Universal Access Program P.O. Box 484 ? Amherst, MA 01004 ? (413) 545-5353 Volume 16, Issue 1. Winter 2012 Before You Go: 1.) Pre Register: Get into the activity sooner when you arrive! Come with your waiver filled out! http://www.mass.gov/dcr/universal_access/docs/waiver.pdf 2.) In the event of poor weather: Call the following numbers for program status: Eastern MA: (617) 626 1294 Western MA: (413) 545 5758 3.) Need to cancel? Running late? Call and leave a message so we know. Check Out Our Blog: http://www.everyoneoutdoors.blogspot.com Visit Our Facebook Page: DCR REC Connect Photos by Marcy Marchello and Heidi Marie-Peterson ? DCR’s Adaptive Skating-Games on Ice program has been so successful, we decided to take it to the fields for year round fun and games! Our first adaptive adventure games day took place at DCR’s Mt Tom State Reservation with Chicopee’s Best Buddies program. This program was custom designed to meet the interests and goals of their group of about forty high school students. Customized programs for your group can be made by contacting Heidi Marie-Peterson at (413) 577-3840 Heidi.Marie-Peterson@state.ma.us. Chicopee Best Buddies program takes on a team-building challenge at DCR’s Mt. Tom. Come join the FUN! Have fun and play games such as tug of war, parachute challenges, kickball, kite flying, and team building games! Adaptive Adventure Games is coming to a location near you! Everyone is welcome, pre-registration is required. Boston: April 28th Worcester: May 5th Holyoke: May 19th Contact Heidi Marie-Peterson to reserve a space! High School students take on a parachute challenge at DCR’s Mt. Tom in Holyoke. Adaptive Skating- Games on Ice! Come join the fun at our adaptive skating- games on ice program in Boston, Worcester or Holyoke! Lace up a pair of conventional skates, or try out your manual or power wheelchair to slide around the ice. Ice sleds are also available to cruise. Propel yourself with small hockey sticks or be pushed around the rink by a friend. The whole rink is ours to play on! Activities on the ice include an obstacle course, a tower of blocks for building up and crashing down, races, tons of colorful balls and pucks to shoot around, power chair games and a gentle game of hockey! Admission and equipment is provided free of cost! Ice sleds, skate walkers, helmets and ice skates are available. For more info and to sign up, call 413-577-3840, or email Heidi.Marie-Peterson@state.ma.us Come join the FUN! Linda and Lisa race across the ice with smiles and laughter. Fitzpatrick Skating Rink in Holyoke. Sundays: 12:00PM ­–2:00PM January 22 February 26 March 18 April 1 Buffone Skating Rink in Worcester. Thursdays: variable January 26: 10:00AM–12:00PM March 1: 2:00PM-4:00PM March 29: 2:00PM-4:00PM Cronin Skating Rink in Revere. Tuesdays: 11:30AM–1:30PM January 10 February 14 March 20 Ice Skating Opportunities Ice Skating at the Asiaf Rink in Brockton This adaptive skating program takes place during public skating time on a separate section of the rink. Ice sleds and skate walkers are available! Call All Out Adventures to sign up: (413) 527-8980 Sundays: 1:30PM–3:20PM January 15, 29 February 12, 26 Outdoor Skating at the Kelly Rink in Jamaica Plain Join us for Outdoor Adaptive Skating! Come to the Kelly Rink located in the heart of Jamaica Plain! This adaptive skating program takes place during public skating time . Call All Out Adventures to sign up: (413) 527-8980 Wednesday: 1:00PM–3:00PM January 18 February 1 Sled Skate on Your Own: Use Ice Sleds on your own during public skating hours at state skating rinks in the following towns: Auburn, Boston, Brighton, Brockton, Cambridge, Franklin, Jamaica Plain, Greenfield, Holyoke, Hyde Park, Medford, Newburyport, North Adams, Plymouth, Revere, Springfield, Taunton and Worcester. For more info: Call The Universal Access Program at (413) 545-5758 or go to: www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/skating.htm Outdoor Programs Mt. Tom State Reservation Snowshoeing, kicksledding, cross-country skiing, ice skating and winter explorations as conditions permit in Holyoke. Call All Out Adventures to sign up. (413) 527-8980 11:00AM–3:00PM Saturdays: January 21, February 4, 18 Wednesday: February 22 Wendell State Forest Explore the wilder side of winter in western Massachusetts. All activities, including snowmobile rides as conditions permit. Call All Out Adventures to sign up. (413) 527-8980 Saturdays: 11:00AM–3:00PM January 14, 28 February 11, 25 March 3 Weston Ski Track Come to DCR’s Leo J. Martin Golf Course in Weston to enjoy cross-country skiing, kicksledding and snowshoeing on a groomed course. Call Stavros Outdoor Access to sign up. (413) 259-0009 12:00PM–4:00PM Sundays: January 29 February 5, 12, 26 March 4 and Monday, February 20 D.A.R. State Forest Snowshoeing, kicksledding, cross-country skiing, enjoying a campfire and winter explorations as conditions permit in Goshen. Call Stavros Outdoor Access to sign up. (413) 259-0009 11:00AM–3:00PM Thursday: January 12, 19 Tuesday: March 6, 13 CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Date Day Time Location Town Theme January 10 Tuesday 11:30-1:30 Cronin Rink Revere Adaptive Skating-Games on Ice January 12 Thursday 11:00-3:00 D.A.R. State Forest Goshen Outdoor Recreation January 14 Saturday 11:00-3:00 Wendell State Forest Wendell Outdoor