The Community MAP (Means All People) was an exciting project to empower people with disabilities to participate in recreational activities of their choice within their own communities.  Local coalitions formed by people with disabilities, their family members, and non-disability-specific organizations help make this possible by helping the person identify and gain access to the activities within that community.

Four New Mexico communities (Anthony, Farmington, Socorro, and Roswell) formed coalitions and assisted individuals with disabilities or families to participate in the project as Community Research Associates (CRAs).  The coalition helped the CRAs access leisure/recreation activities of their choice and the CRAs agreed to share their experiences for publication in a guidebook. 

The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) funded the project through a Grant of National Significance.  The four sites were provided with funds to create and utilize their own local budget.  Each of the sites agreed to use the monies to help individuals pay for activity fees and necessary equipment or supplies.  They also used some of the monies to pay the CRAs for their time.

Each of the communities was successful in helping individuals with disabilities access community recreation activities of their choice.  They have learned some very simple lessons:

1. People in the community are willing to help; they just need to be asked.

2. Money is often a barrier to community participation.  Having funds available to help pay for activity or registration fees and/or necessary equipment or supplies made the difference for some individuals.

3. Families working together as a coalition toward a common goal can make a positive difference in their communities.

4. And as a result the families become more empowered and confident and see themselves as a resource to their communities.  They are willing to take on other issues such as transportation, advocacy, and education.

Project Guidebook

The guidebook demonstrates how four committed coalitions have cast a vision, worked through challenges, and celebrated simple victories together.  The coalition members are the teachers; the guidebook is their platform.  Together with The Arc of New Mexico, coalition members hope that users of the guidebook will find inspiration, encouragement, and practical help within its pages.  Ultimately, they hope you will use it to create a coalition in your own community.

The guidebook is written for:

• People with disabilities
• Family members and/or advocates
• Community leaders
• Disability-specific professionals (therapists, providers, etc.)
• Neighbors who want to improve their communities by including all people

The MAP guidebook is available free in English or Spanish as a PDF download from this website.  Navigate to the home page and click on products.