Support and Inclusion

Some participants may need extra support to take part in recreation activities. This may include participants with physical, developmental, intellectual, visual, or hearing disabilities, as well as those who need help with attention, behaviour, or personal care. We offer support so people with disabilities or diverse needs can take part in recreation programs in a safe, welcoming way.

Quick links:
Adapted activities Integrated activities Internal support from our staff Bring in external support workers Participant profile Behaviour guidelines Snoezelen Room at CCRW

Types of activities

We offer two types of inclusive recreation activities for participants with disabilities or diverse needs: adapted activities and integrated activities. Both options are designed to support safe, positive, and meaningful participation, but they are structured differently. Understanding the difference can help you choose the option that best fits the participant’s needs, comfort level, and ability to take part in a group setting.

Adapted activities

Adapted activities are created specifically for participants with disabilities or diverse needs. These programs are smaller, more flexible, and designed with modifications that support comfort, independence, and success.

Adaptations may include changes to activities, equipment, rules, pacing, or the program space. Inclusion Facilitators are present to support participants throughout the program.

Participants can register directly for adapted activities. An Inclusion Support Request is not required; however, participants will be asked to complete a participant profile so staff can understand their needs and plan appropriate support.

Explore adapted activities

Integrated activities

Integrated programs allow participants with disabilities or diverse needs to join regular programs alongside other participants. These programs follow the same structure and schedule as the standard program, with added support when needed. Integrated programs are best for participants who are "group ready" and can take part in a group setting with some additional help.

Is your participant "group ready"?

Being “group ready” means a participant can take part in a structured program with others of a similar age. Integrated programs are active, social, and move at a set pace. They are generally able to listen to instructions, interact safely with others, and take part in activities like games, crafts, and simple group tasks. While staff can offer guidance and reminders, participants are able to function safely within a group.

If a participant has difficulty following directions, shows unsafe behaviour, or disrupts the group, staff may decide that the program is not the right fit. In these situations, the participant may be withdrawn and guided toward a more appropriate option.

Support is available across many programs, including swimming, skating, camps, fitness, and sports. We offer two types of support: internal support provided by our inclusion staff, or support provided by an external support worker chosen by the family.

Explore integrated activities Learn about internal supports Learn about bringing in external supports

Internal support from our inclusion staff

Our trained inclusion staff assist with general participation needs including verbal reminders, redirection, and basic guidance during activities. Inclusion staff do not provide medical, therapeutic, or one-to-one behavioural support. If our inclusion staff are unable to meet your participant’s needs, an external support worker will be required.

Drop-in and single-day activities

We do not provide internal support for drop-in or single-day courses. Participants who need support for these programs must attend with their own external support worker.

Camps (summer and seasonal)

If your participant requires support in camps, you only need to register for an Inclusion Support Request, not for the actual camp activity itself.

For Seasonal and PA Day Camps, click on your preferred camp then select Inclusion Support Request and complete the questionnaire, indicating your preferred location and date.

For Summer Camps, select Support and Inclusion Camps and complete the questionnaire, indicating your preferred location and date.

Within the questionnaire, download and complete the participant profile and email to our support and inclusion staff recreation.inclusion@caledon.ca.

Courses (registered programs and lessons)

Browse our registered programs and lessons.
Register your participant for the desired program, course or lesson (e.g., basketball or preschool dance).
After registering a participant in the program, course or lesson, complete an Inclusion Support Request for the relevant category:
- Sports, Creative and Learning navigate to: Support and Inclusion (Sports, Creative and Learning) and select the location the participant is registered at.
- Skating Lessons navigate to: Support and Inclusion (Skating) Booking Page and select the location the participant is registered at.
- Swimming Lessons navigate to: Support and Inclusion (Swimming) Booking Page and select the location the participant is registered at.

Once the participant is enrolled in both the program/lesson and the inclusion support request barcode, we will contact you to discuss the participant's individual needs, complete a participant profile, answer any questions and confirm staffing availability.

