Resource Guide

Below you will find a list of resources in your community. The resources included have to do with recreation and leisure activities that you might find fun. I did my best to include activities that are low cost and of interest to individuals like you in middle and high school. Keep in mind…most of the resources are located in Washington, D.C. The others are located in parts of Maryland and Virginia that are close to the DC border. There is a description next to each resource to tell you more about what it is and what they have to offer you. Below each resource listed is a link to their webpage. If you want to see which resources are located in your neighborhood, go to the Community Map page to see an interactive map of your community.

 

Physically Active/Sports

  • Brendan Sailing Program
    • Description: The Brendan Sailing Program aims to teach children with learning differences, ages 11-18, beginners sailing lessons in order to help them grow and prosper through social interaction and education so that they may become more self-sufficient and confident. We exist to serve children with learning differences by introducing these youths to the joys of sailing through our 2-week programs.
    • Website: https://brendan-sailing.squarespace.com/
    • Address: K Street Washington D.C, DC 20005
    • Phone: (202) 697-1098
  • KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) Sports Program
    • Description: KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) provides one-to-one recreational opportunities for children and young adults with intellectual and physical disabilities at no cost to their families and caregivers. KEEN Greater DC now operates 26 programs throughout the national capital area, in DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. To enroll your child in any KEEN program, register early as classes fill quickly. It is available for youth ages 5-25 and is FREE!
    • Website: keengreaterdc.org
    • Address: PO Box 341590, Bethesda, MD 20827
    • Phone: (301) 770-3200
  • NOVA Cool Cats Special Hockey, INC
    • Description: Special Hockey Northern Virginia exists for the enrichment of the athlete with a developmental disability. In addition to physical hockey skills, the program emphasizes the development of desirable individual characteristics such as dependability, self-reliance.
    • Website: http://www.novacoolcats.org
    • Address: 601 F St NW Washington, DC 20004
    • Phone: (202) 955-8551 or (202) 628-3200
  • ReVision Dance Company
    • Description: ReVision is a contemporary modern dance company committed to artistic excellence and community building. Through performances, workshops and teaching residencies, ReVision works with diverse populations of professional dancers and novice movers. A unique aspect of our work is our dedication to engaging people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
    • Website: https://www.danceplace.org/revision-dance-company/
    • Address: 3225 8th Street NE, Washington, DC 20017
    • Phone: (202) 269-1600
  • Special Olympics
    • Description: The Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for individuals eight (8) years of age and older with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy. To find a Special Olympics program in your area, click on your location on the programs page below.
    • Website: https://www.specialolympics.org/programs
    • Contact: (National Office)-see community map to find your local office contact/address
    • Address: 1133 19th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
    • Phone: (202) 628-3630
  • SPIRIT Club
    • Description: Their mission is to offer a universal design for fitness that empowers people of all abilities to exercise successfully in a socially integrated setting. SPIRIT Club provides supportive and accommodating fitness programs that aim to increase the health & wellness of people of ALL abilities, including people with physical, developmental & psychological differences. S.P.I.R.I.T. is an acronym that represents their philosophy of ensuring programs are Social, Physical, Interactive, Respectful, Integrated and include Teamwork. SPIRIT Club strives to employ people with different abilities to lead & assist classes, and help maintain our administration and facility.
    • Website: spirit-club.com
    • Address: b, 10417 Metropolitan Ave, Kensington, MD 20895
    • Phone: 303-883-4364
  • Springfield Challenger Baseball
    • Description: Springfield Challenger Baseball is a division of West Springfield Little League for children with special needs ages 4-18, or up to age 22 if still enrolled in high school and for adults of any age. It has three divisions: Little Challenger for kids 12 and under, Majors for teens, and an adult division. It is managed under West Springfield Little League in cooperation with Central Springfield Little League and South County Little League. They offer an inclusive baseball program with peer buddy support, in a positive, fun atmosphere with role models for age appropriate behavior.
    • Website: http://www.springfieldchallenger.org
    • Address of West Springfield Little League office: 6500 Byron Ave, Springfield, VA 22150
    • Phone: Virginia & Maryland: (888) 854-5608; Springfield, Virginia: (703) 304-2330
  • Universal Martial Arts Center
    • Description: Serving NW Washington, DC, and Silver Spring Maryland School Districts, Offers Year Round Martial Arts and Gymnastics, Summer Camp and Before and After School Enrichment.
    • Website: http://www.universalmartialartscenter.com
    • Address: 8120 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910
    • Phone: 202-387-8622; 301-585-8622

