Exploring the Lifelong Benefits of Inclusive Play
Play brings families, friends and communities together; it keep us fit and makes us smile. Research shows that play is a key element of development and health for individuals of all ages and abilities. Unfortunately, play is being threatened on every front in the U.S. It's seen as a "children-only" activity, if it's thought about at all. Furthermore, concerns around inclusive play are primarily discussed among disability experts and are not part of most community agendas.
Please join our nation's leading inclusive play experts for a thought-provoking, two-day symposium that examines the importance of play for all ages and abilities. Play for Life: Exploring the Lifelong Benefits of Inclusive Play will reignite your passion for play and inspire new ways to bring that passion to everyone in the community.
1. October 23–24, 2010 * Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis
play
for
life
Exploring the
Lifelong Benefits
of Inclusive Play
Brought to you by
Kanics Inclusive Design Services, LLC. Sponsored by
2. October 23–24, 2010 * Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis
play for life
Exploring the Lifelong Benefits of Inclusive Play
Play brings families, friends and
communities together; it keeps us fit
and makes us smile. Research shows that
play is a key element of development
and health for individuals of all ages
and abilities. Unfortunately, play is being
threatened on every front in the U.S.
It’s seen as a “children-only” activity,
if it’s thought about at all. Furthermore,
concerns around inclusive play are
primarily discussed among disability
experts and are not part of most
community agendas.
Please join a group of our nation’s
leading experts for a thought-provoking,
two-day symposium that examines the
importance of play for all ages and
abilities. Play for Life: Exploring the
Lifelong Benefits of Inclusive Play will
reignite your passion for play and
inspire new ways to bring that passion
to everyone in your community.
3. Questions?
Who should attend?
• Educators, preschool and daycare directors
• Therapists (occupational, physical
and recreational)
• Recreation directors, managers and staff
• Adaptive recreation and inclusion
coordinators
• Landscape architects, architects/designers
• Parks and recreation department
professionals
• Advocates, students and parents
• People with disabilities
• And anyone who is passionate about
play for all individuals!
Can I get credit?
CEUs have been applied for in several
different disciplines. Please check
playlsi.com/2010-symposium for
those that have been accepted, or
contact inclusiveplay@mindspring.com
for CEU inquiries.
What if I need to cancel?
A $25 administrative fee will be deducted
for registration refunds. Notice of cancellation
must be received in writing by Oct. 15, 2010.
No refunds will be available after Oct. 16, 2010.
More questions?
For questions about the Play for Life
Symposium, registration or accommodations,
please e-mail inclusiveplay@mindspring.com
or call 412-563-6475.
This symposium is subject to change or
cancellation. Liability is limited to funds remitted
for symposium registration. Speakers are subject
to change without prior notice.
4. Registration
How did you hear about our event?
Mail
E-mail
Social Media
Facebook
LinkedIn
Other
Friend/Colleague
Other
What is your area of practice?
Parks and Rec personnel
Architect/designer
Education
Early Childhood
Elementary
Other
Therapist
Occupational
Physical
Recreational
Other
Community Agency/
Social Work
Other
What knowledge are you hoping to gain
by attending this symposium?
5. Registration
Register for Play for Life before Sept. 20, 2010
to receive the early-registration rate of $140 for
one day or $210 for both days.
After Sept. 20, symposium rates are $160 for
a single day and $240 for both days.
Registration deadline is Oct. 18, 2010.
If paying by check or money order,
return this form to:
Play for Life Symposium
Attn: H. Moseley
Landscape Structures Inc.
601 7th Street South
Delano, MN 55328-8605
Please make checks payable to Play for Life
Symposium/LSI. Full payment must accompany
this form in order to be processed. A $35
handling fee will be charged for returned checks.
For secure credit card payments, please register
online at playlsi.com/2010-symposium.
I would like to register for (check one or both):
Saturday, Oct. 23
Sunday, Oct. 24
Name
Title
Company
Address
City State Zip
Country
Daytime phone
Fax
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Website
6. Brought to you by
Kanics Inclusive Design Services, LLC.
For more information, please go to
www.playlsi.com/2010-symposium. Sponsored by
7. Session Schedule 2
Speaker Bios 4
Registration and
Photo courtesy of Karen Marsh
Accommodations 8
8. Sessions
Day One: Inclusive Play for Children
8:30 Registration/Continental Breakfast
9:00 Welcome
The Importance of Play to All Children
Ernie Dettore, Ed.D., Keystone STARS TA Consultant,
University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development
Play is essential to children’s healthy development. It is equally critical
in the formation of adult-child relationships. In this session, Dr. Dettore
will discuss the benefits of unstructured playtime and the role of the
adult in supporting children’s learning and development through play.