Recreation January 15 Sunday 1:30-3:20 Asiaf Rink Brockton Public Skating/Assisted January 18 Wednesday 1:00-3:00 Kelly Rink Jamaica Plain Outdoor Adaptive Skating January 19 Thursday 11:00-3:00 D.A.R. State Forest Goshen Outdoor Recreation January 21 Saturday 11:00-3:00 Mt. Tom Holyoke Outdoor Recreation January 22 Sunday 12:00-2:00 Fitzpatrick Rink Holyoke Adaptive Skating-Games on Ice January 24 Tuesday 1:30-3:30 Steriti Rink North End Public Skating/Assisted January 26 Thursday 10:00-12:00 Buffone Rink Worcester Adaptive Skating-Games on Ice January 28 Saturday 11:00-3:00 Wendell State Forest Wendell Outdoor Recreation January 29 Sunday 12:00-4:00 Weston Ski Track Weston X-Country Skiing/ Snowshoeing January 29 Sunday 1:30-3:20 Asiaf Rink Brockton Public Skating/Assisted February 1 Wednesday 1:00-3:00 Kelly Rink Jamaica Plain Outdoor Adaptive Skating February 4 Saturday 11:00-3:00 Mt. Tom Holyoke Outdoor Recreation February 5 Sunday 12:00-4:00 Weston Ski Track Weston X-Country Skiing/ Snowshoeing February 7 Tuesday 1:30-3:30 Steriti Rink North End Public Skating/Assisted February 9 Thursday 7:00-9:00PM Steriti Rink North End Adaptive Skating-Games on Ice February 11 Saturday 11:00-3:00 Wendell State Forest Wendell Outdoor Recreation February 12 Sunday 12:00-4:00 Weston Ski Track Weston X-Country Skiing/ Snowshoeing February 12 Sunday 1:30-3:20 Asiaf Rink Brockton Public Skating/Assisted February 14 Tuesday 11:30-1:30 Cronin Rink Revere Adaptive Skating-Games on Ice February 18 Saturday 11:00-3:00 Mt. Tom Holyoke Outdoor Recreation February 20 Monday 12:00-4:00 Weston Ski Track Weston X-Country Skiing/ Snowshoeing February 22 Wednesday 11:00-3:00 Mt. Tom Holyoke Outdoor Recreation February 25 Saturday 11:00-3:00 Wendell State Forest Wendell Outdoor Recreation February 26 Sunday 12:00-2:00 Fitzpatrick Rink Holyoke Adaptive Skating-Games on Ice February 26 Sunday 12:00-4:00 Weston Ski Track Weston X-Country Skiing/ Snowshoeing February 26 Sunday 1:30-3:20 Asiaf Rink Brockton Public Skating/Assisted March 1 Thursday 2:00-4:00 Buffone Rink Worcester Adaptive Skating-Games on Ice March 3 Saturday 11:00-3:00 Wendell State Forest Wendell Outdoor Recreation March 4 Sunday 12:00-4:00 Weston Ski Track Weston X-Country Skiing/Snowshoeing March 6 Tuesday 11:00-3:00 D.A.R. State Forest Goshen Outdoor Recreation March 13 Tuesday 11:00-3:00 D.A.R. State Forest Goshen Outdoor Recreation March 18 Sunday 12:00-2:00 Fitzpatrick Rink Holyoke Adaptive Skating-Games on Ice March 20 Tuesday 11:30-1:30 Cronin Rink Revere Adaptive Skating-Games on Ice March 29 Thursday 2:00-4:00 Buffone Rink Worcester Adaptive Skating-Games on Ice April 1 Sunday 12:00-2:00 Fitzpatrick Rink Holyoke Adaptive Skating-Games on Ice UNIVERSAL ACCESS PROGRAM 2012 PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION AND RELEASE Please complete one form for each adult participant. Children may be registered along with an adult family member on the same form with adequate description. You must be a parent or legal guardian to register children under 18 years old. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) reserves the right to deny its services and/or your participation in any of its programs, or those that are conducted by its contractors or other service providers, to any individual (or legal representative) for any reason, including but not limited to failure to complete and sign this Registration and Release and Waiver of Liability form. DCR or its contractors will make reasonable efforts to have you sign a new waiver and release of liability for each calendar year; however, you agree that the waiver and release you sign today will extend into other calendar years and continue to be effective. General Information REC Connect Y N Name___________________________________ Address _________________________ City_____________________________ State____________ Zip________________ Phone_________________________ Email*____________________________________ Sex_______ Height___________ Weight___________ Birth date____________________ Emergency Contact Information: Name______________________________________ Relationship__________________ Address__________________________________________________________________ Home Phone___________________ Cell Phone____________ Work Phone__________________ * Would you prefer to receive a twice yearly newsletter of activities by ____e-mail or ____mail? Please check your interests: ____Adventure Games ____Skiing ____Skating ____Snowmobiling ____Snowshoeing ____ Kicksledding ____Letterboxing ____Cycling ____ Hiking ____ Fishing ____ Geocaching ____Kayaking ____Canoeing ____Rowing ____Sailing ____Camping _____Nature _____ Birding ___ Horseback Riding ____Events ____Power Chairs on Ice ____Other: ________________________________ Confidential Questions So we can better serve your needs, all participants must complete the following: Yes No o o Do you have experience with outdoor recreation? o o Do you wear glasses or contact lenses? Can you: o o Swim? o o Independently form a watertight seal with your mouth? o o Independently hold your head up in the water? o o Independently turn your body face up in the water while wearing a life jacket? o o Can you alert program staff to your needs? o o Can you follow multi-step instructions? o o Will a Personal Care Assistant accompany you? If yes, please provide