Recreation Without Limits
NWSRA partners with 17 park districts in the northwest suburbs of Chicago to provide inclusive recreational opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. Led by Certified Therapeutic Recreation Professionals (CTRS), programs are designed to support personal growth, build friendships, and create meaningful experiences through sports, arts, social activities, and community outings.
As NWSRA celebrates more than 50 years of enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities, NWSRA’s impact continues to grow. In 2025 alone, NWSRA reached over 10,000 program registrations, offering a wide variety of recreation and support services that promote inclusion, independence, and community connection. With a strong commitment to innovation and accessibility, NWSRA provides programs for every stage of life — from early childhood to adulthood — ensuring every participant has the opportunity to succeed.
Mission Statement
To provide outstanding opportunities through recreation for children and adults with disabilities.
Vision Statement
To be a leading force, creating greater options that enrich the life experiences of the participants, families and communities we serve.
Core Values
Teamwork: Support each other and work together
Respect: Be open, honest and kind
Enthusiasm: Exceed expectations
Collaboration: Combine resources to achieve common goals
Communication: Listen, share and adapt
Diversity: Self Evaluate, Educate, Celebrate, Advocate and Represent
DEI Statement
Respect is a core value at Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA). Together, we can continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our participants, families, staff, volunteers and stakeholders. Embracing diversity in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity and perspective; empowers staff to serve unique needs in innovative ways. At NWSRA, we believe that when people feel respected and included, they can be more creative, innovative and successful. We are committed to working with participants, families, staff volunteers and stakeholders to continually learn, share and grow.
Fair Play at NWSRA
NWSRA is committed to making safety an integral part of an enjoyable recreation and leisure experience for all participants. Each participant shall have the opportunity to enjoy NWSRA programs and services, or if desired, programs and services provided by an NWSRA member district. NWSRA and its member districts take great pride in providing recreation and leisure services and opportunities to individuals with disabilities, and are mutually and or individually committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Fair Play at NWSRA process cannot be considered absolute; but shall serve as a frame of reference for evaluation of specific proposals and recommendations.
Fair Play at NWSRA is a process which NWSRA uses to make recreation programs and services safe for all participants, staff & community members. Fair Play at NWSRA sets out the NWSRA expectations for the conduct of participants with or without disabilities, in recreation programs, or access to a service provided by NWSRA.
NWSRA participants are expected to abide by the Behavior Code of Conduct at all times. The following Behavior Code of Conduct for all participants has been developed to make NWSRA programs safe, enjoyable and successful for all parties involved. Additional expectations may be developed for particular programs and services as deemed necessary by the NWSRA staff. The Behavior Code of Conduct extends to all parties in attendance of NWSRA programs in any capacity. The Behavior Code of Conduct requires all participants to:
- Remain within the established program boundaries
- Show respect to all participants, staff, and members of the public
- Refrain from unwanted and/or harmful physical contact
- Refrain from using abusive, threatening, or foul language
- Show respect to equipment, supplies, and facilities