Brain Break and Networking Time
Designing Great Places for All Children to Play
Ingrid M. Kanics, OTR/L, President, Kanics Inclusive Design Services, LLC and
John McConkey, Marketing Insights Manager, Landscape Structures
Learn about the importance of barrier-free design in creating inclusive
play environments. This presentation will highlight the use of Universal
Design Principles and sensory rich elements in your design to create
play environments that support all children. Examples of these practices
from indoor and outdoor play settings will be provided throughout
the presentation.
Networking Lunch
Creating Inclusion via Playground Programming
Marnie Norris-Fisher, Director of Programs, Shane’s Inspiration
How are successful inclusive play programs developed and operated?
Learn how one organization created inspiring, successful programs
in its community and hear from a variety of its program participants.
Brain Break and Networking Time
The Importance of Play to Children with Autism
Pamela Wolfberg, Ph.D., Associate Professor, San Francisco State University
and Autism Institute on Peer Socialization and Play
Gain valuable information about how play helps children on the autism
spectrum develop valuable social skills and so much more.
4:30 Wrap Up
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9. Day Two: The Importance of Play
Across Our Lives
8:30 Registration/Continental Breakfast
9:00 Welcome
Play as a Lifelong Journey: An Approach for All of Us, Young
and Old Alike, Based on Fred Rogers’ Timeless Wisdom
Hedda Sharapan, M.S. Child Development,
Director of Early Childhood Initiatives, The Fred Rogers Company
There was a playfulness about Fred Rogers that we can all learn from —
and it wasn’t just about or for children. Through fun and treasured video
segments, we’ll explore what play means in our lives as adults … and as
adults who care about children of all abilities.
Brain Break and Networking Time
The Importance of Recreation in Building Social Capital
Al Condeluci, Ph.D., CEO, UCP/CLASS
What exactly is social capital? Find out in this insightful presentation,
and see why recreation is a perfect way for adults of all abilities to
build more of it.
Networking Lunch
The Importance of Play for a Community
Cynthia Gentry, Founding Director, Atlanta Taskforce on Play
See how one city has embraced play through the KaBOOM! project
“Playful Cities USA” as well as best practices from other cities.
Learn about the Atlanta Taskforce on Play, how it was created, and
what it’s planning next. Also, get a sneak peak at the semi-finalists
in Playable10 International Design Competition.
Brain Break and Networking Time
Playing Around the World: Inclusive Tourism
Scott Rains, D.Min., New Mobility Person of the Year
In this closing presentation you will be encouraged to embrace your
inner explorer and get out and play with our world. Through stories and
photos, you’ll have the chance to see how individuals of all abilities are
traveling to the ends of the earth, having fun meeting new people and
exploring the kingdoms of our childhood dreams.
4:00 Wrap Up
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10. Speaker Bios
At Play for Life, you’ll learn from, and have
the opportunity to meet and network with
the foremost authorities on inclusive play and
play across the lifespan. The symposium is
designed for anyone who wants to rejuvenate
the spirit of play in his or her community or
work setting, and provide more opportunities
for playful inclusion. So, whether you work
in early-childhood education or a community
park and recreation department, write
curriculum for children or plan travel events
for seniors, you’ll discover new ideas and
make the contacts you need to help integrate
more play into all you do.
Play for Life Symposium founder and host:
Ingrid M. Kanics, OTR/L
Ingrid is president of Kanics Inclusive Design Services, LLC,
an organization that works with communities to create
and operate amazing places where all children can play
together. Her work in inclusive play environments
began over 10 years ago at Center for Creative Play in
Pittsburgh, PA. During that time, she worked with numerous communities,
including more than 35 children’s museums, helping them expand their
understanding of Universal Design and the importance of Sensory Play
in every child’s development. She has been a member of the
Landscape Structures Inclusive Advisory Board since July 2009.
kidssplay.com
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11. Al Condeluci, Ph.D.
Al is CEO of UCP/CLASS, a community-based support
system for people with all types of disabilities in
Pittsburgh, PA. He holds an M.S.W. and Ph.D. from the
University of Pittsburgh, where he is on faculty in
the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and
the School of Social Work. He has authored six books, including the
acclaimed, Interdependence: The Route to Community (1991) and the
newly released, Together is Better (2009). He lives in McKees Rocks
on the family hill with his wife and three children and some 30 other
members of the extended Condeluci family. alcondeluci.com
Ernie Dettore, Ed.D.
Ernie is a Keystone STARS technical assistant consultant
and a PQAS-certified instructor from The University of
Pittsburgh Office of Child Development. He is the co-editor
of the book To Play or Not to Play: Is It Really a Question
published by ACEI in 2007, and has recently received a
planning grant from the Caplan Foundation to start The Institute on Play.