Art and Music

  • Art Enables
    • Description: Art Enables is an arts-and-enterprise program for teens and young adults with developmental and/or mental disabilities from throughout DC. If you become an Art Enables participant: You come to the studio on scheduled days to create and market your own art under the guidance of professional artist-instructors. Your artwork is exhibited and sold in shows at the studio via retailers around the city and at galleries, markets, and special events throughout the region.
    • Website: https://art-enables.org/
    • Address: 2204 Rhode Island Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002
    • Phone: (202) 554-9455
  • Art League in Alexandria
    • Description: Art studio/Gallery open to all, that provides instruction to nearly 7,000 students annually. Courses are offered quarterly in virtually all of the fine arts, and a wide variety of crafts, with some of the most talented and well-known artists and instructors in the country. Courses are offered for every skill level to ages five and up. In the course finder section, enter either Children or Teen in the Category field to search for art classes.
    • Website: http://www.theartleague.org/school/
    • Address: 105 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314
    • Phone: (703) 683-2323
  • ArtStream
    • Description: ArtStream is a regional organization based in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area whose mission is to create artistic opportunities for individuals in communities traditionally under-served by the arts. ArtStream performances feature adult actors with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) — including autism — and other social and behavioral needs. Actors, volunteer mentors, and theatre professionals works as a team to create original performances for live audiences. These programs are geared for individuals 18 and up. ArtStream services are eligible for LISS and respite funding, and ArtStream students are eligible to pay in installments or receive tuition assistance.
    • Website: http://www.art-stream.org
    • Address: 8401 Connecticut Ave Suite 1230, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
    • Phone: (301) 565-4567
  • Imagination Stage
    • Description: Access at Imagination Stage endeavors to create an inclusive and welcoming environment and equitable access to all artistic and educational programming for students, staff, and visitors of all abilities. Imagination Stage offers: Arts Access classes and programs designed specifically for the needs of students with cognitive, language, gross motor, or developmental disabilities. Inclusion support for children of all abilities. Imagination Stage encourages children of all abilities to discover and develop their full creative potential through the performing arts. We work with students and their caregivers to identify and provide the most successful scenario for each student whether in a peer group Access class or in a general classroom setting with reasonable and appropriate inclusion supports. All placements provide children a safe and welcoming environment to develop and enhance language, gross motor, developmental, cognitive, social and life-learning skills.
    • Website: imaginationstage.org
    • Address: 4908 Auburn Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
    • Phone: (301) 280-1660
  • Smithsonian Accessibility Program
    • Description: The Accessibility Program supports the Smithsonian in making all visitors feel welcome by providing consistent, effortless access to the Institution’s programs, collections and facilities. Programs include:
      • All Access Camp A two-week, multi-media summer camp for twenty Washington, D.C.-area High School students with cognitive and intellectual disabilities.
      • Access to Opportunities Smithsonian Internship for People with Disabilities
      • Art Signs: Gallery Talks in American Sign Language
      • Smithsonian Folklife Festival Morning at the Museum A project of the Smithsonian Institution’s Accessibility Program and the Smithsonian Museums. Guided by a Community Advisory Committee comprised of museum educators, exhibit designers, professionals who work with children on the Autism Spectrum, parents, and self-advocates, the Smithsonian has developed a series of pre-visit materials designed to help children on the spectrum and their families enjoy a visit to the Smithsonian Museums.
      • Access American Stories Mobile App
      • Access American Stories is a bilingual (Spanish/English) “crowdsourced” audio experience and companion to the American Stories exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Designed to increase accessibility for visitors with low vision, the app offers everyone new ways of seeing 100 of America’s most evocative historical objects through the eyes of both visitors and museum staff.
      • Introductory Training: Children on the Autism Spectrum and Museums This training covers the basics of autism spectrum disorders and how museums can better engage families with children on the Autism spectrum.
      • Smithsonian ALL ACCESS Digital Arts Summer Camp
    • Website: https://www.si.edu/access
    • Address: 1000 Jefferson Dr., SW, Washington, DC 20560
    • Phone: (202) 633-2921
  • Washington Very Special Arts
    • Description: VSA, the international organization on arts and disability, was founded more than 35 years ago by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to provide arts and education opportunities for people with disabilities and increase access to the arts for all.
    • Website: http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/vsa/
    • Address: 1100 16th Street, NW Washington DC, DC 20036
    • Phone: (202) 261-0215
  • Words Beats and Life
    • Description: The DC Urban Arts Academy, a multi-medium hip-hop arts Academy was the first initiative. Next came Words Beats Life: The Global Journal of Hip-Hop. Following that the University Project came about, taking WBL back to where it began–transforming university classrooms and campuses through hip-hop culture via interactive workshops, exhibitions and gallery installations.  Moving forward, WBL has a number of emerging initiatives such as The Cipher: A Hip-Hop Business Incubator, that we believe will become regional and national models over the next few years.  We do hope that this new web site is a helpful tool for you to learn more about Words Beats and Life and how we might be a resource to you, your business, your family, your classroom, your community or your campus. This is not a program specifically geared for individuals with disabilities but is a free option to try for youth interested in the arts.
    • Website: wblinc.org
    • Address: 1525 Newton St, NW, Washington, DC 20010
    • Phone: (202) 667-1192

