Inclusive Services

Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development's resource space for accommodations, community connections, and specialized programs for individuals with disabilities.

Bianca Posada, CTRS
Email the Program Director
(510) 597-5064
Call the Program Director

Inclusion Office
Mosswood Recreation Center
3612 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94609

Recreation Program Director - Bianca Posada, CTRS, bposada@oaklandca.gov, 510-597-5064
Office hours: Monday through Friday 10am - 2pm

Summer Opportunities

Please Note: Inclusion Programs are typically hosted at Mosswood Recreation Center, however the rec center will be unavailable due to construction for a new recreation center.

June Swim Socials

  • Wednesdays: June 14th, June 21st, June 28th, 12:30pm - 5:00pm, $12 per session. Drop off/ Pick up at Mosswood Park. We will take AC Transit together to Lions Pool @ Dimond Park to swim together from 2:45pm - 4:00pm. Please bring clipper card/ clipper mobile or 4 dollars and 4 quarters to cover the $2.50 fare to get to and from the pool.
  • Fridays: June 16th, June 23rd, June 30th, 12:30pm - 5:00pm, $12 per session. Drop off/ Pick up at Mosswood Park. We will walk to Temescal Pool to swim together from 1:45pm-3:15pm.
  • Please ensure to pack enough waters and snacks

July Summer Camp at Lake Merritt:

The Inclusion Summer Camp at Lake Merritt Program is open to individuals with and without developmental disabilities, between the ages of 13 and 22. This summer camp experience will offer opportunities for community exploration, creative expression, and life-long friendships.

We will be very active within the community, so please ensure your teen or young adult has a clipper card ready for our explorations! Weekly activity schedules will be share ahead of time.

Meeting spot will be the Lakeside Park Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Ave, Oakland, Ca 94610. Let park attendants know you're dropping off for camp!

  • Session 1: July 3rd-July 7th (Closed July 4th), 9:00am-5:00pm, $256
  • Session 2: July 10th - July 14th, 9:00am - 5:00pm, $320
  • Session 3: July 17th - July 21st, 9:00am - 5:00pm, $320
  • Session 4: July 24th - July 28th, 9:00am - 5:00pm, $320

Register on cityofoakland.perfectmind.com or email bposada@oaklandca.gov to inquire.

On cityofoakland.perfectmind.com Inclusion Programs can be found under the tab "Special Programs & Events"


ADA Accommodation Information for OPRYD Programs

ADA INCLUSION STATEMENT: The City of Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development (OPRYD) Department is fully committed to compliance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please make accommodation requests at least 10 days prior to an event. Direct all inquiries concerning program modifications to the OPRYD Recreation Program Director of Inclusive Services, Bianca Posada, at 510.597.5064, bposada@oaklandca.gov, or call 711 for California Relay Service.

All participants have a right to enroll in the OPRYD program of their choice, so long as they meet the age and registration requirements of the program. If reasonable accommodations are needed to support full participation in our OPRYD programs, please email the Recreation Program Director of Inclusive Services, Bianca Posada, to get the conversation started. The Rec. Program Director will ask questions that focus on the individual and how to best support their unique and individual needs.

Please note:

The ADA does not require OPRYD to provide to individuals with disabilities personal devices, such as wheelchairs; individually prescribed devices, such as prescription eyeglasses or hearing aids; readers for personal use or study; or services of a personal nature including assistance in eating, toileting, or dressing.

We do not charge extra for accommodations, however if a 1:1 aide is required, we ask that families connect with Regional Center of the East Bay or other local resources that help with funding extra staff. Extra OPRYD recreation aides can assist with transitions, relaying directions, helping with focusing on projects, and modeling desired behaviors. Aides from outside organizations (United Cerebral Palsy, Regional Center of the East Bay, etc.) are also welcome.

Our staff do not offer Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), but an ABA therapist from an outside organization may accompany your child.

If your child consistently exhibits behaviors that are harmful to themselves or other participants, and may require restraints, we may ask that they seek a more structured setting.

Program Information

Recreation Therapy Internship Program

We currently are accepting students from California State University, Sacramento, looking to obtain their recreation therapy certification. Supervised by a CTRS (Certification ID #68389). Interested in learning more? Email Bianca Posada at bposada@oaklandca.gov to inquire.

Community Resources - More Coming Soon!

The Center for Independent Living, Inc. (The CIL)

  • "The Center for Independent Living provides advocacy and services that increase awareness, collaboration, and opportunity among people with disabilities and the community at large."
  • Learn more about the variety of programs they offer by clicking here
  • The CIL Social Club: "What is Social Club? The CIL’s Social Club is for youth with disabilities between the ages of 14 and 26 interested in having fun and creating lasting bonds!" Email kmckee@centerforindependentliving.org to inquire about Social Club events.

Ala Costa Centers

  • "We are here to contribute to the
    enrichment of lives of Children & adults with developmental disabilities
    Provide each youth and young adult at Ala Costa with the skills and opportunities they need to become successful and productive members of society."
  • Services offered include after school programs, transition programs, adult community trainings, and more.
  • Click here to learn more

Special Olympics Sports Opportunities

BORP

  • BORP provides sports, recreation and fitness programming for children, youth and adults with physical disabilities and visual impairments.
  • "BORP’s programs provide ongoing opportunities for PLAY and ADVENTURE, promote EMPOWERMENT and INDEPENDENCE, and foster an inclusive, diverse and welcoming COMMUNITY."
  • Click here to check out their programs

Special Skaters Adaptive Skating Program

  • The Oakland Ice Center/Sharks Ice proudly offers a learn to skate program which has been developed especially for athletes with special physical and developmental challenges. Emphasizing fun and safety, the Special Skater program helps to improve balance and coordination which promotes an "I can do it!" attitude that carries over into other aspects of the participant's life. With the assistance of volunteers, skaters develop skills, make new friends and experience a new found freedom and sense of accomplishment.
  • Family Fun Fridays 5:00pm - 5:45pm
  • Special Skaters Hockey Fridays at 6:00pm
  • Email Skating Manager David Hicks at dhicks@sharksice.com to learn more

Dimond Equine Services

  • Oakland City Stables offers opportunities for equine therapy with mini horses!
  • Contact Melanie to learn more
  • Click here to learn more

Night to Shine

  • A free event for individuals, ages 14 and up, to experience a prom-like event with a 1:1 buddy.
  • The prom includes a dance, food trucks, a karaoke room, a quiet room with art projects, therapy animals, and sensory activities, and so much more!
  • Click here to learn more

#RebuildMosswood

Help us rebuild Mosswood Recreation Center! Donate to Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation using the following link:

http://www.oaklandparks.org/news/donate-mosswood-recreation-center