Passes and Tips for things to do
Camp Harkness Pass
Camp Harkness is where the CT Down Syndrome Congress holds it's Annual Member Summer Picnic (free for CDSC members)
However, you can obtain a pass to go there on your own, even go camping there and use the facilities. You can call for all the details. Many families from CDSC sometimes just go and hang out there for the day. It's a great escape and the beach is really nice! There is a great playground too.
How to Obtain a Camp Pass
Any Connecticut resident with a disability may obtain a Camp Harkness Pass. There is no age restriction and parents/guardians of a child with a disability may apply for a Pass on the child’s behalf. The definition of disability, for purposes of obtaining a Camp Harkness pass, is any physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one’s major life activity. A physician’s signature and stamp are required on the application. Since passes are issued by the Department of Developmental Services , individuals receiving our services need only provide a Case Manager signature or provide us with a DDS number (see Individual Pass Application).
TO APPLY FOR A PASS
Camp Harkness is where the CT Down Syndrome Congress holds it's Annual Member Summer Picnic (free for CDSC members)
However, you can obtain a pass to go there on your own, even go camping there and use the facilities. You can call for all the details. Many families from CDSC sometimes just go and hang out there for the day. It's a great escape and the beach is really nice! There is a great playground too.
How to Obtain a Camp Pass
Any Connecticut resident with a disability may obtain a Camp Harkness Pass. There is no age restriction and parents/guardians of a child with a disability may apply for a Pass on the child’s behalf. The definition of disability, for purposes of obtaining a Camp Harkness pass, is any physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one’s major life activity. A physician’s signature and stamp are required on the application. Since passes are issued by the Department of Developmental Services , individuals receiving our services need only provide a Case Manager signature or provide us with a DDS number (see Individual Pass Application).
TO APPLY FOR A PASS
- Camp Harkness Pass Application (PDF, 15 KB)
- Camp Harkness Pass Organizational Application (PDF, 75 KB)
National Parks Lifetime Access Pass
The Access Pass is a free, lifetime pass available to United States citizens or permanent residents, regardless of age, that have a permanent disability. The Pass can be used at over 2000 Federal recreation sites across the nation, including National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, and many National Forest lands.
Here is the link for details: http://store.usgs.gov/pass/access.html
The Access Pass is a free, lifetime pass available to United States citizens or permanent residents, regardless of age, that have a permanent disability. The Pass can be used at over 2000 Federal recreation sites across the nation, including National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, and many National Forest lands.
Here is the link for details: http://store.usgs.gov/pass/access.html
Amusement Parks
Many amusement parks happen to have a disability access pass for people who have a disability who have issues standing in long lines. Look on the websites or details or call ahead for information.
Examples:
Disney World, FL
Disney Land, CA
Sesame Place, PA -
Parent feedback:
Arrival/Disability Bracelet/Accessibility Bracelet: Go to Guest Services to the left after you walk in the ticket gates. Tell them your child has special needs, low muscle tone, issues waiting in long lines are looking for a bracelet to help them. They will take your child's picture and height and will create a profile in their system. Then they will give you a bracelet for the child to wear (or parent - if the child refuses to wear it...but that parent must go on all the rides / in all the shows with the child) and it is good for up to 4 people in your family.
Rides: Once you have the bracelet...They will print out a list telling you which rides you can use this bracelet on. When you go to a ride, you go to the disability entrance, or the exit of the ride and show the person who is working the ride your bracelet. They will (some don't) check off that you used the pass on the piece of paper that was given to you (I think you can use this pass 3 times) and they will let your line in before the 'regular' line so you don't have to wait. You also get 3 passes for the water rides. They are too extreme for my child so we don't even use them... you might want to keep your bracelet for the next time you go if you don't use the water ride #'s you might be able to next time.
Shows: Once you have the bracelet....When you go to shows - again, go to the disability entrance about a half hour or 20 minutes before the show starts. They will let your line in earlier than the 'regular' line. You can also sit in the 'reserved' seating area. Be sure the characters see the bracelet and they may interact a little bit more with your child.
Parades: Once you have the bracelet.....For the parades, You are allowed to sit in the sectioned off 'disability seating' area if you have a bracelet. Go about a half hour before the parade starts - put down towels, have the kids sit in the strollers, or towels, send an adult to get ice cream and popcorn so the kids can feast while they wait for the parade. They will dance right in front and often interact quite a bit with the kids. Sometimes they let the kids do something special with the parade characters.
Characters: Once you have the bracelet...sometimes you can show people that work there your bracelet and they will let you see the character without standing in line. Things changed last year and most staff no longer acknowledge it. Some still do. It doesn't hurt to ask.
PLEASE keep good judgement when using the bracelet. Offer up your seat if someone else needs it more than you do. If there isn't a line - don't use the bracelet.
Storyland, NH
Santa's Village, NH
Live Up
People can participate in the program below regardless of where they live - they will just need to get transportation to and from NYC.
If a participant comes alone or even accompanied via bus, train or plane - we can have his or her mentor meet them wherever they get in to pick them up!
My name is Allie and I am a director of an amazing organization called Live Up! LiveUp provides a long weekend program for young adults with down syndrome that focuses on life skills and social skills development, healthy living and giving back. We have five different programs this year and I am the director for the New York City program.
LiveUp is a volunteer run organization that has been running programs for 5 years. We are excited to bring LiveUp to New York City for the third time this Labor Day. Our programs have 20-24 participants, each paired up with a peer volunteer for the weekend. Last year, we participated in an acting seminar, went to the MoMa, a Yankees game,a boat tour around NYC, cooked our own dinner, went to the Intrepid museum, did karaoke and of course had our dinner dance!
Our program is 21+ for both participants and mentors and scholarships are available on a need basis.
Here is our website and below is my contact information! Feel free to contact me with any questions and please pass my information along to any potential participants and their families.
LiveUp is truly a wonderful organization and promises to be an incredible weekend for all involved!
Thanks in advance for any information you can assist in getting to potential participants!
allie
aweiss@liveupprograms.org
516.840.0179
