March is Developmental Disabilities Inclusion Month in Fairfax County. At Neighborhood and Community Services, our mission is to partner with communities, families and individuals to provide opportunities to access a continuum of resources that promote equity and create positive outcomes for people of all ages and abilities.

Here is a spotlight on some of the excellent county and NCS programs that support person with disabilities this month and all year round.

Explore Programming: Visit TRACERS to see and register for dozens of programs for children through senior adults. NCS’ Therapeutic Recreation has social clubs, sports and fitness, outings and more. The drop-in F.A.N.tastic Times for persons ages 5 -12 with autism and their families is also returning in April. Children with special needs are fully included in all School Age Child Care centers. In addition, SACC programs at Key and Kilmer Centers serve youth, ages 5-21, with multiple types of disabilities, and Therapeutic Recreation Camp offers an affordable and engaging summer camp experience.

A Calming Place: Sensory Rooms at Providence, Sully and Lorton Community Centers are person-centered, safe and nurturing environments designed to enhance the quality of life for individuals of all ages. Swinging chairs, lights and sound, and interactive touch screens are among the elements that provide a calming sensory environment and may help improve communication and social skills, enhance concentration, focus and memory and promote leisure education.

Virtual Learning: NCS has partnered with Arlington and Prince William counties and ServiceSource for the Virtual Center for Active Adults, which brings learning and recreation to people through live, interactive programs in a wide variety of topics.

Supporting Seniors: NCS has more than a dozen senior centers for older adults to pursue hobbies, fitness goals, special interests (such as art, music, and technology), friendships and enjoy a wide variety of activities with their peers. Inclusion supports are available. The county also has four Adult Day Health Care locations, where the focus is on engaging participants who need more support mentally, physically and socially. 

For more information on specific inclusion supports, please visit the NCS website and click the department listings on the left hand menu.