WDSRA: the organization helping people with special needs live their dreams
The development of individuals through recreation
Dreams come in all shapes and sizes — they are not limited. Whether you are able-bodied or need a little extra help, everyone dreams: of living better, of a better tomorrow. WDSRA — the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association — works every day to make the simple dreams of children and adults with special needs come true.
WDSRA serves the recreational needs of people with special needs in the Naperville area. It began in 1976 when four park districts — Glen Ellyn, Naperville, West Chicago, and Wheaton — formed the association so that people with special needs would have more choices in recreation. Its first program was a one-summer day camp that served 125 children with disabilities. Today it serves more than 4,500 people.
Who it serves and what it offers
WDSRA is a cooperative extension of nine park districts: Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, Roselle, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, and Winfield. It runs more than 1,500 programs, trips, and special events a year for people of all ages with any kind of disability — from developmental, behavioral, and learning challenges to physical disabilities and sensory impairments.
Its hallmarks: a safe learning environment, caring and trained staff, a high staff-to-participant ratio, inclusion services tailored to each child for park-district programs, and programs that grow with participants from preschool through the senior years.
The association runs on full-time and part-time employees plus countless volunteer hours — and it is a good place for high-school students to earn community service credit. WDSRA also organizes regular social activities for children and adults with special needs, and hosts an annual charity dinner and fundraiser (the 2013 edition was held March 9 at Abbington in Glen Ellyn).
To learn more about WDSRA or to get involved, call 630-681-0962 or look for the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association online.
Community spotlight, February 2013.
Related Stories
Vasavi Chakka's 2013 run for the District 204 school board
A community appeal from March 2013, when Vasavi Chakka ran for the Indian Prairie District 204 Board of Education in the April 9 election.
Naperville Is Lit to the Hilt
In the pandemic winter of 2020, Naperville outdid itself with holiday lights — and one friend's hand-drawn maps turned it into a family touring tradition.
Peace March Against Terrorism — Naperville (Feb 18, 2019)
After the Feb 14, 2019 Pulwama attack killed 40 CRPF personnel, the Chicago-area Indian community held a candlelight peace march in Naperville.