Due to the torrential rain our area received on Sunday, NSSRA’s basement offices have flooded causing our WebTrac registration and phone systems to go down. We are working hard to get everything back up and running as soon as possible, but in the meantime registration through WebTrac is unavailable and any voicemails left will not be received. If you have left a voicemail in the last few days we likely did not get it, so please reach out to that staff member directly via email. Click here for our staff directory.


Please note: Virtual program sign-ups on our website are still live and continuing as normal.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our virtual ELA Fun Run and waved hello at our first bus parade last weekend!
It was a (mostly) beautiful weekend for the fun run and so great to see you all out and about in your own neighborhoods. We love seeing all of your photos, and they're still coming in! Special thanks to NASR, SEASPAR and FVSRA for joining in too. For more photos and video, click here , here , here and here . Too, follow us on social media to see more over the next few days!
We also LOVED seeing so many of you out on our bus parade route Sunday morning! Thanks for braving the rain to show your smiling faces and wonderful signs! Click here for photos and video.

If you missed it, don't worry, we'll be making the rounds again in June! Click here for details.
With both one-on-one video calls and virtual group programs available, we have plenty of options for you to stay connected with #teamnssra and your friends! Click the links below to sign up:
Need help with the tech-side of signing up for or joining virtual programs? We've got you covered! Click the videos below to learn how to sign up for virtual programs on our website, and then how to join them via Zoom.

We also put together a couple printable handouts, for both NSSRA and ELA programs, for you to organize your Zoom IDs and passwords. Download here.
Video programs and calls are conducted over Zoom, a free app that can be downloaded on your phone, tablet or computer.  Click here to download Zoom.
Don't forget to follow us on  social media ! We are posting new videos, activity ideas and more each day, and we'd love to see your faces pop up in the comments!

Register for Virtual Camp
Last week information about virtual camp was sent to participants and families who registered for camp in 2019 or 2020. If you did not register for camp one of the last two summers but would like information about virtual camp, email Recreation Manager Blair Hill at bhill@nssra.org . The registration deadline for virtual camps is Friday, May 22.


Please note: participants and families registered for Camp Duncan and Camp Wigwam will be notified of any potential changes by the end of June.
Check Out Our New Family Resources Section
NSSRA's full-time team has put together several resources to support participants and families at home. Click the links below for offline activities and pre-recorded programming, a collection of social stories to help participants understand COVID-19, resources and more. Need a little extra support or a sounding board? We're here to help! Click the staff support option and make an appointment with one of NSSRA's recreation managers or specialists. These pages will be updated regularly with additional resources.
 
Community Resources
For those of you that miss NSSRA's Music Speaks program with Music Speaks, LLC, check out their free, weekly livestreams on Thursdays! Join Music Speaks Music Therapy each week at 6:30 pm for an interactive music session with a board-certified music therapist! Wind down from the day and learn new techniques to use at home each and every day.

You can view these videos anytime on the Music Speaks Youtube Channel, as well as follow all events and announcements here .
Join A.B.L.E.’s teen ensemble for a reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic comedy, "Comedy of Errors," about mistaken identity! Beginning Monday, May 18, the ensemble - 20 young adults with Down syndrome and other developmental differences - will release a new episode each week, filmed entirely over Zoom.

A.B.L.E. (Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations) is a Chicago nonprofit that creates theatre and film projects for, with, and by individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental differences. Click here for details.

If you've run across a great virtual resource for participants with disabilities and their families, we'd love to hear about it! Email info@nssra.org and share it with us!
Have you followed us over on Instagram , Facebook or YouTube yet?

Every week we're posting new activities, workouts, storytime readings, games and more!

Special Olympics Illinois State Summer Games (CANCELLED)
Friday, June 12 - Sunday, June 14
Cancelled per Special Olympics Illinois
Shining Stars Awards & Recognition Banquet (RESCHEDULED)
Friday, October 30, 2020
Originally Friday, April 24, 2020
We will communicate further updates as we have them. With questions or for more information, please contact Recreation Manager Blair Hill at bhill@nssra.org .
U pcoming Board Meetings

Thursday, June 4 at 7:00 pm
This meeting will be held virtually.

Monday, June 8 at 7:00 pm
This meeting will be held virtually.

Thursday, June 11 at 10:00 am
This meeting will be held virtually.