NCRD is committed to serving all members of our community, and we take special pride in our long history of welcoming persons with a great diversity of backgrounds; people with disabilities or special needs; adults; children; and seniors.

Although our main building was constructed almost 100 years ago, we have invested in a wheelchair ramp to our main entrance; constructed an ADA accessible restroom on the main floor; converted a freight elevator so that it can assist people in accessing our 90 year old pool; built ADA accessible pickleball courts; added smoke/fire alarm systems which include strobe lights for the hearing impaired; invested in adding ADA restrooms to our Performing Arts Center (now in progress) ; and are now beginning the transition to a new 100% accessible swimming pool.

We also have a scholarship program that can help families with limited financial resources to access our programs. Our staff in Aquatics, Youth Center, Fitness Center, and Administration have all participated in a variety of specialized trainings over the years which include serving people with a very broad array of special needs. More recent training has included the specific subjects of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Most importantly, our staff genuinely value their unique contributions to the quality of life for everyone in our community.

If there are questions regarding accessibility, accommodations, or with any of the subjects discussed above, please call the Welcome Center at 971-308-0300. Following are some samples of related program services and trainings.

Aquatics

NCRD Aquatics Service, Training and Experience with Special Populations
Submitted by Aquatics Director - Barbara McCann
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NCRD Aquatics has had a long history of serving people with disabilities and special needs since its inception in 1997. We welcome all persons without exception regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, physical limitations, economic hardship or disabilities of any kind. Our trained staff is professional and compassionate in their treatment of everyone.
 
We are currently serving many adults and children with a wide range of disabilities, including blindness, amputees, MS, Parkinson’s, rheumatoid arthritis, post operatives recovering from knee and hip replacements, and back, neck and heart surgeries. We have numerous students on the Spectrum and many others on IEPs. Over 25% of our patrons have some type of disability or mobility issue. They all receive individual attention. Our staff personally escorts patrons through the building in our wheelchair to access the elevator on a daily basis. They ride with them down to the pool deck. After the patron is finished with their swim they are escorted back up to the main floor and in many cases our staff assists them out to their vehicle in the parking lot. We have recently purchased a new wheelchair in order to serve a wider range of people. The new one has a greater weight capacity which enables us to be more inclusive of those patrons who are obese and in dire need of exercise.
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I have been leading aquatic fitness classes at NCRD since 1997. When I began I had a YMCA Fitness Leader Certification and ARC Lifeguard Certification. Both of these included instruction in serving special populations. I began attending specialty courses from the AEA (Aquatic Exercise Association) on an annual basis with my staff. Most of that training was for older adults and people with mobility issues and other disabilities. As a result of that training, I started the Water Therapy Program at NCRD. I became a certified Arthritis Foundation Instructor in 2005 for both water and land based applications. This training is specific to serving people with a wide range of mobility issues and disabilities. It has afforded me the opportunity to work one on one with hundreds of individuals with some type of disability. Everyone is welcomed and given individual attention in accordance with their specific needs and goals. I have spent time literally holding the hands of insecure patrons while water walking in the Pool and assisting with showering and dressing when people need help. I also recognize the need for people to be independent and so I am careful to only offer appropriate assistance when needed.
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In 2012 I became an AEA certified Aquatics Fitness Professional (AFP). This is an international certification recognized worldwide.  It is the gold standard in the aquatics field. It includes extensive training in dealing with persons with all kinds of disabilities as well as in depth DEI training. I am required to do annual training to keep my certification current and a major portion of that training has also included special populations. I am currently certified with the Arthritis Foundation for both water and land programs which also requires annual continuing education credits to maintain. In addition to all my aquatics related training I have taken many SDAO and ORPA seminars both in person and on-line covering HR and leadership topics. I have attended USA Swimming, National Swimming Pool Association, World Aquatics Health Organization, ORPA and SDAO annual conferences. All have had components that address and stress inclusion and working with people with special needs.
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The Adaptive Swim Program was established at NCRD over 20 years ago in partnership with the NKN School District and the existing School Swim Program. Since that time Sue Dindia-Gray, has directed the program as well as being the head teacher on deck, hands on with all the students for their weekly lessons. I had the honor of working in the water alongside Sue with the Adaptive Swim Program when it began. In those early years NKN faculty joined our swim instructors in the water every week for the classes. The director of the NKN special education program as well as the teachers and teacher’s aids involved in the program all got in the pool with us and the students each week. These classes included students with all kinds of physical and developmental disabilities including many on the Spectrum. There were nonverbal students as well as screamers and those who wore protective gear so they could not inflict harm on themselves. The students relaxed in the water and really enjoyed the experience. We were made aware of each student’s specific situation and we met everyone’s needs. We received this incredible comprehensive and unique training working as a team with the special education professionals each week for the first 5 years of the program. During that time we had the opportunity to obtain practical experience alongside and learn firsthand from the experts.
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Over the years Sue has continued to build on that foundation. Under her direction the Adaptive Swim Program as well as the entire School Swim Program has grown in scope and inclusiveness to enhance the lives of every student in Nehalem. Several years ago, in response to a growing Latino population locally she began putting Spanish phrases on the white board in the natatorium to be more inclusive of those students. Sue is a certified ARC Water Safety Instructor (WSI) and Lifeguard with extensive training including Adaptive Aquatic Programming for professionals, Total Immersion Program, Aqua Tots Inc., Preschool Aquatics, YMCA Learn to Swim Program and Trauma Informed Training. She is a member of ASCA (American Swim Coaches Assn.). Sue has also taken AEA and Arthritis Foundation aquatic fitness trainings with our staff over many years.
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The members of the aquatics team are all trained professionals. They are all certified ARC Lifeguards. They have all had extensive training and years of experience working with special populations. We have an RN, an EMT, and several others who have previously been employed as caregivers for individuals with special needs and worked in the mental health field. We also have a couple of staff members with several of their own special needs children. They have spent most of their adult life caring and advocating for the rights and welfare of their family members. They have personal insight and empathy for all people who face challenges. We are all honored to be able to offer our services and to welcome everyone in our community.