Special Needs Programs- Madison Parks and Recreation

10/09/2026

💙 We want to hear from YOU!

Every family deserves the opportunity to play, connect, and enjoy recreation together. But we know that finding activities that meet your family’s needs can sometimes be challenging.

💬 What would make recreation easier for your family?

Would it be more accessible spaces, sensory-friendly options, affordable programs, flexible schedules, clearer information, or something else entirely?

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, individual with a disability, or community member, your voice matters! Your feedback helps us learn how we can better serve our community and create more opportunities for everyone to participate.

👇 Share your thoughts in the comments! We’re listening. 💙

10/08/2026

Did you know our Merrimack Huntsville Happy Dancer and Merrimack Happy Yogi classes are happening every Monday in Madison for participants ages 13+?

And this year, our Happy Dancers have something extra special to work toward! 🎶

🌟 Merrimack Holiday Showcase-November 20 🌟

Our Happy Dancer participants will be working on their dance skills and preparing for a chance to perform in the Holiday Showcase alongside other Merrimack students!

It's more than just learning dance moves-it's an opportunity to:
💃 Build confidence
🎶 Practice performing
🤝 Work together
⭐ Celebrate their progress
🎄 Be part of a special community event

And if dance isn't their thing, our Merrimack Happy Yogi class offers a fun, welcoming way to move, stretch, and practice body awareness.

Interested in both? Many participants sign up for both and stay the whole time!

📍 Merrimack in Madison
📅 Mondays 4:00-5:00 and 5:00-6:00
👥 Ages 13+

Whether they're ready to take the stage or just looking for a fun way to move, there's a place for them at Merrimack!

👉 Check out Merrimack in Madison Monday classes and register today! 💚

https://www.madisonal.gov/1401/Special-Needs-Adult-Programs

10/07/2026

🎃 LOOKING FOR AN INCLUSIVE HALLOWEEN EVENT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY? 👻

Join Madison Parks and Recreation for our Trail of Treats on Thursday, October 22 from 6:00–8:00 PM at the James Clemens High School Football Field! 🧡

This event was created with our whole community in mind! We want everyone to have the opportunity to enjoy Halloween, connect with our community, and participate in a way that works best for them. 💙

✨ What can you expect?
🎃 Trail of Treats
🧠 KultureCity Sensory Trailer for those who need a sensory break
♿ Accessible pathways around the event
🎨 Inclusive community activities
🍴 Food trucks
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Fun for all ages!

Whether you're ready to jump into all the Halloween fun or need to take things at your own pace, there's a place for you at Trail of Treats! 🧡

📅 Thursday, October 22, 2026
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 James Clemens High School Football Field

Come celebrate Halloween with us and help us make this a night where everyone feels welcome! 🎃👻

Event information in the comments!

10/05/2026

⚽️ IN ACTION: Learning Through Play! 🫧

At our Can Play soccer practice, we worked on a skill called “Body Blocker”-learning how to use our bodies to block and defend against the ball.

But we added a little twist… BUBBLES! 🫧

Using bubbles made the drill fun, engaging, and accessible while giving everyone a chance to practice the movement and build confidence with a soccer skill.

This is what adaptive recreation is all about: meeting participants where they are, finding what motivates them, and making skill-building FUN! 💙

We love finding creative ways to get everyone moving, participating, and enjoying the game! ⚽️✨

10/02/2026

💙 What does “Adaptive Recreation” actually mean?

You may have heard us use the term adaptive recreation, but what does that really look like?

At its heart, adaptive recreation is recreation that is intentionally designed or modified so people with disabilities can participate, connect, have fun, and build skills.

That might mean:
⚽ Changing the rules of a game
🎨 Offering different ways to participate in an activity
🏋️ Modifying an exercise to meet someone’s needs
🧩 Using visual supports, sensory tools, or assistive technology
👥 Providing additional support and breaks when someone needs it
💬 Creating opportunities for people who communicate, move, learn, or interact in their own way
❤️ Or simply making sure there is a place where everyone feels welcome.

Adaptive recreation doesn't always mean creating a completely separate activity. Sometimes it means widening the circle so more people can participate in the activities already happening in our community.

