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Community Activities

Local Groups

Camp Able

2919 St. Charles Ave , New Orleans, LA, Louisiana

campable.org

“Camp Able is about forming a community the loves us just as we are. Our goal is to establish, at least for one week, a community of unconditional love, compassion and acceptance”

NOLA Community Sailing

101 N Roadway St. New Orleans, LA 70124

“Our programs are open to everyone, regardless of age, background, abilities, and ability to pay. We have a special focus on youth; individuals with intellectual, developmental, and/or physical disabilities; military Veterans; and anyone facing economic barriers to sailing.”

Inclusive Sports Resources

Soccer Shots New Orleans

(504) 441-9216
nola@soccershots.com

“Soccer Shots offers three core programs to meet the developmental needs of children ages 2 to 8. It’s way more than just learning the game of soccer. We aim to build character, skills and confidence while also having a whole lot of FUN. We’re committed to providing safe, positive experiences through the game of soccer. It’s the reason parents trust Soccer Shots. Each of our three core programs teaches the right skills at the right age. Explore our programs to find the perfect fit.”

Ree Alario Muti-Purpose Center

Check out their website and Facebook page for current sports being offered and links to register. Sports offered include: basketball, bowling, and volleyball. Current sports offered range from ages 12 and up.

Empire Gymnastics – SPECTacular Gymnastics Classes

“SPECTacular Gymnastics is one of our newest additions to our programs & is for our students on the Autism Spectrum or have special needs who might need a smaller group, quieter environment, or more direct attention to thrive!” Offers 30-minute classes for ages 3-4 and 45-minute classes for ages 5-12.

Special Olympics Louisiana

“We provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families.” Check out the website and click ‘Become An Athlete’ to register and check out upcoming events for local events.

Miracle League Greater New Orleans

“The mission of the Miracle League of Greater New Orleans and the Miracle League North Shore is to promote the health and well-being of children with disabilities, provide opportunities for able-bodied children to learn about and interact with children with disabilities, and develop community awareness and support for the child athlete with disabilities through organized sports leagues. The Miracle League is designed to serve kids who cannot be accommodated by established baseball, basketball and soccer leagues due to the special needs of their disabilities. The vision of the program is to provide any disabled child, regardless of their level of disability, the opportunity to play league sports and enjoy the emotional and physical benefits of being part of a team sport.”Check out the website to register for a sports league. Sports include: baseball (fall and spring), basketball, and soccer for ages 4-17.

Recommended Community Resources

Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council

“The Council’s mission is to increase independence, self-determination, productivity, integration, and inclusion for Louisianans with developmental disabilities by engaging in advocacy, capacity building, and systems change.” Check out the YouTube link to (stream council meetings, as well as access short informational videos such as: ‘How to: IEP’ ‘How to: Early Steps’ ‘What comes after graduation?’

LAdisABILITY Talk

“What is LAdisABILITY Talk? Is a Facebook Page where we can Talk Everyday All Day! LAdisABILITY Talk is an ongoing conversation between members. It is an open forum for asking and answering questions, exchanging ideas, sharing news, events and much more. We are Changing Lives, Every Day with this new, easier to use format.”

Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans

“The Mission of Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans is to educate and connect children and adults with disabilities, and their families to resources, services, and supports to attend school, work, and thrive in their communities”

Local Event Resources

Jefferson Parish Library

Click under ‘events’ – events range from children to adults

Inclusive Event Resources

Ree Alario Multi-Purpose Center

6900 Saints Dr., Metairie, LA, United States, 70003

(504) 736-6971

Check out the website listed below and click under ‘Special Needs Programs’ to access a wide variety of events offered such as: art clubs, Bingo, camps, ceramics, dances, music, sports, and social clubs. Click on the event for age groups, as events range from children to adults.

Autism Society of Greater New Orleans

The Autism Society of Greater New Orleans offers inclusive events throughout the year, such as: an inclusive Egg Hunt, Halloween Party, and Santa pictures. Check out their calendar for online Caregiver Support Groups (evening groups meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month and the day group meets the 4th Tuesday of each month), as well as online support groups for Autistic Adults (2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month).

Swimming Resources

Swim Culture NOLA

(See website for appointment bookings and location)

swimculturenola.as.me

Love Swimming

5221 S Front Street, New Orleans, LA 70115

(504) 891-4662

Sensory Friendly Events

AMC Sensory Friendly Family Films

2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month

Check link for showtimes (1 morning showtime)

AMC Elmwood and Westbank locations

AMC Theaters provide sensory friendly family screenings with the following accommodations: lights are turned up, the sound is turned down, and their website states that audience members are able to get up, dance, walk, shout, or sing! Upcoming movies: Paw Patrol: The Might Movie (10/14) and Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (10/28)

WWII Museum

"Last Saturday of Every Month"

8:00am-12:00pm

945 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

The WWII Museum offers sensory friendly mornings every last Saturday of the month (8:00-12:00pm). Tickets are free during the 8:00-9:00am timeframe (use the link below to reserve tickets). Accommodations include: sensory bags (limited number available) with noise cancelling headphones, sunglasses, fidgets, Feeling Zone thermometer; and lanyard. 1 weighted lap pad can also be provided. Website states that the ‘Campaigns of Courage: European and Pacific Theaters’ pavilion in not recommended to those with sensory needs due to abrupt noises, unexpected environment changes, graphic imagery, and overlapping sounds. See link below for more details.

Surge Trampoline Park

1st Sunday of Every Month

10:00am-12:00pm

6930 Veterans Memorial Blvd #4419, Metairie, LA 70003

Surge offers sensory play every 1st Sunday of the month (10:00am-12:00pm) at $7.99/person. Accommodations include: no loud music, no flashing lights, and reduced crowds as the park is not open to general public during these times.

Chuck E. Cheese

1st Sunday of Every Month

9:00am-11:00am

All Locations

Opens 2 hours earlier (9:00-11:00am) to accommodate for sensory needs including: reduced noise, dim lighting, and trained staff to make for a fun and safe experience.

Home Depot

1st Saturday of Every Month

9:00am-12:00pm

All Locations

Come for a free craft on the 1st Saturday of each month (9am-12pm). Recommended to come early to ensure availability of craft. Upcoming crafts include: Horseshoe Game (11/4) and Penguin Ornament (11/25). Click on the link below for other video craft ideas such as: DIY balloon spiders; making a constellation viewer; building a fish tank; and more!

Louisian's Children's Museum

1st and 3rd Thursday of Every Month

4:30pm-6:30pm

15 Henry Thomas Dr, New Orleans, LA 70124

Come for free the 1st Thursday of each month and explore the museum with reduced crowds compared to usual hours. Accommodations include: reduced sounds, lights turned down and can be provided with noise cancelling headphones and weighted vests. Visiting for the first time? A social story is provided on the link under ‘plan your visit’ section. Registration is required, use the link below to register.

©2022 The Art in Me

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