Welcome to 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.
• Facilitating Integration and Inclusion 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 Program Announcements Posted Here

Broward County Parks and Recreation Division and Lighthouse of Broward present free Yoga Classes for adults who are blind or visually impaired on the fourth Saturday of the month from July through October 2008.. Classes are from  10 a.m. to noon. Classes are held at Lighthouse of Broward, 650 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, 33311. Participants will work with volunteers learning the art of “Faith Yoga” as taught by Cephus “Primo” Jones. Preregistration is required for each class as space is limited. To register or for more information call Barbara Krantz or Cara Rosensky, Lighthouse, at 954-463-4217, or view the flyer, click here.

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.

Social Events

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

The next Friday Night Social is scheduled for October 10, 2008. For more information, please contact the Special Populations Section at 954-357-8160/8170 or(TTY) 954-537-2844.

A Teen Social for middle and high school students (ages 13 - 21) with developmental disabilities has been scheduled for Friday, November 14, 2008. Activities include: music, dancing, refreshments and more.  Participants must be registered by November 10, 2008, in order to attend.  Reservations can be made via phone at 954-357-8160 or e-mail to rnewman@broward.org.   Click here for a printable flyer (PDF -648KB).

Biannual Calendar

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. Click here for a complete printable document (PDF -860KB) or click on the photo links below. 

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: dhorowitz@broward.org

Special Populations events and activities take place throughout Broward County Parks.