Christie Administration Awards $585K in Recreational Opportunity Grants for Individuals with Disabilities

The Department of Community Affairs announced 5 counties and 28 municipalities have been awarded a total of $585,000 in grants through the Recreational Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities (ROID) program.

ROID grants assist local governmental entities in meeting the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements to include people with disabilities into their municipal and county recreation and leisure services and to provide the necessary accommodations to ensure their full inclusion.

This round of funding will support recreation, performing arts, and leisure programs including a fishing derby, after-school programs, team sports, exercise and visual arts programs, storytelling and healthy cooking. These activities, designed with an emphasis placed on positive reinforcement, social interaction and community awareness, will be provided to children and adults with disabilities.

“The Christie Administration is committed to developing both cultural and recreational opportunities for New Jersey’s residents,” said DCA Commissioner Richard E. Constable, III. “These recreational grants help develop and maintain programs and services that enhance the lives of adults and children with disabilities in New Jersey while providing participants with social interaction, skill development, physical activity and personal growth.”

Created in 1978, the ROID program offers two grants: the Comprehensive Grant supports continuous, integrated recreation and leisure service programs, and the Special Event Grant for a short-term event, which fulfills a particular and specific community need. In addition, each grant requires a 20 percent cash match.

The ROID program assists municipalities and counties in delivering both short-term special events and comprehensive, integrated recreational services for individuals with disabilities.

Bergen County ROID Grant Recipients and projects include:

• Lyndhurst Township - $7,500 - For integrated recreation programs for people with disabilities. The program will develop social skills relating to sports and develop gross motor skills, coordination and physical fitness.
• Rutherford Borough - $20,000 - To enhance and sustain a program of recreational activities which include and benefit both disabled and non-disabled individuals.
• Washington Township - $14, 974 - For recreational inclusion opportunities for children with disabilities and their families in Washington Township, Morris County.