Copperview Recreation Center offers rec program for people with disabilities

Most things are a little more challenging for people with intellectual and physical disabilities. Salt Lake County’s adaptive recreation program helps disabled people participate in activities such as competitive sports and dances. Jeff Burley is the Adaptive Recreation Manager for Salt Lake County and runs the program through the Copperview Recreation Center.

“It is essential to get people active,” he said. “Disabled people are more likely to be obese than able-bodied people. This program is the only program in the state with consistent funding. Although we can’t do all we would like to, we are trying to help out as much as we can.”

This program serves about 1,000 individuals across the county. It enables disabled people to purchase recreation passes at senior rates that gives them access to all 18 Salt Lake County facilities, including Copperview. It also allows them to bring an assistant to the facility to help them participate. Burley said the average cost of living for disabled people is about $8,000 to $16,000 less than the average income, which makes the passes an affordable option to participate and get healthy.

“We are trying to break down the barriers that stop disabled people from participating in recreation activities, this is one way we can do that,” he said.

Sports programs like wheelchair basketball, soccer and rugby, along with other programs like adaptive theater and bi-monthly social dances give disabled people the chance to participate in sports, socialize and improve their health.

The program started in 1989 and grew steadily until 2000, when there was a decline in staffing. Burley said the program has started to grow again and they are adding new programs every year. There is a desire to do more programs statewide, but most don’t know what it takes to start one.

Although not every program is offered at each recreation center, Burley said because the cities are willing to work together, disabled people who take advantage of the pass can get the health benefits of adaptive recreation, even if their local recreation center doesn’t offer the program they want. West Jordan has the only rubber baseball field in Utah and allows disabled people from all over the state to take advantage of it. Burley said this is one example of how the adaptive recreation system works to help everyone.

“There is not a lot of education out there about how much work it takes to start an adaptive recreation program in other cities,” he said. “It works best when several cities can pool resources and construct a program similar to what Salt Lake County already does.”

Copperview is home to many adaptive recreation programs. Burley said it gives disabled Midvale residents the chance to participate close to home.

“We are here as a resource to this community and to disabled people across the valley,” he said. “Copperview has something for everyone, serving both disabled residents and those without a disability. It’s a huge asset to have it this close.”