That's what we're working toward here in Madison: more opportunities, fewer barriers, and recreation where everyone has a place.

Because recreation isn't just about having something to do. It's about belonging, building confidence, making friends, learning new skills, moving our bodies, and having fun. Together we are increasing qualifty of life and having a great time doing it!

✨ Adaptive recreation means finding a way to say, “Yes, you can participate. Let's figure out what we need to make it work.”

09/30/2026

We have had such a great time in September starting our Social Explorers After School Social Club. This has been an all time favorite from our spring and fall programs! We are continuing on the fun in October!

Our October theme is Game On! We’ll be building social skills through:
🎲 Board games
🏃 Relay races
🧠 Trivia
🔎 Scavenger hunts
🤝 Team challenges

Each activity gives our Social Explorers a chance to practice communication, teamwork, flexibility, and connecting with others-all while having FUN!

🍂 October registration is now open! Come and join in on the fun! We meet Wednesday 4:00-5:00. October group will start October 14th!

🔗 Register here: https://almadisonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/iteminfo.html?module=AR&fmid=25096631&InterfaceParameter=WebTrac

We can’t wait to see our Social Explorers in October!

09/29/2026

The Assistive Technology Camp is for people with disabilities to learn and discover assistive technology tools or devices to help them to live independently. Please join Disability Resource Network on October 15, 2026 at 10 am at the Huntsville - Madison County Downtown Library Auditorium located at
915 Monroe St SW, Huntsville, AL 35801.

🚀 Empower Your Independence!

Join the Disability Resource Network for our upcoming Assistive Technology Camp on Thursday, October 15, 2026!

Whether you want to sharpen your daily tech skills or explore new tools for barrier-free living, this hands-on workshop is for you.

Come out and learn how to navigate electronic devices with confidence, master basic computer skills, and protect your digital footprint with essential internet safety tips.

🗓️ Date: October 15, 2026

⏰ Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

📍 Location: Huntsville Madison County Public Library Auditorium

🏢 Address: 915 Monroe Street SW, Huntsville, AL 35801

✨ Special Highlights:
• Expert presentations from Accessing Potential Through Assistive Technology leaders Jessica McKay and Roosevelt Wright
• Proudly sponsored by Madison Street Festival
• Free lunch will be served!

Register at the link 🔗 https://forms.gle/PrMrRPx828AebHbY8

We are building a more accessible, inclusive, and connected community. Space is limited, so bring a friend and let’s dive into tech together!

09/28/2026

🍂 Fall Break is almost here for our school-aged families! 🍂

We want to know — what are your Fall Break plans? 👇

🏡 Staying home and relaxing
🎃 Doing something festive
🚗 Heading out of town
🌳 Spending time outside
😴 Know of an amazing camp being offered?

Tell us what you’re up to in the comments! We’d love to hear how our community is spending the break. 🧡

09/23/2026

Fall is in full swing around here. 🍂💛

Come take a peek at all of the movement, communication, connection, independence, and a whole lot of joy.

Because recreation should be a place where everyone belongs.

We’re so proud of what our participants are doing this fall, and we’re just getting started! 🧡

09/22/2026

🎃 CALLING ALL COMMUNITY VENDORS! 👻🍬

Vendor registration is officially open for City of Madison Parks & Recreation’s Trail of Treats!

Last year, an estimated 3,000 community members joined us for Halloween fun-and this year, we’re moving to a larger location with more room for everyone! We’d love to have local businesses, organizations, and community partners join us along the trail.

📅 Thursday, October 22
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 James Clemens High School Football Field

Trail of Treats will take place around the track, with each vendor receiving a designated space along the trail. Vendors should plan to bring a table and/or tent, decorate their space, hand out treats, and are welcome to share information about their business or organization!

🎃 There is no cost to participate!
🍬 Costumes and decorating are highly encouraged!
♿ This is an inclusive, family-friendly event welcoming community members of all abilities.

Ready to join the trail? Register here:
https://forms.gle/ScHgP9fmUJET6T7J8

All vendor information and event details are included in the registration form.

📧 Questions? Contact [email protected]

We can’t wait to fill the trail with our amazing community partners! 🧡💜