NWSRA exists to provide outstanding recreation for children and adults with disabilities
Building the Heart of the Community
NWSRA Vision Statement:
To be a leading force, creating greater options that enrich the life experiences of the participants, families and communities we serve.
NWSRA is excited to open new doors of opportunity for thousands of children and adults with disabilities through the implementation of the Dream Lab Accessible Technology Center in Rolling Meadows, Community Sensory Garden in Hanover Park and Snoezelen Sensory Room in Mt. Prospect. Join us as we build the Heart of the Community!
Click any of the links below to learn more about these exciting projects!
Dream Lab Accessible Technology Center
@Rolling Meadows
This center will enable clients to compensate for the impairments they experience, promoting independence, decreasing the need for additional support, and allowing for access of information and enjoyment of music, sports, travel, and the arts independently. This room will be an equalizer for diverse learners and can assist with social development and motivation and help staff personalize therapeutic lessons.
Purpose and Goals
The Dream Lab will empower people throughout our communities to realize their full potential through a fully accessible window to the world. Following are the goals of the project:
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Promote a person’s physical and mental well-being through the use of interactive technology
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Provide relief from tension and give a sense of accomplishment
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Promote fine and gross motor skills
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Engage stimulation of all senses
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Encourage communication and working with others
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Ability to transfer knowledge of tech skills from NWSRA to home/work
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Engage in good digital citizenship
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Know and appreciate the importance of technology
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Ability to apply tools, materials, processes and technical concepts safely and efficiently
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Uncover and develop individual talents
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Apply problem-solving techniques
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Apply creative abilities
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Adjust to the changing environment
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Facilitate experiences encouraging flexibility, adaptability, resourcefulness and embracing new challenges
Project timeline
The Dream Lab will be used by a variety of programs, including PURSUIT, STAR Academy, Leisure Education, Social Clubs, Music Classes, Sensory and Technology Classes and Specialized STEM camps and programs. In addition, the facility will provide additional opportunities for potential collaborative programs with other Park District programs including Preschool, Seniors, etc. For more information, contact Rachel Hubsch at 847-392-2848, ext. 231 or e-mail rachelh@nwsra.org.
Community Sensory Garden
@Hanover Park
A sensory garden is an environment that is designed with the purpose of stimulating the senses. This stimulation occurs through plants and the use of materials that engage one's senses of sight, smell, touch, taste, and sound. The use of the garden can primarily focus on one sense, or it can incorporate all of them, be used as an educational tool that allows them to explore and learn about their senses and nature, provides them with a healthy place of discovery and allows a therapeutic and safe way for the participants to explore their senses.
Project timeline
Purpose and Goals
The Community Sensory Garden will provide a therapeutic environment that the entire Hanover Park Community can enjoy.
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Create a therapeutic connection between people and plants
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Promote a person’s physical and mental wellbeing
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Provide relief from tension, and give a sense of accomplishment
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Gardening can divert your thoughts about yourself and your situation.
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Promote fine and gross motor skills
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Stimulation of the senses
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Teach how to participate in a cooperative effort
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Physical benefits
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Learn how to form positive relationships
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Increase nonverbal communication
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Facilitate experiences encouraging flexibility, adaptability and resourcefulness
Research has shown that when individuals with disabilities interact in a garden it helps them increase their awareness of the world around them. In addition, the Community Sensory Garden will allow the NWSRA PURSUIT Adult Day Program and STAR Academy After Care Program to include Horticulture Therapy in its activities. For more information, contact Andrea Griffin at 847-392-2848, ext. 235 or e-mail andreag@nwsra.org.
Snoezelen Sensory Room
@Mt. Prospect
This will be the third Snoezelen Sensory Room for NWSRA. NWSRA’s first Snoezelen Sensory Room opened in 2016 in the NWSRA Programming Space at the Rolling Meadows Park District. The second opened in 2018 in the NWSRA Programming Space at the Hanover Park Park District. Each Snoezelen Sensory Room is unique, and designed to meet the needs generated by each programming space.
Purpose and Goals
By allowing one to participate through their own free will in a safe environment, staff maximize the individual’s potential to focus, feel in control, make choices and reduce mental and physical pain and anxiety.
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Physical Improvement
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Fine & gross motor
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Cognitive Improvement
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Problem solving & discussion making
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Emotional Improvement
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Cooperation/Collaboration & Increased Confidence
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Affective Improvement
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Improvements in Affective Regulation & Emotional Expression
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Linguistic Improvement
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Utilizing Descriptive/Expressive Language & Word Association/Meaning ex. Slimy
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Social Improvement
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Verbal Communication & Nonverbal Communication
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Project timeline
Snoezelen Sensory Rooms are therapeutic spaces where participants are placed in a soothing and/or stimulating environment. Each Snoezelen Sensory Room is designed to deliver stimuli to various senses and be used to provide multi-sensory or single sensory focus. It is a non-directive therapy that is controlled by the participant not by the therapist and individualized to each participant’s sensory and behavioral needs. For more information, contact Andrea Griffin at 847-392-2848, ext. 235 or e-mail andreag@nwsra.org.