Video Games and Books

  • DC Developmental Disabilities Council Next Chapter Book Club
    • Description: They offer a unique community-based book club program for adolescents and adults with Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Taking a journey through a story with a group of friends makes reading even more delightful and fun.
    • Website: https://www.nextchapterbookclub.org/
    • Address: https://www.nextchapterbookclub.org/join-a-club
    • Phone: (800) 674-8390
  • DMV Gamers
    • Description: DMV Gamers specializes in connecting DC, Maryland, and Virginia gamers by providing a centralized place for gaming including local gaming events, customer event reviews, and forums. In addition, our team of technical experts provide reviews of computer components and gaming hardware.
    • Website: http://www.dmvgamers.com/
    • Contact: Ask for more details at admin@dmvgamers.com.
  • Washington, DC Department of Parks and Recreation
    • Description: The DC Department of Parks and Recreation offers DC residents hundreds of free programs for recreational and leisure. No matter what your interests are, DPR likely has an activity, class, sports league, or social network that will allow you to connect with your neighbors and enhance your day-to-day life. They even have new technology lounges for gamers out there. The tech lounges are located at Deanwood, Riggs LaSalle and Hillcrest Recreation Centers. Each lounge has a 65-inch Smart TV, iPads and computers with 27-inch monitors. They also offer Therapeutic recreation programs and services are to both District residents and non-residents with or without disabilities. Classes include: Aromatherapy, spring break camp, weight training, and water exercise and water sports.
    • Website: https://dpr.dc.gov/
    • Address: 1250 U Street, NW, 2nd floor, Washington, DC 20009
    • Phone: (202) 673-7647

