Camden County Awarded $35K Grant To Provide Recreation For The Disabled

Camden County has been awarded a $35,000 grant through the Recreational Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities (ROID) program, the Department of Community Affairs announced on Thursday.

ROID grants ensure the necessary accommodations are made for full inclusion for individuals with disabilities participating in municipal and county recreation programs. The grants also help local governments in meeting Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

It is part of $585,000 in grants that were awarded to two counties and 29 municipalities throughout the state. Each grant requires a 20 percent cash match.

Created in 1978, the ROID program offers two grants to assist municipalities and counties in delivering both short-term special events and comprehensive, integrated recreational services for individuals with disabilities. The Comprehensive Grant supports continuous, integrated recreation and leisure service programs, and the Special Event Grant funds short-term events, which fulfills a particular and specific community need.

Activities supported through the ROID program include athletics, performing arts, and leisure activities such as after-school programs, team sports, visual arts, storytelling, and cooking classes.

The activities, provided to children and adults with disabilities,are designed with an emphasis on positive reinforcement, social interaction and community awareness.

“Recreation plays an integral role in the lives and rehabilitation of people with disabilities,” Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Charles A. Richman said in the announcement. “These grants offer physically-challenged children and adults a variety of athletic opportunities to enhance their lives.”

The grant money awarded to Camden County will be used to provide a regularly scheduled inclusive recreational program for all Camden County’s disabled residents.

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