In 2010, Dr. Dettore received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in
Community Service from the University of Pittsburgh.
Cynthia Gentry
Cynthia is the founding director of the Atlanta
Taskforce on Play (ATOP) and co-director of Playable10
International Design Competition. She is on the Board of
the International Play Association/USA. A writer, activist,
filmmaker and artist, Cynthia lives in Atlanta, GA, with her
husband, Al, and his 14-year-old twins. Her grown son and his wife live
just outside Atlanta. PlayAtlanta.org, PlayableDesign.org
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12. Speaker Bios
John McConkey
John serves as market insights manager at Landscape
Structures. He provides more than 15 years of experience
in the healthcare field, and offers a unique perspective
on health, fitness and children’s play on the playground.
Since 2002, John has researched and tracked societal
and industry trends to help create solutions that address evolving
customer needs. The main focus of his recent efforts is on playground
accessibility and inclusiveness as well as sustainability. playlsi.com
Marnie Norris-Fisher
Marnie has 15 years of experience in nonprofit program
design and delivery, and fundraising. Since 2005, she’s
been the director of programs at Shane’s Inspiration
where she spearheaded the creation of a powerful
education program that facilitates inclusion on the
playground and in the classroom. To date, this program has reached
nearly 10,000 school children. shanesinspiration.org
Scott Rains, D.Min.
Scott writes daily on travel and issues in the tourism
industry of interest to people with disabilities. His work
appears in numerous publications and online at
RollingRains.com. He is the founder of the global
forum on Inclusive Tourism, Tour Watch, and has
worked worldwide as an advocate for inclusive tourism. This past year,
New Mobility awarded him with the Person of the Year award for his
amazing work in creating networks that support travel for all.
RollingRains.com
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13. Hedda Sharapan, M.S. Child Development
Hedda is nationally recognized as an outstanding
speaker. Using her warmth, humor and humanness, she
helps professionals and parents continue to learn from
Fred Rogers’ timeless wisdom through treasured videos
and stories. Hedda holds an M.S. in child development
from the University of Pittsburgh, and since 1966 has worked closely with
Fred Rogers on his books for children and parents, and on professional
development materials for early childhood educators. As director of
early childhood initiatives for the nonprofit company he founded, she is
responsible for communicating about Fred Rogers’ approach to children
and families in multiple ways: she writes a monthly e-newsletter; works
on web materials, articles and brochures for parents, families, and
professionals; and is in demand around the country as a keynoter and
workshop leader at conferences for educators, parents, and religious,
business and community groups. fci.org
Pamela Wolfberg, Ph.D.
Pamela is associate professor at San Francisco State
University and founding director of the Autism Institute on
Peer Socialization and Play. As originator of the Integrated
Play Groups™ model, she leads efforts to develop inclusive
peer play programs worldwide. She is widely published
and the author of Play and Imagination in Children with Autism and Peer
Play and the Autism Spectrum: The Art of Guiding Children’s Socialization
and Imagination. She currently oversees national and international
research and training projects with grants from the U.S. Department of
Education, Autism Speaks Foundation and Alexander von Humboldt
Foundation. Among her editorial positions on major journals, she served
as a guest reviewer for the American Journal of Play. She is the recipient
of several distinguished awards for her scholarship, research and
contributions to the community. AutismInstitute.com
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14. Accommodations
Hotel
Lodging for Play for Life participants is available at:
Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis
35 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Guest Room Reservations: Book reservations online at radisson.com/
minneapolismn_plaza. Click MORE search options under the “Check
Rates and Availability” box, then insert Promo Code “LANDSC” to
continue online booking. Or call 612‑339‑4900, or toll‑free 800‑333‑3333,
and use Promo Code “LANDSC” to continue your reservation.
Guest Room Rate: $139 single or double occupancy, plus applicable
city/state taxes. All reservations must be guaranteed by one night’s
deposit on a major credit card.
Guest Room Block Cutoff Date: To receive our block rate, please make
your reservation by Friday, Sept. 10, 2010.
Guest Room Cancellation Policy: Room cancellations received within
48 hours of arrival date will result in a charge of one night’s room and
tax applied to the method of guarantee.
Ground Transportation
Ground Transportation is available from the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport
to the hotel. Upon flight arrival, follow the signs to Baggage Claim and
then follow signs to Ground Transportation where taxis, multi‑passenger
shuttles and light rail into Minneapolis are available. One‑way taxi fare is
about $50. One‑way multi‑passenger shuttle fare is approximately $25.
One‑way light rail fare is about $3. The light rail drop‑off location is a
five‑minute walk to the Radisson Plaza Hotel.
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