Browse courses View upcoming registration dates Create an online account

Requests for support must be submitted at least two weeks before the program start date and are based on support and inclusion staff availability. If a participant needs ongoing support, inclusion support may be requested for one course per season (i.e., spring, summer, fall, winter), based on staff availability.

Bring your own external support worker

Participants are welcome to attend programs with their own external support worker at no cost. External support workers assist only the registered participant and must meet program expectations.

To be eligible, external support workers must be at least 16 years old, know the participant well, take part in activities alongside the participant, and support program rules and behaviour expectations. Personal and medical care must be arranged by the parent or guardian.

Drop-in and single-day activities

Personal support workers assisting an individual in a drop-in or single-day activity must check in at the same time as the participant they are supporting.

To qualify to specialized pricing options, including free personal support worker access, register in person or by phone through Recreation Customer Service.

Explore drop-in activities Register for drop-in activities

Camps and courses (registered programs and lessons)

If a participant will attend with an external support worker, register the participant in the activity, then complete an External Support Worker Form and email to the support an inclusion team at recreation.inclusion@caledon.ca.

Download an External Support Worker Form

Participant profile

A participant profile is a form that is updated each season and helps support and inclusion staff understand a participant’s needs so we can plan a safe and positive experience. The profile shares important information about how a participant learns, communicates, and takes part in activities. This may include things like strengths, areas where support is helpful, medical or safety needs, and strategies that work well for the participant.

The information in the profile is kept confidential and used only by staff who are directly supporting the participant. Completing the profile does not guarantee support or a space in an activity, but it helps staff prepare in advance, respond appropriately during programs, and ensure the right level of support is in place.

If the profile is not submitted on time or is incomplete, entry into activities may be delayed or denied until it is fully completed:

For courses (if required), profiles are due at least two weeks before the program start date
For Seasonal Camps, profiles are due one week before the first day of camp
For Summer Camps, participant profiles are due by the start of June

After registration, support and inclusion staff will reach out to discuss the participant's individual needs, staffing availability, finalize activity registration, and answer any questions.

Download a Participant Profile

Behaviour guidelines

We're committed to providing recreation programs and camps that are safe, respectful, and welcoming for everyone. All participants are expected to follow basic behaviour expectations that support safety, inclusion, and positive experiences for participants, staff, and volunteers. These guidelines help staff respond consistently when behaviour becomes disruptive or unsafe.

When behaviour concerns arise, staff will work with participants and families to address the situation. Depending on the severity and frequency of the behaviour, this may include reminders, temporary removal from activities, or requiring early pick-up.

View the complete Behaviour Guidelines

Snoezelen Room at CCRW

The Snoezelen Room is a quiet, multi-sensory space designed to support relaxation, focus, and sensory exploration. Located at the Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness (CCRW) in Bolton, it allows participants to guide their own experience in a calm environment, at their own pace.

The room is often used by individuals with disabilities, diverse sensory needs, or anyone who benefits from a low-stimulus, controlled setting. It can be used for calming, engagement, learning, or simply taking a break from busy environments.

Equipment and features

The room includes a variety of sensory features that can be used together or individually, depending on the participant’s needs. Participants choose how they interact with the space. There is no set activity or expectation to use all equipment.

These include soft lighting, colour-changing bubble tubes, fibre-optic lights, projected visuals, gentle music, vibration-based seating or mats, and tactile elements. All features are designed to be soothing and adjustable, allowing the support person to tailor the experience.

Equipment availability may vary from time to time due to maintenance, technical issues, or cleaning requirements. Not all sensory features may be available during every visit.

Supervision and support

The room is not supervised by staff during use. Participants must always be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or support person and may not be left alone in the space. For the best experience, a one-to-one support ratio is recommended, although groups up to a maximum of four individuals may attend, if appropriate.

Before the first visit, support persons are required to complete a short orientation. This orientation explains how to safely use the equipment and set up the room.

Reservations and fees

The Snoezelen Room is available for $5.75 (HST included) per 30-minute time blocks. Reservation requests are made in person or by phone through Recreation Customer Service.