The Douglas Center Hosts Grand Opening of “High Fives” Adapted Outdoor Sports Recreation Program for Individuals With Disabil

Skokie, IL – The Douglas Center, a non-profit organization that provides day programs for individuals with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities, hosted the grand opening of their “High Fives” Adapted Outdoor Sports Recreation Program for individuals with special needs. The Douglas Center has transformed an area of unused vacant land into a productive and cutting edge adapted physical recreation program designed to deliver proven benefits for individuals with special needs. The transformation and utilization of empty space into a program designed to improve the overall health of individuals living with disabilities is an example of what can be done through collaboration and empowerment.

The grand opening event began with the unveiling of the sign for the “High Fives” program and the donor appreciation dedication. This program was made possible with the help of grants from The Coleman Foundation and The Field Foundation of Illinois. The program proceeded with the official ribbon cutting by Mayor George Van Dusen of Skokie, Illinois. Rifath Khan, CEO of The Douglas Center spoke briefly about the purpose of the program and its goals. “The goal of the “High Five’s” program is to encourage and empower our program participants living with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities to participate in physical activities to a greater degree,” stated Rifath Khan, CEO. “The increase of physical activity participation will provide overall health benefits as well numerous physical, psychological, cognitive benefits and an improvement of their communication skills.”

Special guests attending the “High Fives” grand opening included Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen, Clark McCain, Senior Program Officer-The Coleman Foundation; Nate Parsons of SportsCourt Midwest, Tran Nguyen, Senate Aide to Senator Richard Durbin. The Douglas Center expressed their gratitude to Home Depot-Evanston, Uline and Corky’s Catering for their generous donations in support of the “High Fives” program.

There is a significant disparity in the level of physical activity participation among people with disabilities in comparison to those without a disability. The lack of physical activity among individuals with disabilities places them at greater risk for the same chronic illnesses as those without disabilities. Additionally, they are also at risk for secondary conditions (medical, social and/or emotional). Many of these chronic conditions (fatigue, obesity, social isolation, reconditioning, etc.) can be improved with increases of physical activity. Furthermore, the strength and stamina developed by participating in physical activity can help to maintain a higher level of independence.

The Douglas Center “High Fives” outdoor physical recreation area has been designed with the adaptations necessary for greater participation of physical activity by our program participants living with disabilities. This area consists of several activity zones that are designed to promote overall health-fitness benefits and increase motor development skills for all levels. Each zone is designed to promote confidence building and incorporating exercise. Zone 1: Basketball; Zone 2: Mini-Tennis/Soccer/ volleyball; Zone 3: Balance floor games (tetherball units, four square, etc. The design and equipment in each zone will accommodate a wide range of disabilities including those that are wheelchair bound.

In addition the physical benefits derived from this program the area includes a space for improving the participant’s social and independent living skills. This space consists of picnic tables, seating and outdoor grills. The picnic area will be maintained and enhanced by the skills of program participants in the Horticulture and “Art From The Heart” Creations programs. The Horticulture program will grow, and maintain the plants and flora for this space. The participants in the “Art From The Heart” Creations will create outdoor art (mosaic planters, etc.) enhancing the aesthetics of the space.

“We are enormously grateful for the generosity of The Coleman Foundation and The Field Foundation of Illinois for their support of our ‘High Fives’ Adapted Sports Recreation Program, “stated Rifath Khan, CEO. “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Nate Parsons of SportsCourt Midwest for his invaluable assistance and hard work in the design of this area.”

About The Douglas Center

The Douglas Center is a non-profit organization located in Skokie, Illinois, providing day programs for individuals with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities. The mission of The Douglas Center is to assist adults living with disabilities in improving their independent living skills and enrichment of their quality of life. For more information visit: www.thedouglascenter.com