Social Clubs

  • Best Buddies Capital Region (DC and VA)
    • Description: Best Buddies is a free to join club that aims to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Available for middle, high school, (Fosters one-to-one friendships between middle school/high school students with and without IDD, in which they share interests, experiences, and activities.) and e-buddies (Provides a safe place online to develop one-to-one friendships between people with and without IDD. By joining e-Buddies, participants become more comfortable using technology to communicate with friends, gain computer literacy skills, and are better equipped to socialize online in the future.
    • Website: https://www.bestbuddies.org/capitalregion/
    • Address: 6231 Leesburg Pike, Suite 310, Falls Church, VA 22044
    • Phone: (703) 533-9420
  • Boy/Girl Scouts of America
    • Description: Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. This is for youth up to age 17 and the cost is low (annual registration fee is $33). However, most units will require additional fees to cover the cost of certain activities and program supplies. The Scoutmaster can explain all the details about the unit’s annual fee and exactly what it includes. To find a Boy Scout or Girl Scout unit in your area, got to the below websites and enter your zip code, and select unit.
    • Websites:
    • Boy Scout Troop lookup https://beascout.scouting.org/
  • Contact for Boy Scouts of America Capital Area:
    • Address: 9190 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814
    • Phone: (301) 530-9360
  • Contact for Girl Scouts of America Capital Area:
    • Address: 816 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006
    • Phone: (202) 659-3780
  • JSSA-Jewish Social Service Agency
    • Description: offers social clubs, social skills groups, support groups for families, workshops for youth and parents, and other services for youth and families with disabilities.
    • Website: jssa.org
    • Address: 200 Wood Hill Rd, Rockville, MD 20850
    • Phone: (301) 838-4200

Summer Camps and Programs

  • Boating in DC Adaptive Kayaking (Summer) Program
    • Description: Have you wanted to experience kayaking? Boating in DC is offering an Adaptive Kayaking Program at our Ballpark Boathouse each Friday (July 31st through September 25th). Reduced cost of only $5 per session for program participants and $10 for guests, including family members, friends, caregivers or staff members. No prior kayaking experience is required. Individuals of all abilities are encouraged to attend. Kayaks, lifejackets and paddles are included. Boathouse staff are not able to assist with any personal care. Wheelchair accessible port-a-john is available on site. In the event of bad weather, we will cancel the program. If you are registered (required) you will be notified as soon as the decision is made.
    • Website: https://boatingindc.com/
    • Address: Potomac Avenue, SE & First Street, SE, Washington , DC 20003
    • Phone: (202) 337-9642 ext. 40
  • Camp Aristotle
    • Description: At Camp Aristotle, they believe that the summer should be stress-free and full of fun. Exciting activities, based on weekly themes, are carefully designed to foster friendships, self-awareness, exploration, and social success. Many students at Camp Aristotle experience challenges associated with Asperger’s Syndrome, high functioning autism, anxiety-related disorders, and ADHD; however, not all campers have a formal diagnosis. Students at Camp Aristotle may have trouble with peer relationships and/or impulse control. Sometimes, they have previously experienced unhappiness and frustration in camps where their need for tools such as sensory breaks were not respected or understood. Teachers and staff are specially trained to understand these needs. The goal is to provide all campers with an enjoyable, fulfilling and bully-free camp experience.
    • Website: https://www.theauburnschool.org/page/148
    • Address: 9545 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910
      • Camp Aristotle has campuses in Baltimore, Gaithersburg, Elkridge and Silver Spring, MD and Alexandria and Herndon, VA. Call for more details.
    • Phone: (202) 715-6244
  • Summit Special Needs Camp
    • Description: Special needs camp in Pennsylvania, near King of Prussia (Philly).
      • Camp and Travel: Coed Summit Camp serves campers ages 8-19 who have issues of AD/HD, Aspergers Syndrome, NLVD, mild learning disabilities, and/or mild social concerns. Based on a traditional camp program, campers find program success ,social skills improvement and emotional growth in a supportive environment that is also fun and exciting. Our season includes sessions of three weeks, two weeks, and three weeks – and combinations of them. Older campers, ages 16-19, may travel on one of three tours: California and National Parks; New England; Israel Adventure.
      • Weekender South: Weekender South is getaway weekend designed for to renew old friendships and perhaps make a few new ones. It includes young people , ages 11– 18, who are kids with issues of Aspergers syndrome, NVLD, and/or ADHD who would benefit from a directed weekend experience designed to foster socialization and independence. It operates from Friday after dinner until after lunch on Sunday. In addition to fun an important outcome is respite their family.
    • Website: summitcamp.com
    • Phone: 1-800-323-9908
  • TIC Computer Camp @ The Woods Academy
    • Description: Technology camp with shuttle bus provided. This camp is for youth ages7-16.
    • Website: http://www.ttlc.org/camp_littlefoot.htm
    • Address: 6801 Greentree Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817
    • Phone: (703) 241-5542
  • Xpress Yourself Social Skills Camp (Expressive Therapy Center)
    • Description: Camp attendees will be involved in a number of therapeutic activities that include such topics as:
      • Self-esteem building
      • Bully Busting
      • Expressing Feelings
      • Making & Keeping Friends
      • Setting Goals
      • Problem Solving
      • Organizational Skills
      • Conflict Resolution
      • Reading Verbal & Non-verbal Cues
    • Website: http://www.expressivetherapycenter.com
    • Address:
      • Maryland location: 10810 Darnestown Road Suite 103 North Potomac, MD 20878
      • Virginia location: 1320 Vincent Place McLean, VA 22101
    • Phone: (301) 869-1017

