Inclusion Services

A reasonable accommodation is an adjustment or modification made to a program that supports the successful participation of an individual with a disability, without causing an undue financial or administrative hardship or changing the overall nature of a program. 

• Register for the program of your choice AT LEAST 2 weeks in advance.
• Submit an accommodation request AT LEAST 2 weeks in advance. You can submit your request online, by emailing inclusion@walnutcreekca.gov, or calling (925) 943-5899 ext. 2439.
• A City of Walnut Creek staff member, in cooperation with you or someone from your support team, will discuss any specific support needs and make necessary accommodations on a case-by-case basis. 
• A City of Walnut Creek staff member will periodically observe the program to provide support and answer questions. 
• Communication between the City of Walnut Creek staff, the course instructors, and the individual and/or support team is continued throughout the cooperative inclusion process. 

All individuals, with and without disabilities, must meet minimum qualifications to participate in the City of Walnut Creek’s Arts + Recreation programs.  These include: 

• Meeting the age and registration requirements of the program.
• Following the Code of Conduct (with or without reasonable accommodations.) 
• Safety is our top priority. Unsafe behavior is not permitted. A participant who continually exhibits unsafe behavior may be dismissed from programs.
• Voluntary participation: active participation in our programs is encouraged by instructors, but not forced.  
• Level of participation: with or without reasonable accommodations, the participant will engage in scheduled activities for the majority of the program time. 
• Ability to use a consistent form of communication to indicate basic needs and follow directions. 
• Ability to participate, with or without reasonable accommodations, as a member of a larger social group (12 or more people.) 

• Disability awareness training given to staff
• Activity modification 
• Behavior management support 
• Adaptive equipment 
• Inclusion Support staff that provide basic redirection and assist the whole class

• Inclusion Support staff are employees or volunteers provided by the City of Walnut Creek. 
• Inclusion Support staff receive training to support City of Walnut Creek Arts + Recreation programs and to provide basic support. 
• Inclusion Support staff can help repeat directions and model requested behavior. 
• Inclusion Support staff are provided as an accommodation on a case-by-case basis and are for the benefit of the entire program for all individuals participating.
• Inclusion support is meant to create a smaller staff to participant ratio. If a participant needs more supervision or assistance, it is requested that 1:1 aide accompany the participant provided by the family.  

• Yes, you can attend with a personal aide. Aides can include (but are not limited to) ABA Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Direct Support Professionals.
• Attending with the same aide the individual works with at home provides continuity in their personal therapy and tends to make the transition into programs smoother.
• To maintain a positive and focused experience for all participants, the City of Walnut Creek generally limits classroom settings to one aide per participant. 
• We strongly encourage that accompanying aides are not immediate family members to allow for more natural instructor to participant interactions.

• Reasonable accommodations are provided at no cost by the City of Walnut Creek’s Arts + Recreation Department.
• Participants pay the regular program fees.

• Ensures that all participants have access to programs of their interest.  
• Promotes participation in arts and recreation programs in the least restrictive environment and fosters independence.
• Provides an opportunity for all participants to learn more about each other and experience a diverse environment.  
• Provides services focused on meeting the needs, interests and abilities of each individual. 

Inclusion services do not include the following: 

• 1:1 personal assistance from staff/volunteers.

• Physical restraint or intervention beyond gentle redirection.

• Provision of a separate area or alternate activities for a significant portion (more than 25%) of the scheduled program.

• Exception to minimum compliance with the program's rules and regulations, with or without accommodations, established for the safety of all program participants and staff.

• Hiring, selection, or guaranteed assignment of a specific staff member.

• Individualized therapy within a program.

• Provision and/or purchase of personal custom devices.

• Guarantee of Inclusion Support personnel at desired time of program.

• Assistance feeding or using the restroom.