All registration information for special needs programming can be found if you click here. This website will give detailed information of times, dates, locations, and more! If you have further questions, please contact Lyndsey at lyndsey@rararecreation.org or 947-886-0084 (this number can no longer receive text messages).

Join us for specialized classes focusing on teaching and practicing specific social skills in a clinic setting. Adaptations/Modifications and sensory items provided as needed by Certified Recreational Therapists. These classes are taught by Therapeutic Concepts and will take place at their facility Therapeutic Concepts @ Therapeutic Concepts 38257 Mound Road Building D Sterling Heights, MI 48310

Social Skills Workshop: Conversation Skills

January 23 6:00-7:00 $28/resident $34/non-resident (Registration opens December 1)

January's class will focus on conversation skills. The following topics will be addressed: Introducing Self, Talking about self: expressing interests, Identifying strengths in self, Asking questions, Appropriate/inappropriate conversations, Maintaining a conversation, Reading body language/non-verbals

14+ years

Social Skills Workshop: Friendship Skills

March 22 6:00-7:00 $28/resident $34/non-resident (Registration opens December 1)

March's class will focus on friendship skills. The following topics will be addressed: Active listening skills, Identifying good qualities in a friend, Assertive communication with a friend, Safety awareness when making new friends

14+ years

Open Spot Theatre's program is specifically designed for everyone, from students with developmental disabilities to seniors looking for a fun, new adventure. These particular workshops are designed for people with disabilities.

Introduction to Theatre with Open Spot Theatre

January 25 6:00-7:00 $35 resident/$42 non-resident (Registration begins December 1)

Join us for a one hour, one time theatre extravaganza! We'll teach students of all abilities to sing, dance and act. At the end of our 60 minutes together the students will perform a short play that they themselves just wrote. It's a fun time! This class will be taught by Open Spot Theatre.

If you've participated in Open Spot's Introduction to Theatre class before, no worries! The students write a different play every time so each class is fun and new.

14+ years

Six Week Session of Theatre

 Mondays February 13-March 20 6:00-7:00 $205 resident/$225 non-resident (Registration begins December 1)

Come one, come all! Join us as we delve into the wonderful world of theatre. Students will study singing, acting and dancing through fun activities and games. At the end of our six weeks together, they will perform a showcase for family and friends that they themselves wrote. Let's go on with the show!

14+ years

This event is for individuals with physical disabilities (i.e., loss of limb or limb deficiency, vision impairment, impaired muscle power, impaired passive range of movement, hypertonia, ataxia). The event offers the first step to learning archery. This event covers the basics of archery, universal range safety rules, equipment identification, and basic techniques. We are proud to be certified by USA Archery to teach the same National Training System (NTS) used to prepare our Paralympic archers. Adaptations will be made individually as needed.

Per USA Archery, “Archery is a sport that is open to everyone; it is inclusive of all ages, genders and abilities. Athletes with physical or cognitive impairments, who may otherwise be dissuaded from participating in sports can participate in archery alongside athletes without any disability. Whether your goal is to just get out and socialize or be active, or to make a U.S. Paralympic or World Championship Team, archery is a sport that lends itself to any need.”

The archery programs held on January 15 and January 28 are the same programs.

$25 resident/$30 non-resident

16+ years

January 15 2:00-3:30 (Registration begins December 1)

January 28 1:00-2:30 (Registration begins December 1)

Class is held at Rising Phoenix Archery in Troy

Enjoy a movie and a pizza snack with friends, one Friday a month from September-April. This opportunity is designed to support persons with special needs. 14+ years

$17 resident/$21 non resident RARA Messy Room

November 18 5:30-7:30 

December 16 5:30-7:30

January 27 5:30-7:30 (Registration begins December 1)

February 24 5:30-7:30 (Registration begins December 1)

March 24 5:30-7:30 (Registration begins December 1)

April 21 5:30-7:30 (Registration begins December 1)

 WERQ is the wildly addictive cardio dance class based on the hottest pop and hip hop music. The workout is nonstop with repetitive athletic moves and fresh dance steps, so you get the best sweat. WERQ Instructors build a playlist based on trendsetting pop and hip hop music.

