♪ >> Spending time in the pool can be an enjoyable way to relax or get fit.

But for those with certain physical and neurological challenges begin a public poll with several other people can cause sensory overload.

That's why the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Department is carving out some pool time to make the pool more accessible to all.

>> Our department as a whole.

>> Has had a commitment to serving individuals with physical or intellectual since the early our adult athletic club started in the early 80's to to provide once they graduated from high school.

The opportunity for participate in sports and through Special And so that was kind of a kick start of what became our special populations What is now our Adaptive Recreation division.

And so our department has had a commitment for a long time to ensure that in our community no matter what disability that may have can enjoy recreation can enjoy being in.

The parking can enjoy sport.

We kind of take that that commitment that we have to serving people with disabilities within our department.

And we brought it to the aquatic Center of the summer and offering are censoring adaptive swims.

And really what they are, it's just an opportunity for individuals with disabilities.

You know, groups, organizations locally that that work with individuals with disabilities, young and old children or to just have a crowded, less you know, impactful experience.

So about 9 I will bring more the next.

>> Tom, this is something that they don't get to do a lot.

Some of them.

This is their first time even come into slim or careful.

>> A lot of my clients are from the water and with less people in them not as scared because it's one-on-one geared more toward one on one with the city parks and the county park system.

See here, you know, they can go out in the belly act that can go out and a cat and the water will switch or adaptive equipment for them and not be a gay or you know, they're they're swimming.

They're in but not necessarily all by themselves.

>> Ellis fun.

There is all right.

Women.

that keeps me.

Calm because sometimes I get.

Upset about things for doing 4 times throughout the summer.

So this is our second one.

>> So we have 2 more in July that will offer the last one that we on June.

11th.

We had probably about 50 people or so.

And so we just hope that that continues to grow.

People are scared of people with disabilities, said normal.

>> The normal community because they don't know had to communicate with them.

They're regular people just like you and I.

And you know, they want to go do fun things just like everyone else.

This is a huge self confidence builder for them.

>> One of the biggest bean win when we welcome in individuals with to our there are services to our facilities within the parks and recreation world.

We're giving the community an opportunity to see this idea of focusing on a person's abilities and what they can do rather than what they cannot and shifting that focus away from disability, any community that is is willing to kind of open their doors and opened their arms to the individuals with disabilities through the programs and services.

They provide is really going to open their department and their community too, a world of impact that they never thought to be possible.

And we really see a shift you know, again and our community as a whole becoming more welcoming.

>> Towards people with disabilities.

>> Great program.

Indeed.

Bowling Green parks and recreation is offering sensory and adaptive swim.

Time through July.

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