his/her name___________________________________________ o o Will you be able to refrain from behaviors that pose a risk to yourself and/or others? (i.e. Pica behaviors, aggression, inability to set boundaries, lack of safety awareness) Please explain or offer any additional information you feel the program staff should be aware of for your safety and comfort, including any special accommodations needed: __________________________________________________________________________________ Medical Information So we can better serve your needs, please list any medical conditions, or any physical, sensory, cognitive, or emotional disabilities or disorders you have: __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Do you have seizures, diabetes, asthma or any allergies (including to insect stings), drug sensitivities, or dietary restrictions? Yes ____No ____. If yes, please describe __________________________________________________________________________________ Do you carry medication? Yes _____ No ______. If yes, please describe ______________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Please list any medications you may take (in addition to those indicated above). Do any of these medications react negatively with sun and/or heat? __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Waiver and Release of Liability; Photographs I, for myself, and on behalf of any minor child to be registered and to whom I am a parent or guardian, hereby release the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Conservation and Recreation, and its employees, contractors, permittees, agents, representatives, volunteers and other governmental entities working for or with DCR (“Providers”) from any and all liability, loss, damages, costs, claims and/or causes of action, including but not limited to property damage and emotional and bodily injuries, including death, arising in any way from my or my child’s or ward’s enrollment or participation in any program, course or recreational activity of every type and description provided or sponsored by the Providers. I understand that my or my child’s or ward’s participation in such program, course or recreational activity may involve risk and the possibility of injury to myself or to my child or ward, and to others, and of property damage. I hereby release and hold the Providers harmless from liability for any such injury or damage, whether incurred by me, my minor child or my ward, and including any injury that may occur as a result of emergency care provided by the Providers. I also hereby indemnify the Providers from any liability, loss, damages, costs, claims and/or causes of action brought by the minor child, the ward, or members of the minor child’s or ward’s family arising from their enrollment or participation, and from claims of others who I or my child or ward injure while participating in such program, course or recreational activity, including any injury that may occur as a result of emergency care provided to others by the Providers. By participating in recreational activities offered by DCR and its contractors, I give the Providers unlimited access to and use of all photographs in which I (or my ward or minor child) appear for publication or display in newsletters and other media used to illustrate, advertise or promote recreational opportunities in the state forest and park system. ________________________________________ ________________ _____________ NAME (or as Legal Representative on behalf of AGE of participant DATE minor child or ward) OR (If using Legal Representative, provide legal designation): _______________________________ ________________________________ (e.g., parent or court-appointed guardian) Name(s) of minor or ward Medical Information So we can better serve your needs, please list any medical conditions, or any physical, sensory, cognitive, or emotional disabilities or disorders you have: __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Do you have seizures, diabetes, asthma or any allergies (including to insect stings), drug sensitivities, or dietary restrictions? Yes ____No ____. If yes, please describe __________________________________________________________________________________ Do you carry medication? Yes _____ No ______. If yes, please describe ______________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Please list any medications you may take (in addition to those indicated above). Do any of these medications react negatively with sun and/or heat? __________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________ Waiver and Release of Liability; Photographs I, for myself, and on behalf of any minor child to be registered and to whom I am a parent or guardian, hereby release the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Conservation and Recreation, and its employees, contractors, permittees, agents, representatives, volunteers and other governmental entities working for or with DCR (“Providers”) from any and all liability, loss, damages, costs, claims and/or causes of action, including but not limited to property damage and emotional and bodily injuries, including death, arising in any way from my or my child’s or ward’s enrollment or participation in any program, course or recreational activity of every type and description provided or sponsored by the Providers. I