Our city offers a rainbow of wonderful programs and classes for children with special needs and their families. These include annual festivals, arts and cultural activities, equestrian camps, sailing classes and accessibility tips for local beaches, swimming pools and parks.

This section provides information about some of the special programs available throughout Miami-Dade County for exceptional children and their families.

Annual Family Festival of Arts and Games
Kendall Indian Hammocks Park (near Shelter #5)
11395 SW 79th St .,
Miami , FL 33173
305/755-7848 (V/TDD)
www.miamidade.gov/parks/access.asp

This free, one-day festival takes place in March and provides children with disabilities and their siblings and families an opportunity to interact, have some fun and play together. Children of all abilities can participate in wheelchair races, a petting zoo, theater, sports, music, arts and crafts and much more. Participants must call and pre-register.

Beaches and Swimming
Various locations throughout
Miami-Dade County
305/755-7848 (V/TDD)
www.miamidade.gov/parks

For information on ADA accessible swimming pools, beach wheelchairs and surf chairs, and parks with accessible nature trails and boardwalks, please refer to the Parks, Beaches and Water Play section on page 69.

Everglades National Park
40001 State Rd. 9336
305/242-7700
Homestead , FL 33034 305/242-7740 (TDD)
www.nps.gov/ever/visit/access.htm

For complete information on accessible camping, lodging, boat and tram tours, trails, ranger-led activities and visitor centers, call or visit the web site.

Good Hope Equestrian Training Center
22155 SW 147th Ave. ,
Miami , FL 33170
305/258-2838
www.goodhopeequestriancenter.com

Program: Equestrian Training Center and Children's Oncology Camp

The Training Center is a certified provider of Medicaid Waiver and nationally accredited through the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association. Creative programs provide participants with specialized training, including Stable Management, Horsemanship, Functional Academics, Independent Living Skills, Technology, Horticulture and Therapeutic/Recreational Horseback Riding. A special Oncology Camp is also offered.

Karen Peterson and Dancers
Excello Dance Space
8702 SW 129th Terr.,
Miami , FL 33176
305/298-5879
www.karenpetersondancers.org

Program: "Mixed-Ability" Dance Workshops

These movement classes give children, teens and adults with disabilities the opportunity to move and express themselves through creative improvisational exercises under the direction of Karen Peterson. Also presents "danceAble," an annual dance festival each June which focuses on dance as a vital art form and a fundamental means of physical expression for people with and without disabilities.

Kiwanis Horses & Handicapped Inc.
Sojourn Farm
6305 SW 120th Ave. ,
Miami , FL 33183
305/271-2210
www.ege.com/kiwanis

Program: Therapeutic Riding

A member of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, providing therapeutic horseback riding to disabled individuals, primarily children. The program is free to all participants and their families. For a child to participate they must receive permission from their attending physician. A registered physical therapist works with the riding instructor to set up achievable goals for each rider.

Miami-Dade County Parks Leisure Access Services
Various locations throughout Miami-Dade County
305/755-7848 (V/TDD)
www.miamidade.gov/parks/access.asp

To learn about park programs and facilities - including beach wheelchairs and ADA accessible swimming pools - and for information about the Leisure Access Program, please call or visit the web site.

National Park Service: Golden Access Passport
Various locations throughout Miami-Dade County
305/242-7700
305/242-7740 (TDD)
www.buy.nationalparks.org/golden.asp

This special pass is for citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are blind or permanently disabled. The Golden Access Passport is a lifetime entrance pass to national parks as well as discounts on park facilities and services. For complete information, call or visit the web site.

Shake-A-Leg Miami
2620 S. Bayshore Dr .,
Coconut Grove , FL 33133
305/858-5550
www.shakealegmiami.org

Program: Sailing and Kayaking

This non-profit water sports center offers sailing lessons for children, youths and adults of all abilities.

Camps and classes
ARC
Florida City : 305/246-4585
Goulds: 305/232-2672
Kendall : 305/279-3723

Atlantis Academy
(LD Camp and School)
305/271-9771
www.atlantisacademy.com

CAMP KIDZ-Kidz Connection, Therapy for Children
305/949-4191

Carrie Brazer Center for Autism & Alternative Approaches
05/262-5999

Children's Center for Therapy and Learning
305/895-0444

The Children's Experience
305/270-8588

Children's Resources
305/596-6966

Concordia Lutheran Church and School
305/235-0160

Creative Children Therapy
305/412-4177

Dave and Mary Alper JCC
305/271-9000, ext. 271
www.alperjcc.org

The Debbie School
305/243-6961

Easter Seals
305/325-0470

Educational Alternatives
305/595-9558
www.educationalalternatives.net

Fit for Kids Functional Integrative Therapy Clinic
305/949-7665

Heroes Unite
305/895-8326
www.heroesunite.org

The Laura Cushman Academy
305/756-8189

Learning Through Movement
305/595-1204

Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center
305/932-4200, ext. 140
www.marjcc.org

Paladin Academy
305/598-3882
www.nobellearning.com/nobel/flash/index.cfm

Peer Link
305/448-1288

Play and Say! South Miami Hospital
786/662-5080

Red Berry 's Baseball Camp
305/279-2668

Shake-A-Leg Miami Inc.
305/858-5550
www.shakealegmiami.org

SMART Educational Services Inc.
786/263-0421

United Cerebral Palsy
305/325-1080

Additional Resources:

Association for Retarded Citizens of South Florida
305/759-8500
www.arcsofla.org

Early Steps Program
North: 305/243-5600
South: 786/268-2611

Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System
305/274-3501

Florida Relay Service: 800/995-8771 (TTY/VCO)
http://www.ftri.org/floridarelay/index.cfm

Mailman Center for Child Development
Developmental Disabilities On-line
Database for Parents, Families & Consumers
http://pediatrics.med.miami.edu/mailman/consumer.htm

Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Division of Life Skills and Special Projects / Adaptive Physical Education
305/995-1912
http://divisionoflifeskills.dadeschools.net/

Pre-Kindergarten Exceptional Student Education Program
305/271-5701
http://prekese.dadeschools.net

Office of Exceptional Student Education and Student Career Services
305/995-1721
305/755-9605 (TTY)
http://ese.dadeschools.net

Parent to Parent of Miami
305/271-9797
www.ptopmiami.org

University of Miami Center for Autism & Related Disabilities
305/284-3722
www.umcard.org

VSA Arts of Florida
813/975-6962 (V/TTY)
888/844-ARTS (V/TTY)
www.vsafl.org