Parks and Recreation and Community Centers

  • City of Alexandria Parks and Recreation
    • Description: Alexandria parks and recreation offers a wide variety of neighborhood parks and recreation centers, pools, dog parks, farmers’ markets, waterfront activities and more. You can sign up for classes, sports teams, volunteer activities, and camps. They offer free programs and some that cost money, but they do have a fee assistance program to help pay if something is too expensive. They also offer inclusive programs for individuals with and without disabilities through the Therapeutic Recreation programs. Please contact the Therapeutic Recreation office at 703.746.5422 for more information and to determine whether the Therapeutic Recreation programs are right for you or a family member.
    • Website: https://www.alexandriava.gov/hub.aspx?id=89010
    • Address: 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria, VA 22314
    • Phone: (703) 519-3353
  • Arlington County Parks and Recreation
    • Description: Arlington County Parks and Recreation Therapeutic Office in VA provides specialized services for individuals with disabilities including social clubs, family-centered programming, camps, adapted classes and leisure education. In addition, they provide reasonable modifications and support if you ask for it to help you participate in activities with peers with and without disabilities. Arlington County Parks & Rec, Therapeutic Recreation Department also hosts a Family Fun night for families of children and teens on the autism spectrum. On the first Friday of every month they plan new leisure activities for families to participate in together. Try new games, crafts, and sports–activities will vary. Please contact Becky Suttell, Parks and Rec. for details at 703-228-4740 or bsuttell@arlingtonva.us.
    • Website: https://parks.arlingtonva.us/
    • Address: 2100 Clarendon Blvd Suite 414, Arlington, VA 22201
    • Phone: (703) 228-4747
  • Fairfax County Parks and Recreation
    • Description: Parks and Recreation offers classes, sports programs, and hosts dozens of events, from campfires and nature walks to gardening gatherings for residents of Fairfax County. They also have a Therapeutic Recreation Center that offers leisure activities for as a tool to promote personal growth, physical development, and independent functioning for individuals with disabilities. They have over thirty-five programs for people with disabilities; such as learning new recreation skills, socializing with peers, getting accommodations for participation in community activities, and participation in sports activities.
    • Website: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/recreation-and-parks
    • Contact:
    • Address: 12011 Government Center Pkwy, Suite 1050, Fairfax, VA 22035-1115
    • Phone: (703) 324-4386
  • Montgomery County Recreation/Therapeutic Recreation
    • Description: The MC Recreation Department offers many free and low-cost activities and classes in arts, music, martial arts, sports, STEM, cooking, dance, and many more. The Therapeutic Recreation department provides accessible leisure, educational and personal development activities for individuals with disabilities through inclusion and adaptive programs. They have classes in art, dance, fitness, martial arts, sports and swimming for youth and teens. In addition, there are adult social clubs, summer camps for youth, and seasonal special events. Financial aid through Rec Assist is available for those who qualify to help pays for programs that are not free.
    • Website: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/
    • Address: 4010 Randolph Rd, Wheaton, MD 20902
    • Phone: (240) 777-6840
  • Washington, DC Department of Parks and Recreation
    • Description: The DC Department of Parks and Recreation offers DC residents hundreds of free programs for recreational and leisure. No matter what your interests are, DPR likely has an activity, class, sports league, or social network that will allow you to connect with your neighbors and enhance your day-to-day life. They even have new technology lounges for gamers out there. The tech lounges are located at Deanwood, Riggs LaSalle and Hillcrest Recreation Centers. Each lounge has a 65-inch Smart TV, iPads and computers with 27-inch monitors. They also offer Therapeutic recreation programs and services are to both District residents and non-residents with or without disabilities. Classes include: Aromatherapy, spring break camp, weight training, and water exercise and water sports.
    • Website: https://dpr.dc.gov/
    • Address: 1250 U Street, NW, 2nd floor, Washington, DC 20009
    • Phone: (202) 673-7647

