Accessibility and Inclusion in Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services

Everyone, with or without a disability, is expected to follow the PRCS Code of Conduct so programs remain safe and welcoming. We work with participants to identify reasonable accommodations that support meeting program expectations, but accommodations are not used to excuse or allow unsafe or disruptive behavior to continue.

The purpose of accommodations is to allow participants the ability to fully engage with, participate in, and enjoy the services and activities we offer. It is an expectation that all participants with and without accommodations will consistently participate in program activities during the structured hours of the program. If participation is consistently below 50%, the parent/guardian/support person will be contacted to discuss whether accommodations or other adjustments may be available.

If behavior that violates the Code of Conduct creates a serious safety risk, staff may temporarily remove a participant or suspend participation to protect everyone. This is always a last resort. Serious safety risk behavior includes but is not limited to physical aggression, running away/wandering/elopement, or other dangerous actions.

Before considering suspension or removal from a program, we will always try:

• De-escalation
• Redirection
• Accommodations 
• Supportive strategies 

Accommodations are adjustments tailored to an individual’s specific, disability-related needs to allow full participation in the program. These are determined on a case-by-case basis. Accommodations must not alter the essential nature of the program or create an undue burden. They should be reasonable, flexible, and innovative, and may vary based on program size, type, and duration.

When reasonable and appropriate, PRCS may provide accommodations such as (but not limited to):

• Assistive Listening Devices
• Sign language interpreters or other communication supports
• Accessible program spaces 
• Adaptive equipment 
• Modified schedules or sensory breaks 
• Smaller staff ratios
• Materials in alternate formats (large print, audio, etc.) 

Program Staff

Program Staff provide programmatic support to participants with disabilities when needed as an accommodation for full participation. Some examples of this would be physical support for someone with limited mobility, vision support, or ASL interpreting. If additional program staff is identified as a reasonable accommodation for a program, staff will coordinate those details.

Caregivers

Caregivers provide assistance with personal care tasks such as toileting, transferring, feeding, changing, management of medication, or medical treatment. PRCS staff do not provide personal care. Participants who require such support must hire and pay their own caregiver. Only one caregiver may provide support per participant. If more than one caregiver is needed, the participant/support person should make a request to the Program Supervisor. Caregivers must complete a background check, follow all program rules, and remain with the participant as needed for the duration of the program.

Additional information:

• Caregivers providing one-on-one assistance to a participant in a registered program receive free entry into the program.
• All participants and caregivers are required to follow program guidelines and the PRCS Code of Conduct.
• Caregivers must be 18 years of age or older.
• All caregivers for registration-based programs must be cleared with a background check. It takes 3-7 days for a background check to go through the system, so please plan accordingly. For more information and to complete a background check, contact Marshall Community Center at 360-487-7100 or email ParksRecCulture@cityofvancouver.us.
• A background check is not required for drop-in programs. Caregivers attending drop-in programs must sign the Caregiver Waiver/Policy Acknowledgement each day that they participate. This waiver is electronic and needs to be completed at the registration desk when entering Firstenburg or Marshall/Luepke community centers.

Support Person

A Support Person is an individual who has a legal or authorized responsibility to assist and represent a program participant. This may include a parent, legal guardian, social worker, case manager, or other authorized representative. A Support Person may sign required program documents, provide consent, and communicate with program staff on behalf of the participant. They may also help coordinate services, share important information about the participant’s needs, and ensure the participant understands program expectations. Support Persons must follow all program policies and may be asked to provide documentation verifying their authorization to act on the participant’s behalf.

• Complete the online form to register for a program using respite funds.
• Please make sure you complete the form completely and and have the following information ready:
  • ProviderOne ID # – this number ends in WA
  • Case worker name
  • Name of activity, registration barcode and dates
• After the form is submitted, enrollment in the requested activities or courses will be processed in the order they are received.
• Participants or support persons must contact their DDD/DDA/DSHS Case Resource Manager to inform them of the programs they requested for respite funds.
• An email enrollment confirmation and invoice will be sent to the participant/support person, as well as the case manager.
• Please notify us as soon as possible if the participant is unable to attend the program at 360-487-7100 or ParksRecCulture@cityofvancouver.us.

When registering for an activity, you will be directed to ePACT, a secure network that collects medical and emergency contact information electronically. This system ensures we have a way to communicate with parents, guardians and support persons easily and quickly in the event of an unexpected situation. You only need to complete ePACT information once and the system will remember it. ePACT maintains the same level of security as online banking and limits access to administrators. You can update your information in the system at any time and it will automatically be shared with appropriate program staff.

Have questions or feedback? Contact help@epactnetwork.com or call 1-855-773-7228 to speak with a member of ePACT’s Customer Success Team.​

Service animals are welcome. Pets, emotional support animals, therapy animals, and comfort animals are not allowed inside City facilities. Learn more about service animals at the City of Vancouver.