October 2017 - Parks & Recreation - 56

Operations

GPS or GPS-enabled smartphone, and
make sure friends and family know where
they are headed, and when they anticipate
being back home. Work with your legal
team for all the other important rules you'll
need to execute a communitywide contest.
Promote via all Available Channels
Generate awareness, interest and excitement
for your geocache event by promoting it
via all available channels. Use your park
and recreation software to streamline your
marketing efforts, and make it easier for
administrative staff members who are
managing the event. Start several weeks
in advance and provide information and
instructions to citizens about how to sign up
and participate, and what they stand to win
if they are successful. Choose a designated
start day for the event, which should be the
first day the geocache is hidden and available
to find. Throughout the event, post tips,
hints, photos and promotional messages
on social media and to your civic website.
Encourage participants to use a dedicated
hashtag, such as the name of your event,
when sharing photos and thoughts to social
media.
Ask your local leaders and elected officials to get involved. Ask them to share
posts regarding the event, cheer on participants, or even search for the geocache
themselves. Such interactions with local
leaders will help to promote civic pride
and community engagement.
Crowd Source Feedback to Improve
the Event in Future Years
After the event has ended and you've
crowned your first local winner, ask
participants for feedback. Using direct
citizen feedback to refine, improve
and enhance the event, will allow you
to make your event an activity that
citizens of all ages will look forward to
year after year.
Amy Frank is Product Owner of CivicRec® (frank@
civicplus.com).

Parks & Recreation

Essential Framework
for Adaptive Aquatics
By Rebecca Barley, Ivy Hausknecht and Alyse Whiting

daptive Aquatics consists of architectural and programmatic modifications to provide services for individuals with disabilities. The Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) outlines what these modifications are (www.
ada.gov/t2hlt95.htm). It's up to recreation professionals to implement
them in each facility.

ADA Architectural Standards
Architectural specifications are outlined
in the ADA to remove barriers that limit
physical access to all areas of your facility.
Some of these specifications include
accessible entrances to the building, handrailing height, door width, pool entrances
and lifts. For the complete list, visit www.
ADA.gov. Accessible pool features must be
maintained in operable, working condition
so people with disabilities have access to
the pool whenever the pool is open to the
public. For example, a portable pool lift
may be stored when the pool is closed, but
it must be at poolside and fully operational
during all open pool hours.
Pool Temperatures
The temperature of the pool can be a
factor in the success of your adaptive
lessons. In most cases, the ideal pool
temperature for teaching people
with disabilities is 89 degrees. This
temperature helps with circulation,
attention spans and comfort. It may be
difficult to keep recreation pools at 89
degrees, so even keeping it at 86 degrees
can still be beneficial. However, there are
a few exceptions; for example, for people
who have Multiple Sclerosis (MS), heat
can exacerbate their symptoms. An ideal
pool temperature for people suffering
with MS is 78-83 degrees.
Program Modifications
Title II of the ADA details says, " State

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and local governments may not refuse
to allow a person with a disability to
participate in a service, program, or
activity simply because the person has
a disability. " Therefore, it is our job to
provide modifications to these patrons
so they can enjoy our services and
activities in the same way as every other
community member. Always try to find
a modification. Remember, equivalent
isn't everybody getting the same thing:
equivalent is everybody getting what
they need to be successful.
Reasonable modifications could include:
* Allowing a caregiver in for free
* Allowing an individual to come in
during non-open-swim time if they
have sensory sensitivities associated with loud noises, play features or
crowds
* Allowing a family member or caregiver to assist during a lesson
* Allowing a participant to join a younger age group that is more at his or her
functional level
* Allowing a participant to use non-coast
guard-approved floatation devices to increase functional ability in the pool
* Providing training to staff on how to
assist swimmers with special needs
Modifications don't necessarily have to
cost money. Simple modifications can be
immensely beneficial.
The ADA also says, " State and local
governments must provide programs and

October 2017 - Parks & Recreation

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