Sports, Habilitation, Art & Recreation Program (S.H.A.R.P.)
SHARP is a multi-faceted program designed for visually-impaired, school-age children! This program is filled with a variety of activities to help develop hobbies, talents, friends and promote independence. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:
What Does SHARP Stand For?
Sports, Habilitation, Arts and Recreation Program.
What is SHARP?
SHARP is an open-entry, open-exit adaptive recreation program. That means participants can come to the activities that they sign up for. Participants are not required to come every week, but are welcome if they want to. SHARP offers lots of activities to join in, so participants are always learning new things. We have been rock climbing, gone ice skating, and developed better fitness. Cooking is always fun and a great way to try new foods. We enter our creative projects in the State Fair and art competitions throughout the United States. The recreational activities help develop hobbies and interests that carry over into daily life and possible career choices.
SHARP is a physically active program that promotes independence. Participants are expected to follow group directions and treat everyone with respect. When participants learn a new skill they are encouraged to share it with the group and help someone else learn.
SHARP is a learning opportunity. If participants come to the program, they will be expected to try everything we do. We don’t really know what we like and don’t like until we give it a try.
How do I know if this program is right for my child?
We’ve established the following criteria for program participants:
- Your child has a documented visual impairment
- They are attending grades kindergarten through middle school
- Your child is independent (must be able to eat, toilet and dress themselves)
- Your child must be able to communicate independently via verbal, sign and or with a communication device
- Able to actively participate in a group setting without negatively impacting other group participants. In appropriate behaviors include:
• Elopement (running away)
• Physical aggression
• Displays of consistent defiant behavior
(This includes but is not limited to the following: constant refusal to stand in line, constant refusal to participate in a variety of activities, constant refusal to abide by program rules.) - Your child does not require constant supervision by a qualified health aide or nurse
- Art
- Cooking
- iPads
- Games
- Ice Skating
- Rock Climbing
- Camping
- Beep baseball
- Bowling
- Goalball
- and more!
