Missouri City recreation programs aim to make fitness classes accessible for disabled residents

The city is offering classes such as autism-friendly yoga and adapted archery lessons.

Cecilia "Cece" Voytek with instructor Justin Flakes at a fitness class held by the recreation center.
Natalie Weber/Houston Public Media

Houston Public Media
NATALIE WEBER, FORT BEND COUNTY BUREAU
POSTED ONDECEMBER 29, 2023, 8:00 AM

Missouri City is working to make its recreational programs more accessible to residents with disabilities through programming for people with differing levels of ability.

The Parks and Recreation Department first started developing the programs just before the pandemic.

It's hard to say exactly how many residents participated in the programs last year, but Missouri City recreation manager Allison Vickery estimates about 50 people took advantage of the programs.

"From what I’ve heard, they are excited that it’s here, and they wish that they knew about it sooner," she said.

Vickery said she looks at the kinds of classes that other local organizations are offering and tries to find unique activities to fill the gaps in accessible recreation. She also talks with participants' parents and caregivers to brainstorm.

Last summer, the recreation center earned a Certified Autism Center designation, after completing staff training and an audit.

"Missouri City Parks and Recreation Department was the first and only Parks and Recreation Department in the state of Texas to have completed that certification, and at that time, also, we are one of three parks and recreation departments in the entire United States," Vickery said.

In the coming months, the city is offering activities such as sensory-friendly yoga, a fitness class for residents with disabilities and an adapted archery class.

Jerre Ferns' 12-year-old granddaughter, Cecilia, has autism and has participated in several of the programs.

Ferns said the program has helped her granddaughter develop new skills.

"These are skills she’s obtaining that she can use like in Special Olympics or other activities," Ferns said.

Ferns said the program has also helped her connect with other caretakers and find out about other resources in the community.

"It also gives us an opportunity to meet other parents," she said. "I’ve gotten to know some parents and learned about things that I didn’t know about, that we’ve already started participating in."