Therapeutic Recreation Services

How do I register for Adult Therapeutic Programs?

Therapeutic Services Registration Process

1. Complete the TR Questionnaire & Participant Waiver.
2. Schedule a Therapeutic Assessment .
3. After the assessment, you will be contacted to schedule a trial day. Program recommendations will be based on findings and program availability.

Please contact trservices@austintexas.gov if you have any questions or require assistance with the registration process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does PARD have a behavior management policy?

PARD reserves the right to remove any participant from a program or facility without warning when it is determined that the participant’s behavior poses a direct threat to other participants, themself and/ or staff. Practicing safe behaviors is expected and any disregard or inability to follow may result in removal from the program.

Does PARD staff assist with activities of daily living?

All participants must independently maintain all Activities of Daily Living (ADL), including personal care functions and proper hygiene. Staff are not allowed to provide physical intervention to participants who need assistance with ADL themselves. Staff may only offer verbal cues to assist participants in completing personal care needs or any ADL’s. Staff are allowed to assist with opening containers or to hand an individual a needed assistive device.

Staff are not allowed to physically assist a participant with transferring from one location to another, such as from a wheelchair to a stationary chair or to assist a participant in walking. Staff may hand a participant a walker, wheelchair, cane, or other assistive mobility devices. Any participant who needs assistance with ADL’s or mobility is welcome to bring an attendant or companion with them to PARD programs, activities or events. This attendant/companion will not be charged for participating in the program, activity or event, as long as they are with the paid participant. Should there be additional expenses such as meals, entrance/admission costs, field trips, etc. not covered by the program registration fee the companion will be responsible for covering those expenses.

 

Inclusion Support Services

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department provides opportunities wherein all individuals are accepted, included, and welcomed to participate, play and recreate together. Inclusion Support Services works to support this vision by providing individuals with qualifying disabilities, according to the ADA, modifications needed to be successful in Parks and Recreation Programming. Austin Parks and Recreation welcomes all participants and is committed to remain in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in providing reasonable modifications for program participation.

Inclusion Support Services provides training and resources for all department staff members and modifies programs, as needed, to create inclusive environments.  The CTRS staff of the Inclusion Support Services implement individual participant modification plans to create a successful, fun and positive recreation experience. Throughout the year, Inclusion Support Services provides support for PARD participants in summer camps, Out-of-school-time programs, senior centers and community recreation center senior program, nature-based and cultural arts programs. For more information, or to request services from the Inclusion Support Services, please visit the Inclusion webpage, email inclusion@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-3917.

How do I request inclusion support services?

At the City of Austin, we prioritize an individualized approach to Inclusion Support Services. It is important for us to gather individualized information in order to meet the unique needs of each participant. Program modification requests must be submitted annually. Inclusion support staff will begin processing modification requests for summer camp 2025 on Monday February 3rd, 2025.

Program Modification Requests

1. Complete an Online Registration. This form gives you the opportunity to consent to services and formally request ADA modification by selecting ‘Yes’ under Accessibility Accommodation Request. 
2. Complete Acknowledgment Form for support services.
3. Complete the Family/Child Profile.
    
   
   1. If you are a returning to PARD programming, please update your information HERE.
4. Schedule an Assessment. This is a conversation to discuss the accommodations requested as well as an opportunity for us to learn more about your participant prior to attending camp this summer/year.
    
   
   1. For returning participants: This will be a virtual meeting where the previous year’s modification plan will be reviewed, and edits will be made. Attendance by the participant is optional. Please plan 30 minutes for this appointment.
   2. For new participants: This will be an in-person meeting held at the site in which your child will attend programming. These assessments take approximately 1-2 hours, and the participant needs to be present.

*If you prefer paper copies of these forms please visit your local recreation center and ask for "Program Modification Request" forms.

Next Steps:

1. Attend your scheduled assessment time allowing the Inclusion Support Services Coordinator to meet the participant and assess their level of need.
2. The Inclusion Support Services Coordinator will write an Individualized Modification Plan and send it to the family for review.
3. The family will review and suggest edits to the proposed Modification Plan.  When all edits have been made the family will send a signed copy back to Inclusion Support Services (inclusion@austintexas.gov).
4. Start receiving services in accordance with the Modification Plan!

*Inclusion Support Services cannot be put in place until all the information has been received, an assessment has been conducted, and a modification plan has been approved. Please complete the paperwork in a timely manner as the process can take up to two weeks to complete.

*To continue to meet the current needs of all participants, Individuals will need to complete this process annually. This allows us to make sure all our services are up-to-date and accurately reflect participant needs.

Danny G. McBeth Recreation Center

The Danny G. McBeth Recreation Center was the City of Austin’s first therapeutic recreation center, and the center has been home to year-round adaptive programs since 1986. McBeth is located at Zilker Park, and offers therapeutic recreation programs for youth, teens, and adults with a variety of special needs. These programs include the Good Neighbor Adventure Club (GNAC) adult day program, McBeth Adaptive Sports, youth and teen summer and holiday break camps, after school programs and adult leisure education and recreation programs. Our team of Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists CTRS perform recreation based assessments which are used to develop modifications to programs, activities and staff training, providing opportunities for successful participation. For more information on the programs offered at McBeth Recreation Center, please visit the McBeth webpage.

• Adult Therapeutic Recreation Programs 

McBeth Recreation Center Virtual Tour:

Dottie Jordan Recreation Center and Alamo Recreation Center 

The newest addition to the Therapeutic Recreation Services are Dottie Jordan Recreation Center (DJRC) and Alamo Recreation Center. Therapeutic Recreation outreach programs began at DJRC in spring 2020. DJRC is set to open a second location of the Good Neighbor Adventure Club adult day program in 2022. Our team of Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists CTRS perform recreation based assessments which are used to develop modifications to programs, activities and staff training, providing opportunities for successful participation.

Alamo Recreation Center is located near downtown Austin, and the facility consists of a multipurpose room, computer lab, a kitchen and an office. The park includes a playscape, multi-use field, Gaga pit, and a covered, lighted basketball court. For more information on the programs offered at Alamo Recreation Center, please visit: Alamo webpage.

DJRC is located in Northeast Austin, and the surrounding pack includes a tennis court, a basketball court, a community garden, and a walking trail. Behind the recreation center is the Dottie Jordan Neighborhood Pool. For more information on the programs offered at Dottie Jordan Recreation Center, please visit: Dottie Jordan webpage.

• Adult Therapeutic Recreation Programs 

Fieldwork and Internship Experiences

We are proud to offer fieldwork and internship experiences through Therapeutic Recreation Services. There are currently eight Recreation Therapists, within Therapeutic Recreation Services, who you will have the opportunity to work with and learn from during your fieldwork or internship. Fieldwork students or interns will be given opportunities to facilitate programs in inclusive and/or adaptive settings, practice all aspects of the APIED process, and gain experience in the field of Therapeutic Recreation. For more information please contact TRInternships@austintexas.gov.

Volunteers

Therapeutic Recreation Services accepts volunteers for many programs, including:

• McBeth Adaptive Sports as coaches and unified partners
• Inclusive community events 
• Adult Therapeutic Day Programs
• Friends of Therapeutic Recreation Services Advisory Board

Please reference the McBeth, Alamo and Dottie Jordan websites for contact information about volunteering. The start date for volunteering is contingent on a criminal background investigation.

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