Therapeutic Horseback Riding

  • Circle of Hope Therapeutic Riding, Inc
    • Description: Circle of Hope Therapeutic Riding, Inc (Circle of Hope) is a nationally accredited non-for-profit 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to encouraging the physical and mental development of children and adults with developmental, psychological, or physical disabilities. Circle of Hope’s equine-facilitated approach incorporates cognitive, behavioral, psychological, and physical goals to increase self-confidence, self-esteem, physical independence, and social awareness.
    • Website: chtr.org
    • Address: 22500 W Harris Rd, Barnesville, MD 20838
    • Phone: (301) 873-3383
  • Great and Small
    • Description: Great and Small is a private, non-profit community-based program, that provides therapeutic horseback riding lessons to persons with a wide range of physical, emotional and cognitive disabilities. They serve students with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Multiple Sclerosis, among other challenges. They provide an opportunity to those with disabilities to experience the joy and therapeutic effect of horses. The movement of the horse helps teach balance, builds confidence, provides a sense of accomplishment, and is obviously fun! If you are a student attending a Montgomery County School, you can even volunteer here and it will count for your SSL hours.
    • Website: greatandsmallride.org
    • Address: 17320 Moore Rd, Boyds, MD 20841
    • Phone: (301) 349-0075

Other

  • The Arc of Montgomery County
    • Description: identifies, creates and sustains inclusive communities that embrace and engage individuals and families affected by intellectual and developmental disabilities.
    • Website: http://thearcmontgomerycounty.org/
    • Address: 4140 Wexford Dr, Kensington, MD 20895
    • Phone: (301) 84-5777
  • The Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington
    • Description: The Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington provides recreational activities to everyone, including people of all backgrounds, religions and abilities. They offer fitness and group exercise programs, aquatic activities, sports activities, and classes for various activities such as arts, dance, music, theater, film. They offer various inclusive social events and volunteer activities.
    • Website: edcjcc.org
    • Address: 1529 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
    • Phone: (202) 518-9400
  • Potomac Community Resources, Inc.
    • Description: Serves hundreds of individuals with developmental differences, their families, and involved professionals through programs that take place at various locations throughout Montgomery County, and serving individuals from across the Washington, DC area. Supports the Therapeutic Recreation Fund, designed to introduce various sports and fitness classes that offer the much-needed physical activity that is lacking in many programs for children and youth with disabilities.
    • Website: pcr-inc.org
    • Address: 9200 Kentsdale Dr, Rockville, MD 20854
    • Phone: (301) 365-0561
  • SchoolTalk, Inc
    • Description: Works with parents, schools, and the school system to improve communication and dispute resolution processes that are associated with the delivery of special education services. SchoolTalk works to develop models that can be replicated in school systems nationwide. Partnership: Creation of an online clearinghouse of resources related to secondary transition for youth with disabilities in the District of Columbia metropolitan area.
    • Website: schooltalkdc.org
    • Address: 1875 Connecticut Ave NW #660, Washington, DC 20009
    • Phone: (202) 907-6887

