Therapeutic Recreation & Disability Services
M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities in all programs and services.
Therapeutic Recreation Programs
Therapeutic Recreation (TR) programs are designed to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities and facilitate the development of leisure and recreation skills, socialization, independence, and overall quality of life. Programs are highly structured utilizing trained staff, adapted equipment, and activities accompanied by a high staff/participant ratio with small participant groups. Therapeutic Recreation programs are for Prince George’s County residents only.
Programs include, but are not limited to:
- Adapted aquatics, sports, and outdoor programs
- After School programs
- Art programs
- Fitness/Health and Wellness programs*
- Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies (Veterans)
- Performing Arts Club*
- Special Events
- Swim-n-Gym
- Summer Day Camps
- Teen and Adult Social Clubs*
- Therapeutic Sensory Room
*Membership programs
Find a therapeutic recreation class (there are a lot!!) or read more about our special programs below.
Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies (For Veterans)
M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation recognizes the challenges faced by veterans returning home with a disability. To help meet veterans’ wellness needs, the Department established a chapter of the Healthy Minds Healthy Bodies program in 2011 for FREE to qualified veterans.
Eligibility
- Serves all military veterans
- 10% or more service-related disability
- Honorable discharge
Applications
To learn more about the program, please email HealthyMindsHealthyBodies@pgparks.com, or call the Special Programs Division at 301-446-3400; Maryland Relay 7-1-1 for customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability.
Services
HMHB program is designed to provide fitness, recreation, peer support, and networking opportunities for qualified veterans and their families. As a veteran accepted as a member of the HMHB Program, you will receive:
Monthly Social & Recreational Events
- HMHB members-only recreational classes and clinics
- Information about events and local veteran resources sent out via a monthly e-Newsletter
One-Year Promotional Pass (OYPP)
- Fitness & Aquatics Combo Pass valid for entry into ANY of Prince George’s County, Department of Parks and Recreation’s:
- 45+ Community Centers & Fitness Centers
- 13 Aquatic Facilities
- Only one (1) Promotional Pass per qualified veteran
- Valid for one (1) year from the date of issue
- Passes do NOT include Group Fitness or Aquatics Classes
- Members can also designate a “Workout Partner” to receive a One-Year Promotional Pass to serve as a battle buddy in the gym for motivation and support. Workout Partners must have a Parks Direct Account.
Personal Training
- Members receive up to fifteen (15) 1-hour Personal Training Sessions with a trainer certified in Post-Rehabilitation Exercise
- HMHB Personal Training is currently only located at the following facilities:
Wayne K. Curry, Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex
8001 Sheriff Road Landover, MD 20785
Southern Area Aquatics & Recreation Complex
13601 Missouri Avenue Brandywine, MD 20613
Social Clubs
Designed to provide a variety of community-based recreational activities and experiences, social clubs are a great way to socialize, make friends, recreate, learn new hobbies, and stay active in the community!
Participation Guidelines
- Must reside in Prince George’s County
- Have an intellectual or developmental disability
- Meet the age requirements of the club
Membership
Registration Forms for 2023 Clubs are currently being accepted
- Clubs meet twice a month; activities are facilitated and supervised by trained, experienced staff.
- Once registered, you will receive a newsletter each month. Sign up for the activities that interest you; events may have an additional fee of $5 and up, depending on the activity.
- To pay for Membership Fees by placing a credit on your account, log in to Parks Direct with your account. Under “History & Balances”, visit “Add Credit”.
Virtual Social Club (Ages 21+)
- The 2022 Virtual Social Club will begin on January 22, 2022.
- Fee is $40 for the year; meets twice a month online, via the Microsoft Teams platform
- Activities will include: Paint & Sip, guest exercise instructors, and virtual game shows such as “Jeopardy”, “Win , Lose or Draw”, and “Wheel of Fortune”
- Members can join an in-person social club AND the virtual social club; however, please be aware that events for the two (2) clubs may occasionally be held at the same time.
In-Person Social Clubs
In-person club meetups for Adults and Teen Social Clubs are currently on HOLD due to COVID safety precautions; in-person, in-house meetings tentatively start in Spring 2022.
Requirements
The Commission is committed to providing quality parks and recreation opportunities in a safe, healthy, and enjoyable environment. Therefore, participants are required to conduct themselves, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a rational and reasonable manner, and in accordance with the rules and regulations established by the Commission.
Additional Information
For more information about these Social Clubs, email CountywideTRPrograms@pgparks.com or call 301-446-3400; Fax: 301-446-3401.
You Fit Scholarship for Autism
M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, You Fit Scholarship for Autism is entirely based on donations from private donors and businesses. “You Fit” benefits-eligible youth on the Autism Spectrum and provides opportunities and access to summer day camps. “You Fit” provides campers with up to $300 to be used towards one M-NCPPC, Prince George’s County day camp session. Awarded funds must be used within the 2023 calendar year.