14+ Years

Fridays 4:30-5:15 January 6-March 24 (Off Feb 24) $110 resident/$130 non-resident (Registration begins December 1)

Fridays 4:30-5:15 Fridays April 14-May 19 $60 resident/$72 non-resident (Registration begins December 1)

Paint a Miracle Art Studio is uniquely designed to offer people living with disabilities and other challenges rich art opportunities developed to ignite the artist's imagination and self-discovery. Studio classes are offered for ages pre-primary through adult. Emphasis is placed on individual process, creativity, and expression. We are located at 400 Water St. Suite LL4 Rochester, MI 48307.

3 Week Drawing & Painting Animals - Registration begins December 1

Have fun learning how to draw and paint some of your favorite animals.

Parents/aides are welcome to attend to help. 

Mondays April 10-April 24 4:30-5:30 at Paint a Miracle

$125 resident/$145 non-resident

Landscape Painting - Registration begins December 1

Have fun learning how to paint a landscape on canvas.

Parents/aides are welcome to attend to help. 

March 11 10:00-11:00 at Paint a Miracle

$45 resident/$54 non-resident

Paint a Miracle Art Studio is uniquely designed to offer people living with disabilities and other challenges rich art opportunities developed to ignite the artist's imagination and self-discovery. Studio classes are offered for ages pre-primary through adult. Emphasis is placed on individual process, creativity, and expression. We are located at 400 Water St. Suite LL4 Rochester, MI 48307.

Painting Zoo Animals - Registration begins December 1

Designed to spark the creativity of young artists. Have fun painting zoo animals and experiencing art!

Parents/aides are welcome to attend to help. 

March 3 10:00-11:00 at Paint a Miracle

$45 resident/$54 non-resident

Jingle All the Way Dance

This dance is designed for persons who have special needs. Come boogie down with great music and dancing, while enjoy a fun evening with friends with a holiday and snowflake theme. Wear red and green to show your holiday spirit! Refreshments will be served.

December 2 6:00-8:00 for 14+ years

Location: Rochester Municipal Park's Lion Shelter

$20 resident/$24 non-resident

St. Patty's Dance (Registration begins December 1)

This dance is designed for persons who have special needs.   Come boogie down with great music and dancing, while enjoy a fun evening with friends with a St. Patty's Day Theme.  Refreshments will be served. 

March 17 6:00-8:00 for 14+ years

Location: TBD

$20 resident/$24 non-resident

One Monday a month enjoy a meal with friends at various local restaurants. This opportunity is designed to support persons with special needs. Participants pay for their own meal, beverage, and tip. PRE-REGISTER EARLY as spots are very limited and so that we have enough assistance and space reserved in the restaurants. 14+ Years. All times are 5:00-6:30

December 5 Location TBD 

January 9 Location TBD (Registration begins December 1)

February 6 Location TBD (Registration begins December 1)

March 6 Location TBD (Registration begins December 1)

April 3 Location TBD (Registration begins December 1)

$6 resident/$7.12 nonresident

 Judo classes are taught by a certified USJF black belt with over 30 years of teaching experience, including 7 years in adaptive programming for peoples with special needs. Class emphasizes safety and respect for others while being fun as well. Beginner Judokas will learn to fall safely, as well as master the fundamentals of basic Judo (throwing and pinning; there are no kicks and punching) and can eventually earn belt ranks. Just wear long sleeve sweats tops and bottoms. Gis (uniforms) can be purchased from the instructor when the participant decides on a gi.

Tuesdays 4:30-5:15 

$50 per month

RARA Wright Room

This opportunity is designed to support persons with special needs. Enjoy a movie with your friends at the theater one Wednesday a month. You will pay for your own ticket and concessions. Movies and times are based on the current theater schedule. Spots are EXTREMELY limited, so you must pre-register so that we have enough assistance and space reserved. Movie select/times will be emailed the week of the program. 14+ years

December 14 

January 18 (Registration begins December 1)

February 15 (Registration begins December 1)

March 8 (Registration begins December 1)

April 12 (Registration begins December 1)

Location: Emagine Theater, Rochester Road
Fee: $6 per evening resident/$8 per non-resident

Special Needs Leagues and Fitness

Special Needs Programs

SCAMP

Inclusive Recreation

If you have any questions regarding adaptive programs, please do not hesitate to contact Lyndsey Ramsay at 947-886-0084 (call or text) or via email at lyndsey@rararecreation.org