ACTIVE LIVING CENTREPromoting Opportunities for Active Living and Healthy Lifestyles

at Bloorview Macmillan Children’s CentreOACRS CONFERENCE - OCTOBER 2003, TORONTO ONTARIO

ACTIVE LIVING CENTREAT BLOORVIEW MACMILLAN

• Bloorview MacMillan Children’s Centre is dedicated to enabling children and youth with disabilities and special needs to achieve their personal best.

• In partnership with families and communities, we create innovative programs and services to enrich the independence and quality of life of children and families in Ontario and beyond.

ACTIVE LIVING CENTREWELCOME

• The Active Living Centre is a multi-purpose space and resource centre.

• It showcases and provides information and resources about many recreation programs, products and services.

• The purpose is to increase participation in recreation activities at home, at school and in the community.

ACTIVE LIVING CENTREBACKGROUND

• Started as a project called the Recreation Awareness Program in the late 1980’s

• Purpose: to provide recreation information for outpatients

• Developed a Recreation Resource Centre which eventually became the Active Living Centre

ACTIVE LIVING CENTREBIG SCREEN TV

• Videos come alive on a big screen TV!

• Easy to see• Engaging• Motivating

ACTIVE LIVING CENTRESENSORY CORNER

There are also “hands-on” opportunities to try equipment and products such as sensory items.

ACTIVE LIVING CENTRESNOEZELEN OUTREACH

• Lorraine Thomas, Snoezelen Outreach Co-ordinator, is available to provide information and resources about Snoezelen and sensory environments

• Lorraine developed our unique Snoezelen Pool -the first in North America!

ACTIVE LIVING CENTRECOMFORT

• Inviting drop-in environment

• Comfortable seating

• Lighting can be changed depending on use.

ACTIVE LIVING CENTREMAGAZINES, GUIDES & BROCHURES!

ACTIVE LIVING CENTREMUSIC TECHNOLOGY

• Here are Evelyn Greenidge, Music Therapist and Roger Knox, “Music Doctor” and Researcher, showing the “MidiMate” - music technology that uses jelly-bean switches for easier keyboarding.

• They provide Adapted Music Services, together with Ceilidh Eaton who provides music lessons using a Virtual Musical Instrument.

ACTIVE LIVING CENTRECOMMUNITY

Bulletin board displays and resource materials help promote community groups and organizations such as the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability.

ACTIVE LIVING CENTRERECREATION AWARENESS PROGRAM

• Leisure Counselling• Community

Networking • Community

Development• Research• Recreation

Information and Resources

ACTIVE LIVING CENTREABILITY ONLINE

• A monitored online community of friendship and support for children and youth with disabilities.

• Computer and printer are housed in a special rolling cabinet in the Active Living Centre.

ACTIVE LIVING CENTREHAL 2000

• Here is Jerzy Antczak, Rehabilitation Engineer, talking into a flexible microphone using a voice recognition system called HAL 2000.

• It can turn on equipment such as a bubble tube through voice activation.

ACTIVE LIVING CENTRESTUDENTS

Students like Jerome and Andrea help out with bulletin boards, research projects, displays and assisting with families and programs.

ACTIVE LIVING CENTREC.H.A.P.

• This is Tatjana Smrekar of C.H.A.P., Community Helpers for Active Participation - part of respiteservices.com

• This service helps families find 1:1 workers for support and helps match workers to families.

ACTIVE LIVING CENTREMOTIVATION

ACTIVE LIVING CENTRERECREATION EQUIPMENT LOAN

• Adapted Recreation Equipment Assessments

• Adapted Recreation Equipment Rental for up to 3 weeks

• Free of Charge• Assistance with

modifications• Wish List!