M-NCPPC will link funds to the scholarship winner’s PARKS DIRECT accounts with pre-approved day camp registration. Funds cannot be used to pay for past programs, outstanding debt, or before/aftercare. The scholarship does not provide or cover items for personal use such as; cash, gift cards, presents, gas for vehicles, transportation, etc.
All finalists will be reviewed based on eligibility criteria, completed application, and essay. If deemed eligible and selected, the award will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Timing
2023 scholarship schedule TBD.
Disability Services
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is dedicated to providing quality services and recreation programs that are inclusive and accessible to all patrons. The Commission will ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 by taking all reasonable steps to remove barriers to participation in programs and services. The Commission is committed to maximizing program participation.
Inclusion Services Provided
Services include, but are not limited to:
- Accessible golf carts
- Adapted equipment
- Audio description
- Assistive listening devices
- Information in alternative formats (e.g., large print or Braille)
- Sign language interpreters
- Trained support staff
- Use of Companions
- Water Wheelchairs
Reasonable Accommodations & Modifications
Reasonable accommodations and modifications for individuals with disabilities are offered in our general recreation programs. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation.
Request Forms
Patrons with questions regarding program accessibility and requests for reasonable accommodations should:
Contact the facility in which the program resides.
Requests for accommodations should be made at least 14 calendar days in advance of the program start date.
Complaints/concerns should be filed within 14 calendar days of the incident/occurrence.
Concerns and requests should be placed in writing and include information on the specific program/service, location of program, requested accommodation, and/or incident/occurrence.
If the facility does not resolve the request / complaint within 14 calendar days.
Communicate directly to the departmental administration any concerns, which are not resolved within 14 calendar days by the program facility, and/or any compliance violations. Compliance violations should be filed within 14 calendar days of an incident/occurrence. They may be filed initially with the program facility or directly with the departmental contact.
What to do if the request / concern is still not addresses after contacting the facility and the administering department?
If there is no satisfactory resolution of an issue within 14 calendar days of notification to the department, the patron may contact the Office of the Executive Director.
Electronic Personal Assistive Mobility Devices
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is dedicated to providing quality services and recreation programs that are inclusive and accessible to all patrons. In keeping with that dedication, the Commission has adopted the following policy to allow the use of electronic personal assistive mobility devices by individuals with mobility disabilities in Commission sites and facilities.
Policy Goal
The goal of this policy is to maintain a safe environment for all patrons while allowing for the use of mobility assistive devices that do not fundamentally alter the nature of the programs and services provided by the Commission.
Electronic Personal Assistive Mobility Device
An Electronic Personal Assistive Mobility Device (EPAMD), as defined in 21-101 of the Transportation Article of the Maryland State Code, means a pedestrian device that:
- Has two non-tandem wheels
- Is self-balancing
- Is powered by an electric propulsion system
- Has a maximum speed capability of 15 miles per hour
- Is designed to transport one person, Segway® PT, and similar devices are examples of EPAMDs
Unauthorized Vehicles
This policy does not authorize the use of:
- ATVs
- Golf cars
- Motor scooters
- Motorized bicycles
- Motorized vehicles, whether electric or fuel powered, that do not fall within the definition of EPAMD above
- Off-road vehicles
Restrictions
The Commission authorizes individuals with mobility disabilities to use EPAMDs in all Commission sites and facilities that are open to the public (structures, buildings, park roads, sidewalks, and trails) and are subject to the following restrictions:
- The operator of the device must be an individual with a mobility disability. Commission staff may request verification of such status in the form of a valid State-issued disability parking placard or other State-issued proof of disability that is issued in the name of the operator.
- The EPAMD shall at all times when in use:
- Be under the control of the operator
- Yield to pedestrians
- Follow any applicable State of Maryland and local laws regarding the use of the device
- The EPAMD shall not, at any time, be operated in a dangerous or reckless manner that jeopardizes the safety of the operator, any other person, or property or in a manner inconsistent with the manufacturer’s safety recommendations.
- For public safety and environmental reasons, the Commission prohibits the use of these devices by any person other than at sites where these vehicles are already permitted for use by the general public.
- Not all Commission sites and facilities are accessible. Additionally, the use of EPAMDs may be prohibited where their use may be, at the Commission’s discretion, unsafe or cause damage. Contact the location you plan to visit for specific details regarding accessibility.
M-NCPPC Tax Identification
When completing tax forms, you may need to know The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s (M-NCPPC) Federal Tax Identification (ID) number.
M-NCPPC’s Federal Tax ID is 526-001-550.
Accessibility Policy Notices
Notice 15-01 – Accessibility and Non-Discrimination in Programs and Services (PDF)
Notice 15-01 – Electronic Personal Assistive Mobility Devices (PDF)
Notice 15-01A – Notice Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (PDF)
Notice 15-01B – Service Animals for People with Disabilities Act (PDF)
Notice 15-01D – Accessibility Seating Under the Americans Disabilities Act (PDF)
Notice 15-01E – Grievance Procedure Under the Americans With Disabilities Act (PDF)
