.  participants must be fairly independent and able to follow basic instructions.

Pre-registration is required.  Consistent attendance is required to continue to participate in this weekly program.  To register or for more information, call 954-357-8160/8170, or TTY 954-537-2844 or e-mail: specialpopulations@broward.org .

Tandem Bike Programs
This program is designed for person who are blind or visually impaired - ages 18 and up. 

• Skill Development Class:  Learn together with a partner, necessary bike safety skills and techniques of riding a tandem bike.  Classes run one day a week for 4 to 5 weeks.  Teams will build trust and communicate effectively while having a great time.
• Leisure Rides:  These quarterly bicycle rides bring together graduates of the skill development class for a few hours of riding and socializing through various parks in Broward County.

To register or for more information, call 954-357-8160/8170, or TTY 954-537-2844 or e-mail: specialpopulations@broward.org.

Yoga Classes
These classes are free for adults who are blind or visually impaired.  Participants will work with volunteers learning the art of "Faith Yoga" as taught by Cephus "Primo" Jones.

Classes are held on the fourth Saturday of each month.  Class time is 10 a.m. to Noon.  Classes are held at the Lighthouse of Broward, 650 North Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale. Pre-registration is required for each class as space is limited.  To register or for more information, contact Barbara or Cara at 954-463-4217. Classes will resume the 4th Saturday of each month beginning in January 2010.

Social Events

The Special Populations Section coordinates several social events each year for the benefit of the community.

2010 Themed Teen Socials
For middle and high school students with developmental disabilities, ages 13 – 21.  Admission is free but registration is required. Refreshments – DJ Music – Dancing – Socializing – Fun    View electronic flyer.

Hawaiian Luau
Wear your favorite Hawaiian shirt.
May 28,  2010,  7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Fern Forest Nature Center
201 Lyons Road South
Coconut Creek, 33063

Western Hoedown
Wear your cowboy hat and boots.
November 5, 2010,   7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Tree Tops Park – Main Bldg
3900 SW 100 Ave
Davie, FL 33328

* Registration is required for the teen socials  by calling the Special Populations Section or by emailing specialpopulations@broward.org.  Please include the participants name(s), date of birth, the number of chaperones who will be attending, and the contact phone number and/or email address.   Please register at least 10 days prior to the event. For additional information contact the Special Populations section at 954-357-8160.

Free Seasonal Dances
for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
(ages 18 and up)  -- On-line Flyer

DJ Music * Dancing * Refreshments * Socializing * Fun

Friday, April 16, 2010,  7 to 10 p.m.
Spring Fling at Quiet Waters Park
401 S. Powerline Rd., Deerfield Beach, Shelter #1
Park Phone: 954-350-1315

Friday, July 16, 2010, 7 to 10 p.m.
Summer Social at Tree Tops Park
3900 S.W. 100th Ave., Davie, Main Building
Registrations required by Thursday, July 8, 2010.
Call the Special Populations Section at 954-357-8160 or 8170.

Friday Night Socials for Adult Mental Health Consumers

Broward County Parks and Recreation partners with NAMI (National Alliance for the Mental Ill) Broward County to provide special nights out for mental health concumers.  Ages 18 and up are invited to enjoy a free night of music, refreshments, dancing, and door prizes from 7 to 9:30 p.m.  For further information, call the Special Populations Section at 954-357-8170, or NAMI Broward County at 954-722-5445, or e-mail. View electronic flyer.

Future Friday Night Socials:

June 11, 2010
Tree Tops Park, Main Building, 3900 S.W. 100th Ave., Davie.  Park Phone:  954-370-3750.

October 8, 2010
Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park, Mangrove Hall, 751 Sheridan Street., Hollywood.  Park Phone:  954-926-2480.

The Broward County Parks and Recreation Division prepares a biannual calendar listing of Recreation and Leisure Programs and Activities for Special Populations. This resource notes most community-based programs designed specifically for persons with disabilities. It also contains a list of all municipal recreation departments in Broward County, designating a contact person, phone number, and any special access features. Printable document (PDF -290KB).  

For more information, contact:

Special Populations Section
Section Coordinator: 954-357-8170
Program Coordinator: 954-357-8160
TTY Line: 954-537-2844
Fax: 954-537-2854
E-mail: specialpopulations@broward.org

Special Populations events and activities take place throughout Broward County Parks and other area venue and facilities.

Documents created in a portable document format (PDF) require PDF reader software. Acrobat Reader is available from Adobe Systems Inc. at no cost. To obtain a copy, visit the Adobe Reader web page.