The Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) is an intergovernmental
partnership of ten park districts, two cities and one village in the northern
suburban area of Chicago. NSSRA provides and facilitates year-round recreation
programs and services for children and adults with disabilities who live in
the partner communities.
The Association, formed in 1970, was the first "special recreation"
association in Illinois and among the first of its kind in the country. NSSRA
now serves more than 5,000 registrants each year. Participants include adults
and children with mental, physical, emotional or other disabilities, visual
impairments or behavior disorders, as well as individuals who are on the autism
spectrum, who are deaf or hard of hearing or have debilitating conditions such
as Multiple Sclerosis or Alzheimer's Disease.
NSSRA provides a wide array of programs and services including Traditional
Programs, Inclusion Programs, Cooperative Programs, a Low Incidence Cooperative
Agreement (LICA) Extended Year Program and a Joint Summer Program (JSP) offered
with the Northern Suburban Special Education District. NSSRA works closely
with partner agencies to enable inclusive recreation. Other services include
Outreach, In-Home Programming, Leisure Skill Development, Provision of Speakers
in the field of Therapeutic Recreation and more.
NSSRA offers more than 700 cultural, sport, social, physical, outdoor, trip
and special event programs, available during the day, after school, in the evenings
and on weekends. Most agency programs are planned and conducted by full time
staff trained in the provision of recreation activities for people with disabilities.
Our Gator Athletics/Special Olympics training and competitions span 17 sports.
In addition to 15 full time staff members, NSSRA utilizes hundreds of part-time,
seasonal paid employees and volunteers. NSSRA is funded through Program Fees,
a Special Recreation property tax levied by partner agencies, Grants, Donations
and other sources.
For details about NSSRA News, Programs, Funding, Staff, Partner Agencies, or
Foundation, please click on the provided link above. Or, you may contact NSSRA
at 847.509.9400 or email info@nssra.org.
Facts about NSSRA
NSSRA Value Statements
Freedom of Information Act
Job Opportunities
Annual Information Form
