Resources

The Arts Access Pass Program is designed to give eligible members increased opportunities to participate in the arts in their communities. In order to be eligible for the program, you must currently be on income based Public Assistance (SNAP, Medicaid, TANF) and present an active benefit card when signing up for the Arts Access pass. Registration forms are available online or at sites throughout Western New York. After you register, a welcome packet will be sent to your home address. The welcome packet will include your Arts Access Pass, more information about the program, and a list of participating organizations that offer Arts Access tickets. The pass is only good for one year. After that year you must register again by filling out a new application. The Arts Access season runs from 9/1-8/31.

Once a month, Au-Some Evenings give children with autism and sensory processing needs, their friends and family an opportunity to play and learn together in an understanding and supportive environment. In addition to a fun night of play with access to the museum space and exhibits, we have special programming for families! The evening features themed Art Studio projects, sensory exploration in our Tinkering Tank, therapy animals from the SPCA and student volunteers from SUNY Buffalo State’s Exceptional Education program. Register online.

Buffalo Sabres Thunder Ice Hockey is a coed team for individuals with special needs who have some ice-skating experience. Practices are Sundays 9:00 a.m. September - April at North Buffalo Ice Rink, 156 Tacoma Ave., Buffalo, NY 14216. Contact by email at bsthockey2008@gmail.com.

The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center currently offers programs for mentally and emotionally impaired, learning disabled and developmentally challenged children ages 5 to 18. Programs are designed and taught by a member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH). (716) 877-9295

CAUSE-Center for Allied and Unified Sport and Exercise at Daemen College provides opportunities for people ages 5+ to participate in unified sport and recreation alongside college students and students-athletes. Activities vary. CAUSE sports sessions primarily take place at Daemen's Academic and Wellness Center Gym, 4433 Main St., Amherst, NY 14226. Pre-registration is required. Questions, contact Brooke Densing 716-566-7894 or email bdensing@daemen.edu.

Clarence Learn to Swim offers several programs to children and their families. Two of their programs are specifically geared towards children with special needs or a significant medical condition.

Danceability offers a full-season program from September – May including weekly 45-minute classes in the afternoons and evenings. Danceability welcomes all ages and abilities from age 3 to senior adults and offers many styles of dance including tap, jazz, ballet, creative movement and more!

EMW's Dream League was formed to give children ages 5-18; or up to age 21 (18 - 21 will need to be approved by the Dream League Coordinator) the opportunity to play baseball in an environment that is flexible and based on participants' abilities. Both resident and non-resident are welcome. Each player is paired with a "buddy" who provides encouragement and assistance as needed.

Fantastic Friends of WNY is an all volunteer organization that provides recreational activities for individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities. Check out their website and Facebook page to learn more about their Fantastic Events and Learning opportunities. If needed, they have one on one volunteer peers.

Adaptive Program: Adaptive Bowling, My Special Chef & Baking Buddies, and Art-abilities - Youth and Young Adult.

The goal of all of Hamburg Adaptive Recreation programs is to provide the participants with opportunities to
socialize & strengthen basic motor skills, through a variety of skill development stations in a safe, nurturing, yet challenging environment to help individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other Neurobiological/Behavioral challenges.

Provides opportunities for children and young adults with disabilities to play Miracle League baseball, regardless of their abilities.

A dance and movement program for children, adolescents and adults with special needs serving WNY. Located at 954 Union Rd., Suite 1, West Seneca, NY. 716-656-1321

The Access Pass permits residents of New York State with disabilities, as defined in the application, free or discounted use of state parks, historic sites, and recreational facilities operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

SABAH athletes engage in physical education and therapeutic recreation to achieve their full potentials. SABAH programs enable our athletes to improve skills for independent living and foster a healthy lifestyle. Special Needs Recreational Fitness Programs include Adaptive Ice Hockey, Evening and Weekend Ice Skating, Fit and Fun for Adults with Disabilities and Summer Skates.

Flix Stadium 10 sensory friendly family film series slated to run the first Saturday of every month at 10am. The films will be presented with the theatre lights on and the sound lowered. Dipson Theatres, Inc. acknowledges the needs of social engagement and environmental factors affecting people on the autism spectrum, and hope that this family film series will create an entertainment venue for families to enjoy new releases in a presentation that will suit unique and special needs.

Your child may be interested in a sport or activity, but a challenging behavior stands in the way. Maybe you would like to take them to the mall, a restaurant, playground, or museum, but just need a little extra help. The Summit Center’s STAR Recreation program will give you the skills you need to support your child in community activities. The program provides up to ten sessions of 1:1 training/support (up to two hours per session) helping children with disabilities and their families become more engaged in their community.

A Sweet Start Preschool located in Clarence, NY is a fully inclusive program. We recognize that every child possesses unique abilities and skills. Our classes love exploring and engaging in fine-motor, gross-motor, sensory, literacy, and math games, especially because they get to play with their friends at the same time! Contact Molly at 716-320-5848.

TOPSoccer, The Outreach Program for Soccer, is a New York State West and US Youth Soccer official program. This program is designed for children with disabilities, ages 5 to 21. This program accommodates all disabilities whether mental or physical. This is an exciting program that brings the joy of playing soccer to players who have not traditionally had a place in the youth soccer system.

The Cheektowaga Adapted Recreation Program is for youth with developmental and other disabilities, ages 5-21, and youth with learning and other disabilities, ages 5-16. The program is in session from October -May.

This program is designed to accommodate people with a wide range of disabilities. Adapted equipment and careful coordination between instructors and volunteers helps the participants spend time enjoying the water by fishing, sailing, scuba diving, waterskiing, or just lounging in the water on a beautiful day.

Cradle Beach, located in Angola, NY, serves the needs of children between the ages of 8 and 16 with disabilities and those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds in their summer camping program. Summer camp is an overnight program. Each session is 5 days of residential programming in an inclusive setting where they are provided a healthy environment and organized activities to promote socialization, self-worth, and decision making, in an atmosphere of love and acceptance. Cost is a sliding fee scale based on family income. For more information, or to request an application, please call the Cradle Beach Office at 716-549-6307.
Cradle Beach also offers overnight weekend respite in the fall, winter, and spring. Must be enrolled into the NYS Home & Community Based Waiver System and have a documented developmental disability.

Dunkirk Camp and Conference Center “One Piece at a Time – Autism Spectrum Disorder Camp” is a three-day vacation designed for families with children up to 12 years old who have autism. There will be volunteer support for each family. Please call Jennifer Vacanti at 716-479-6156.

Excalibur is a private, non-profit all volunteer, charitable organization dedicated to providing adaptive boating and fishing opportunities for developmentally challenged and disadvantaged persons. Its goal is to provide access to Lake Erie, as well as offer developmental, therapeutic and recreational opportunities for Human Service Agencies and their related programs.

Each summer, through the generous support of our local sponsors, The Aurora Theatre offers Western New Yorkers a FREE film series for families. Every Wednesday at 11 am throughout the summer, The Aurora Theatre shows popular and classic films perfect for some family fun.

Wellness GIFTS, a program by Pathways, Inc., provides camping retreats for families who have individuals with developmental disabilities. The retreats provide respite, recreation, rejuvenation, education, and social networking opportunities for the entire family.