Transportation

  • Transport DC Program
    • Description: The DC Taxicab Commission’s “Transport DC Program” enables MetroAccess users who are District residents to get a taxi (a wheelchair accessible one if needed) within the District of Columbia for $5 one-way (payable with cash, credit or debit), plus free fare for up to two companion riders. The program also offers flexibility for ride reservations to be made one hour before the ride is needed.
    • Website: https://dfhv.dc.gov/
    • Contact: (844)-322-7732
  • Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
    • Description: WMATA is the public transit system in the DMV area (mostly DC). Metro provides several services for people with disabilities:
      • Free orientation and training in how to use public transportation. For more information or to schedule a session, please call 202-962-1100 or TTY 202-962-2033.
      • Free transportation to the Metro ID Card Office to obtain a Metro Disability ID card and Free SmarTrip card for first-time eligible applicants
      • Free resources (“Metro Is Accessible” videotape or DVD, Metro system wall map, tactile and Braille Metro system maps, large-print Metro pocket guides, tips for riding the Metro for people with disabilities, etc.)
    • Website: https://www.wmata.com/service/accessibility/
    • Address: Headquarters-Transit Accessibility Center @ 600 5th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (Between Judiciary Square and Gallery Place Metrorail stations)
    • Phone:
      • ID Cards for Riders with Disabilities-(202) 962-2700
      • MetroAccess-(301)-562-5360

Additional Supports

  • Autism Society
    • Description: They provide advocacy, education, information and referral, support, and community at national, state and local levels through our strong nationwide network of Affiliates. See DC Affiliate-ASDC provides monthly support meetings for parents, siblings, and other caregivers to freely discuss their unique needs and interests. Summer Camp Program for Children and Adults with Autism – one-week residential summer camp for children and adults with autism through the District of Columbia Autistic Educational Program. They also host sensory friendly film viewings.
    • Website:autism-society.org
    • Address: 4340 East West Highway #350, Bethesda, MD 20814
    • Phone: (800) 328-8476
  • Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
    • Description: The mission of the Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is to protect and advance the rights of adults and children who have mental disabilities. The Center envisions an America where people who have mental illnesses or developmental disabilities exercise their own life choices and have access to the resources that enable them to participate fully in their communities.
    • Website: http://www.bazelon.org/
    • Address: 1101 15th Street, NW Suite 1212, Washington, DC 20005
    • Phone: (202) 467-5730
  • DC Developmental Disabilities Council or National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
    • Description: The Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) helps to empower individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities by: educating them about local disability rights laws, creating and supporting inclusive health, education, employment, housing, recreation, childcare, and quality assurance programs, connecting them with other community and governmental organizations that provide disability support services. Also has a book club for individuals with disabilities. (DC Developmental Disabilities Council Next Chapter Book Club-https://www.nextchapterbookclub.org/)
    • Website: https://ddc.dc.gov/ or nacdd.org
    • Address: 1825 K St NW #600, Washington, DC 20006
    • Phone: (202)-506-5813
  • Kids Included Together
    • Description: Kids Included Together specializes in providing best practices training for community-based organizations committed to including children with and without disabilities into their recreational, child development and youth development programs.
    • Website: kit.org
    • Address: 80 M St SE #03-160, Washington, DC 20003
    • Phone: (202) 803-6771
  • Medicaid-Home and Community Based Waivers (Financial Support)
    • Description: Looking for help in your home and with community events or outings for a loved one with mental illnesses, intellectual disabilities, and/or physical disabilities? A Home and Community-based Services (HCBS) Waiver is a Medicaid program that, in general, aids with skill development, respite, transportation, and other services to help support the individual and their caregiver.
    • Website: https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/index.html#waivers
    • Address: 200 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20201
    • Phone: (410) 786-3000
  • Mind Expansion Community Services, Inc. (MCES)
    • Description: MCES informs the community about hidden disabilities, including autism, epilepsy and sensory integration disorders, and brings together children with and without disabilities together in an educational, fun and safe environment.
    • Website: http://www.mind-expansion.org/
    • Address: Mail only P.O. Box 801 Brandywine MD 20613
    • Phone: (202) 327-0972
  • Washington Parent Online Magazine
    • Description: For parents and guardians to use to find and read about recreational activities and events in Maryland and surrounding areas. You can also find resources related to adaptive equipment, education, family support, fitness, health, private schools, and therapy on this website.
    • Website: https://www.washingtonparent.com/
    • Address: 7307 Macarthur Blvd #210, Bethesda, MD 20816
    • Phone: (301) 320-2321