Text INCLUDE to 44321 and donate $24 to show your support for INCLUDEnyc.

IncludeNYC logo

INCLUDEnyc Draws Record Number of In-Person Attendees at Annual Outdoors for Autism Event in Foster Park

Published
June 23, 2022
Type
Press Release

(Bronx, NY)—Over 700 children and families enjoyed an afternoon of inclusive and accessible recreation at INCLUDEnyc’s 5th Annual Outdoors for Autism (OFA) event at Reverend T. Wendell Foster Park on Saturday, June 11. 

“Outdoors for Autism celebrates fun, connection, and accessibility for children with disabilities. For the last five years, INCLUDEnyc has hosted an afternoon of recreation that engages the children we serve with sensory-sensitive, universally-designed activities,” said Diana Breen, Interim Executive Director at INCLUDEnyc. “We are grateful for our participating partners and the New York City Council Autism Awareness Initiative for helping us make OFA possible.”

The event featured sports, arts, acoustic music, a sensory parachute, sprinklers, and a quiet activity area for families and children. Participating partners included Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Children’s Museum of the Arts, Extreme Kids and Crew, KEEN New York, Music for Autism, The New York Public Library, NYC Parks: Accessibility Programs, Shape Up New York, Special Olympics of New York, and Teatro SEA (Society of the Educational Arts). 

“Outdoors for Autism brings the opportunity to change lives into the places and spaces where it’s needed. INCLUDEnyc bridges the gap between Special Olympics New York, and the families that we may have otherwise been unable to reach. Inclusion is their guiding light and Special Olympics New York is proud to support that,”  said Vance Toure, Director of Program, Unified Champion Schools & Community, Special Olympics New York

“Music for Autism was so thrilled to partner with Outdoors for Autism again this year! We always love meeting the families who attend and exhibiting alongside the other wonderful organizations that share our mission and values,” said Laura Lazar, National Program Coordinator for Music for Autism. “We’ve been privileged to help bring some of the musical entertainment to OFA in the past few years and the response from attendees and performers alike has been nothing but one of mutual joy.”

“Outdoors for Autism is a wonderful event that the New York Public Library is proud to participate in,” said Eva Shapiro, Senior Manager, Early Childhood Education, Branch Programs & Services at the New York Public Library. “We were able to connect with over 100 families and had nearly 50 library card sign ups. It is a fantastic opportunity to connect with young people with disabilities and their families!”

INCLUDEnyc offers workshops and one-on-one Help Line support to parents and families with young people with any kind of disability. Learn more at www.includenyc.org

See Facebook Album