understand that my or my child’s or ward’s participation in such program, course or recreational activity may involve risk and the possibility of injury to myself or to my child or ward, and to others, and of property damage. I hereby release and hold the Providers harmless from liability for any such injury or damage, whether incurred by me, my minor child or my ward, and including any injury that may occur as a result of emergency care provided by the Providers. I also hereby indemnify the Providers from any liability, loss, damages, costs, claims and/or causes of action brought by the minor child, the ward, or members of the minor child’s or ward’s family arising from their enrollment or participation, and from claims of others who I or my child or ward injure while participating in such program, course or recreational activity, including any injury that may occur as a result of emergency care provided to others by the Providers. By participating in recreational activities offered by DCR and its contractors, I give the Providers unlimited access to and use of all photographs in which I (or my ward or minor child) appear for publication or display in newsletters and other media used to illustrate, advertise or promote recreational opportunities in the state forest and park system. ___________________________________________ _______________________________ Individually, or as Legal Representative on behalf of Participant’s age minor child or ward ___________________________________________ _______________________________ If Legal Representative, provide legal designation Name(s) of minor or ward (e.g., parent or court-appointed guardian) ___________________________________________ _______________________________ Minor’s or ward’s age(s) (if different from above) Date Save the Date for our Adaptive Recreation Fair! Kick off the summer season: Artesani Park in Brighton (Boston) Saturday, June 9th from 10:00AM–3:00PM Meet recreation organizations serving people with disabilities offering a variety of recreation activities and sign up for summer fun! Enjoy recreation info, adaptive cycling, equipment demos, refreshments and festivities. Call Gigi to register: (617) 626-1294 Want to donate to Universal Access? DCR’s Conservation Trust and Urban Parks Trust Fund accepts contributions to support and enhance the outdoor recreation opportunities in Massachusetts for people of all abilities. Your tax-deductible donation will help provide accessibility to our parks through site improvements, specialized adaptive recreation equipment, and accessible recreation programs. Checks should be made out to The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, noting that the funds are for The Universal Access Program (UAP), and sent to Ms. Sharon Hoey @ DCR, 251 Causeway Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114. Call 617-626-1267 for more information. DCR Access News Winter 2012 Universal Access Program 251 Causeway Street, Suite 600 Boston, Massachusetts 02114 DCR Access News Winter 2010 Universal Access Program 251 Causeway Street, Suite 600 Boston, Massachusetts 02114 A young girl cycling the loop at the DCR’s Adaptive Recreation Fair. Access News Page # Notes from the Director Tom McCarthy Most of the time in my job, when it comes to programming, I only get to hear about the great work being done by my staff and how enjoyable the programs can be. I usually hear these reports while sitting in my office or attending a meeting of some sort. So, as a twist to this part of my work, I’ve begun attending most of the “Adaptive Skating-Games on Ice” programs to help out. This has proven to be one of the most enjoyable things I have done as part of DCR’s Universal Access Program. Not only is it very satisfying to see our participants enjoying themselves, it is just plain fun. There is a special thrill to being on the ice and moving in ways that are completely different from everyday mobility. Whether it be moving on the ice in a free-form way or getting involved in an adaptive pickup hockey game, the time on the ice just flies by. I highly recommend that everyone take the opportunity to skate this winter and experience the great fun that can be had at one of our winter programs listed here or get to one of our rinks on your own. Steriti Rink in Boston’s North End Come join us after work or school for an evening of fun, games, and skating of course! Enjoy the night lights through the glass walls of the rink. Thursday: 7:00PM-9:00PM February 9 NIGHT SKATING! Ice Skating at Steriti Rink in the North End This adaptive skating program takes place during public skating. Ice sleds and skate walkers are available! Call All Out Adventures to sign up: (413) 527-8980 Tuesdays: 1:30PM–3:30PM January 24 February 7 DCR is dedicated to providing outdoor recreation opportunities in Massachusetts DCR Parks for visitors of all abilities. Accessibility to our DCR Parks is achieved through site improvements, specialized adaptive recreation equipment and accessible recreation programs. REC Connect’s Adaptive Adventure Games!! Family and friends skate together! Try out our adaptive equipment, play games, and have fun! Dwayne and his family having tons of fun using ice sleds! COME OUT AND PLAY! Alejandra has a blast sit skiing at Weston Ski Track! Sheila enjoys a day of snowshoeing at DCR’s Wendell State Forest.