Kannapolis / Cabarrus County Area
Cabarrus County offers a variety of recreational, social, and enrichment opportunities for individuals with IDD & autism:
Kannapolis Parks & Recreation – Inclusive Recreation
https://www.kannapolisnc.gov/parks
Inclusive community recreation programs with adaptive support available.
Special Olympics Cabarrus County
https://sonc.net/local-programs/cabarrus-county/
Sports training and competitive events for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Cabarrus County Library System
https://www.cabarruscounty.us/Departments/Library
Sensory-friendly programs, inclusive events, and accessible learning resources.
Cabarrus Partnership for Children
https://www.cabarruspartnership.org
Family support, early childhood resources, and developmental education.
Sanford / Lee County Area
There are growing social, recreational, and inclusive opportunities for children and adults with IDD & autism in Lee County and surrounding areas:
Sanford Parks & Recreation – Inclusive Programs
https://www.sanfordnc.net/parks
Inclusive youth and adult recreation programs with accommodations available upon request.
Special Olympics Lee County
https://sonc.net/local-programs/lee-county/
Year-round sports training and competitions for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Lee County Libraries
https://www.leecountync.gov/library
Sensory-friendly story times, inclusive educational programming, and accessible community events.
YMCA of Lee County
https://ymcatriangle.org/locations/lee-county-ymca
Inclusive fitness, swim lessons, and youth programs with disability accommodations.
Raleigh / Wake County Area
Raleigh and Wake County provide one of the most robust networks of inclusive and adaptive programming in North Carolina:
Raleigh Specialized Recreation & Inclusion Services
https://raleighnc.gov/parks/services/specialized-recreation-and-inclusion-services
Fitness, sports, arts, social activities, camps, and trips for individuals with disabilities.
Wake County Special Olympics
https://sonc.net/local-programs/wake-county/
Year-round sports training and competitions across multiple age groups.
Wake County Parks, Recreation & Open Space
https://www.wakegov.com/departments-government/parks-recreation-open-space
Inclusive and adaptive recreation programs throughout Wake County.
Marbles Kids Museum – Sensory-Friendly Play
https://www.marbleskidsmuseum.org
Inclusive learning experiences and sensory-friendly events for children with developmental needs.
Charlotte / Mecklenburg County Area
Charlotte has a large ecosystem of inclusive recreational, social, and community-based opportunities:
Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation – Therapeutic Recreation
https://parkandrec.mecknc.gov/Programs/Therapeutic-Recreation
Adaptive recreation, inclusive sports, leisure education, and community outings.
Special Olympics Mecklenburg County
https://sonc.net/local-programs/mecklenburg-county/
Athletic training and competitive opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Autism Society of North Carolina – Charlotte Region
https://www.autismsociety-nc.org
Support groups, social programs, educational workshops, and advocacy resources.
Discovery Place – Sensory-Friendly Events
https://discoveryplace.org
Inclusive museum experiences and sensory-friendly community events.
Rock Hill / York County, South Carolina
Rock Hill and York County offer a growing network of inclusive recreational, social, and community-based opportunities for individuals with IDD & autism:
Rock Hill Parks, Recreation & Tourism – Inclusive Recreation
https://www.cityofrockhill.com/departments/parks-recreation-tourism
Offers inclusive youth and adult recreation programs, with accommodations available for individuals with disabilities.
Special Olympics South Carolina – York County
https://so-sc.org
Provides year-round sports training and competitive opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout York County.
York County Library System – Inclusive & Sensory-Friendly Programs
https://www.yorkcountylibrary.org
Offers inclusive story times, educational programs, and accessible community events.
YMCA of Upper Palmetto – Inclusive Programs
https://www.ymcaup.org
Provides inclusive fitness, swim lessons, camps, and youth programs with adaptive support available.
Autism Society of South Carolina – Midlands & Upstate Resources
https://www.autismsocietysc.org
Support groups, education, advocacy, and community-based resources for individuals with autism and their families across South Carolina.
Charlottesville / Albemarle County, Virginia
Charlottesville and Albemarle County provide a strong mix of inclusive recreation, arts, and community engagement opportunities for individuals with IDD & autism:
Charlottesville Parks & Recreation Therapeutic Recreation
https://www.charlottesville.gov/parks
Offers inclusive recreation, adaptive programs, and community activities for individuals with disabilities.
Albemarle County Parks & Recreation – Adaptive Recreation
https://www.albemarle.org/government/parks-recreation
Provides adaptive and inclusive programs designed to support individuals with developmental and physical disabilities.
Special Olympics Virginia – Area 18 (Central Virginia)
https://specialolympicsva.org
Year-round sports training and competition opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities in Central Virginia.
The Arc of the Piedmont
https://thearcpiedmont.org
Provides advocacy, social programs, family supports, and community inclusion initiatives for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Jefferson-Madison Regional Library – Inclusive Programs
https://jmrl.org
Offers inclusive educational programming, accessible events, and sensory-friendly opportunities throughout the region.