Join us on Tuesday, August 20th from 11:30-3:00 PM for “Inclusive”, a jam-packed workshop and EXPO with 3 HSW’s & speakers from PlayCore, the City of Hoover, and Goodwyn Mills Cawood.

Keynote Speaker provided by J.A. Dawson.

Registration  – $40.00 Advance Tickets // $60.00 Late Registration

RSVP to katie@karmamanagementinc.com before August 16th to ensure a spot!

Cancellation policy: Must give 24 hours’ notice of cancellation. If you cancel less than 24 hours before or do not show up to the meeting without notice, you will be billed the cost of the meeting.

Click here to purchase tickets! 
Click here to become an exhibitor or sponsor for this event!

Schedule of Events:

11:00: Registration & Expo

11:30-12:30: “Inclusion Matters: Making Play a Priority for Everybody!” [1 HSW]
Jennie Sumrell, PlayCore // Sponsored by J.A. Dawson
Be inspired to innovate high quality outdoor play experiences for people of all ages and abilities by aligning evidence-based design best practices to inclusive play destinations to encourage active, independent, and meaningful play for all. Both a physical and social event, inclusive play is not solely about physically accessing an environment, but what experiences happen once an individual gets there. Learn inclusive design principles that go beyond minimum accessibility and intentionally address the needs of the whole child.

12:45-1:45: “Therapeutic Recreation” [1 HSW]
Dee Nance, CTRS, CEDAP, City of Hoover
Attendees will learn about Therapeutic Recreation and the role that it plays in an inclusive environment. Then they will be introduced to the concept of “people first” language and will learn about its importance. Participants will also learn the value of including a CTRS/ADA specialist, or a person with a disability, on their design team. Learn challenges and solutions to local project case studies. Dee thinks of everyone who wants to experience parks and playgrounds – all ages and all disabilities. Let’s all learn to think like Dee.

2:00-3:00: “Accessible Site Design: Point A to B” [1 HSW]
Dale Brasher, Goodwyn Mills Cawood
Dale will discuss accessible site design and the challenges site accessibility requirements can present. Though your design does have to meet ADA requirements, there are ways to be creative and inclusive, while not sacrificing the quality of your design. Dale will share case studies and project applications for inclusive site design.

Speakers & Topics:

Jennie Sumrell, PlayCore
Director of Education: Programs, Partnerships & Professional Development
Jennie Sumrell has worked with children and families of all abilities for nearly ten years. Her formal training and experience in early childhood education, exceptional learning, special education, and assistive technology allows her to have meaningful influence on program and product development. Jennie is responsible for programs and partnerships that help build communities through play and she leads PlayCore’s community outreach providing continuing education to professionals across the country.

Dee Nance CTRS, CADAP, City of Hoover
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist & Certified Americans with Disabilities Professional
Dee Nance graduated from East Carolina University with a BS in Leisure Systems Services with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation. She completed her internship at Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital (now HealthSouth) in Birmingham. Her first job was developing a Therapeutic Recreation program for a Psychiatric Unit at BMC Montclair (now Trinity). In 1992, Dee started with the senior adult population in Hoover and then implemented the EXPLORE program in 1995. Dee’s current responsibilities include grant writing, assisting in Economic Development and reviewing ADA compliance concerns. Her most recent accomplishment was researching, developing and opening the $2 million universally designed inclusive EXPLORE playground and splash pad at the Hoover Met Complex.

Dale Brasher PLA, Goodwyn Mills Cawood
Landscape Architect
Dale Brasher is a landscape architect at Goodwyn Mills Cawood in Birmingham, AL. He has eight years of experience in a wide range of projects across the Southeast in land planning, sports field design, stream restoration, and urban design. His design passion is creating active, vibrant places through thoughtfully intertwining people within the natural and built environment while telling the site’s story by responding to the natural characteristics of the site. Dale is a graduate of Mississippi State University and a resident of Birmingham. He was led to the field of landscape architecture through his affection for the outdoors cultivated in the woodlands and creeks of his childhood as well as his love for architecture. He enjoys spending time with his wife and son (his best built work), real estate, cheering on the bulldogs, and exploring new areas.