RADD program is popular in Pleasanton RADD program is popular in Pleasanton (November 04, 2005)

City sponsors activities for mentally disabled adults

Adults with mental disabilities often find it difficult to take part in social activities that everyone else takes for granted, things like eating out at a restaurant or going out to a play. That's why the Department of Parks and Community Services started the Recreational Activities for the Developmentally Disabled, RADD for short, nearly 20 years ago. RADD offers at least 52 activities and field trips a year for clients 15 years or older who have mental disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome and mental retardation. The youngest participant is 15 and the oldest is 60, although the participants mentally are in an age range of 3-12, said Becky Hopkins, recreation supervisor for the city who oversees RADD. Activities can be anything from going out for bowling and pizza to traveling to San Francisco for the ballet to an all-day field trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

"We have a template of activities that we always do, but we also try to come up with some new things every year," Hopkins said. The most popular activity is the dances, she said, which are held five times a year and generally bring out about 75 people. Activities like going out to dinner usually have about 24 participants, but field trips are capped at anywhere from 10-16 participants since they keep a 6-1 staff-participant ratio.

"Our department provides services for special needs participants if they want to be mainstreamed, but we felt they should also have the opportunity to go to a program designed just for them," Hopkins said.

Many times people with special needs, especially teens, have to deal with being teased or having others focus on their appearance and behavior when they are out in public, but with RADD they can just relax and have fun, Hopkins said.

This is not to say RADD does not encourage participants to take part in activities with mainstream society. The hope is that by going to places in the community with a group, it will take away the participants' apprehension and they will later go back on their own and feel comfortable.

While the program has gone through highs and lows, currently it is very popular, with 300 people on the mailing list and about 80 people who come to 10 or more events a year, Hopkins said.

"One of the goals in the Parks and Recreation Department is to provide recreational opportunity for all the people in the community regardless of what their needs are," Hopkins said. -Rebecca Guyon

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