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Somerset
County Venues Support Special Needs
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Population
in Arts, Recreation and Discovery
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Bridgewater,
NJ – October 2018 / Newsmaker Alert / Children and adults throughout
Somerset County, N.J. are finding avenues for creative expression, recreational
activities and more at various venues that offer a range of programs geared
specifically to those with special needs.
“These
programs are important facets of Somerset County’s mission to provide enriching
opportunities for residents and visitors to ‘live, work, play and stay’,”
said Jacqueline Morales, director of Somerset
County Tourism. “Our partners are responding in meaningful and innovative
ways to varying needs and populations.”
Live
theatre for children with sensory or developmental differences
Residents
and visitors with children on the autism spectrum, with sensory or communication
disorders or with developmental differences can enjoy live theatre at “relaxed”
family performances that accommodate their audiences’ sensitivities at
these venues:
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The Theatre
at Raritan Valley Community College
(RVCCArts) in Branchburg offers sensory-friendly shows with theatre lights
dimmed, an “open door” policy that allows patrons to exit and enter as
needed and that contain no startling elements. The “no judgment” zone during
these performances welcomes children who may not be able to sit still or
sit quietly throughout the performance. The RVCCArts schedule of family
relaxed performances is at www.rvccarts.org/19/Events/YouthFamily.html.
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The State
Theatre New Jersey in nearby New Brunswick also offers sensory-friendly
shows with the same accommodations. In addition, the theatre offers a quiet
room where children can work off their energy with toys and not disturb
other theatre goers, and the ushers have been specially trained to assist
the families. For the schedule for the theatre’s autism-friendly performances,
visit www.stnj.org/relaxed.
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RVCC’s
planetarium offers a monthly sensory-friendly show called “The Sky Above”
with songs, stories, videos, laser lights and astronomy information presented
on a kindergarten level. It was designed by specialists who work with autistic
children and those with developmental disabilities. The sensory-friendly
shows are listed at www.raritanval.edu/planetarium.
Creative
outlets meet a broad range of special needs
Those
seeking creative outlets have an array of choices. The
Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster has monthly art outreach
programs for various groups in a safe, supportive setting:
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Adults
affected by cancer and their caregivers, served by the Cancer Support Community
of Central New Jersey in Bedminster, held at The Center
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Adults
with developmental disabilities, held at the Adult Services Branch of the
Midland School in North Branch
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Homeless
and at-risk youth served by Visions and Pathways, held at the Bridgewater
facility
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A year-round
pottery class at The Center for teens recovering from substance abuse at
Daytop New Jersey in Mendham
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Year-round
classes and a summer art program for children with autism spectrum disorder
and other special needs, held at The Center
Of note,
the ceramic studio has the area’s only wheelchair-accessible pottery wheel,
designed for those who use a wheelchair or must remain upright. Large print
literature about exhibits and The Center are available as are other special
services. Staff will accompany any individual through gallery exhibits
if
assistance is required and assistive listening devices are available with
advance notification. More information is at www.ccabedminster.org/art-reach.
The
Arts
Access Program at Matheny in Peapack Gladstone offers unique fine arts
programming for people with disabilities in the areas of painting, digital
art creative writing, creative movement, choreography and drama. Each art
discipline uses specifically designed choice systems, technologies and
techniques, as well as professional artists who serve as neutral facilitators,
so that each participant can create works that are distinctly their own.
The
pioneering arts program, established in 1993, is based on unlimited freedom
of artistic choice and is open to all individuals with disabilities. It
is located in the Robert Schonhorn Arts Center, a fully accessible, state-of-the-art
facility at Matheny with an expansive art studio, professional stage and
auditorium, and a spacious, light-filled gallery.
The
culmination of the program’s 25th anniversary year will be its annual arts
event on November 3. “Full Circle 2018: Then & Now” celebrates the
artists and their work with a new gallery exhibit, multi-media stage show
and fine food reception. The event is open to the public and all proceeds
benefit the Matheny Arts Access Program. For more information, visit www.artsaccessprogram.org.
Making
outdoor fun and education accessible to all
The
Somerset County Park Commission offers many recreational programs at various
locations for children and adults with developmental and other disabilities,
from adaptive horseback riding to flower arranging to summer camps. A list
of parks and therapeutic recreation programs is at www.somersetcountyparks.org.
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Lord Stirling
Stables in Basking Ridge offers an adapted horseback riding program called
T.R.A.I.L.S. (Therapeutic Recreation Adapted Instruction at Lord Stirling),
where small groups of riders are assisted by volunteers. T.R.A.I.L.S. covers
all the basics of a regular riding program at a slower pace based on each
group’s abilities, and uses adaptive or assistive equipment to accommodate
each rider’s needs. With inclusion as a goal, many riders may progress
to take mainstream beginner lessons.
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Making
environmental education available to all visitors, the Environmental Center
at Lord Stirling Park has a discovery garden trail with a fully accessible
boardwalk and the visitor center has elevator access to the Great Swamp
Experience, an interactive exhibit on the lower floor.
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Colonial
Park in Franklin Township offers many accommodations for those with visual
or mobility impairments. The Fragrance and Sensory Garden, designed to
be of special interest for visitors who are visually or physically impaired,
is fully accessible; there are paddle boats on the pond that can be powered
with arms rather than legs; and the playground has many accessible features
in a safe environment. A specially designed, fully accessible one-acre
putting course enables all golf enthusiasts to practice their putting.
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Duke Island
Park in Bridgewater has a wheelchair-accessible path to the playground,
accessible picnic tables, and a walking trail with a paved loop for those
w/mobility impairments.
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All public
golf courses operated by the park commission have single-rider carts that
allow golfers with disabilities to drive right onto the greens (weather
permitting), and the seats pivot and tilt, enabling those who cannot stand
to golf while seated. The seats also raise and lower to make it easier
to get in and out of the cart.
Additional
resources for families
The
EmPower Somerset Childhood Disability Resource Guide is available at www.empowersomerset.com/resources.
It has comprehensive listings, in English and Spanish, of social service
agencies, support groups, educational programs, information on disability
rights, and much more.
About
Somerset County Tourism
Somerset
County Tourism, a 501(c)(3) organization, is the official destination
marketing organization (DMO) for Somerset County, N.J. and a Division of
the Somerset County Business Partnership.
Its mission is to advance the local economy by sustainably promoting the
area’s outstanding travel products and experiences, and to offer a variety
of useful services to residents, business travelers and leisure visitors.
Somerset County Tourism is an active member of New Jersey Destination Marketing
Organizations and the New Jersey Tourism industry Association. For more
information visit www.VisitSomersetNJ.org
or call 908-218-4300, ext. 28.
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Media
Contacts:
Jacqueline
Morales
Somerset
County Tourism Director
908-218-4300
Caryn
Starr-Gates
StarrGates
Business Communications
for
Somerset County Tourism
201-791-4694 |