The Baltimore City Recreation and Parks Department will be making some changes to its pool policies to make city-run pools more inclusive for people with disabilities.
“That’s all we really need,” says Stephen Offutt of Walking Discovery, “simple solutions and awareness.”
The change is a big win for Offutt and his organization, Walking Discovery, which organizes outings for adults with disabilities.
“It was so refreshing to see the changes we wanted implemented so quickly and easily,” Offutt said.
Earlier this month, he and his group had a bad experience at the pool at Druid Hill Park, mainly due to the pool rules.
When the group tried to bring in needed medical supplies, they ran into problems because of the no-carry-bags rule.
Offutt visited the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks to explain the issue.
Now there is a change.
“Basically they’re allowing red mesh bags that act as a sort of signal to the lifeguards to say, ‘Hey, this bag is OK,'” Offutt said.
Not only that, Recreation and Parks will add sensory swim hours at the pool at Patterson Park on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
“There will be no public spectators, no crowds, no noise, no music,” Offutt said. “It will be an hour and a half of low-key.”
New training will be provided for staff.
“We recently hired a new DEI coordinator and she has been helping train our swim team and making sure they have the best information on how to serve people of all abilities this summer.”
Offutt said he has also been asked to help arrange accommodations for Artscape this year.
In the meantime, he plans to work to ensure the pool remains open to all.
“We need to get back to the pool and make sure everything is OK and that our treatment is in line with the law and accommodations,” Offutt said.
Offutt said he’s also focused on growing his group.
For more information on participating, please visit https://www.walkingdiscovery.com/
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