Frequently Asked Questions

CUSR provides year-round therapeutic recreation and leisure opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. CUSR complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination on a basis of a disability. Our mission is to make reasonable accommodations to enhances participants’ abilities in enjoyable, recreational, leisure, and social settings. Our services include inclusive and cooperative programs, special events, after school programs, over night trips, Special Olympics, summer day and camps and much more! CUSR participants explore new areas of interest, make new acquaintances, and learn lifetime leisure skills.

Special recreation is recreation that’s designed specifically to meet the needs of people with disabilities, so they can participate in leisure, sports, fitness, arts, and social activities in a way that’s safe, accessible, and enjoyable. 

CUSR supports any individual who qualifies as having a “disability” within the meaning of ADA; this includes any individual who:

• has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the individual’s major life activities;
• has a record of such an impairment; or
• is regarded as having such an impairment

“Major life activities” is defined as functions such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, thinking, concentrating, working and interacting with others.

CUSR has a cooperative agreement with the cities of Champaign and Urbana; residents who reside within these cities and pay taxes towards either Urbana or Champaign’s Park districts pay resident (R) rates for programs. Residents residing outside these cities will pay the non-resident (NR) rate, which is 33% more than the resident rates. Fees charged for programs are used to offset part of the costs of special instructors, facility costs, and program supplies.

We’re glad you asked! CUSR implemented a non-resident policy:

To ensure more individuals have access to the CUSR programs of their choice, there is a new policy for all the non-residents whom do not pay taxes into Champaign or Urbana Park District. Non-residents now have the option to pay $50 for a year’s privilege to register at the resident rate. This charge is yearly starting from the time initially paid. Call the CUSR office for more details.

The CUSR office is located at 2212 Sangamon Drive in Champaign and is open Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm. If you need to contact a program Coordinator outside of regular business hours, they can be reached at the following numbers:

• Christina Mott, CUSR Manager: 217-819-3862
• Nikiaya Brandon, CUSR Adults & Special Events: 217-819-3865
• Cole Alvis, CUSR Athletic, Volunteers, and Inclusion: 217-819-3863
• Tristan Elzy, CUSR Youth & Teen: 217-819-3864

Youth/Teen:
In general, youth and teen programs are available to individuals 5-22; however, each specific program has a specific age range (see program guide). Within the youth/teen program area, CUSR’s programs include life skill classes, social gatherings, community outings, special events, summer camps, school day out programs, afterschool programs, and day trips.

Adult:
In general, adult programs are available to individuals ages 14 and up; however, each specific program has a specific age range (see program guide). Within the adult program area, CUSR’s programs include life skill classes, social gatherings, community outings, special events, dances, day trips, and overnight trips.

Athletics/Fitness:
CUSR offers several Special Olympic sports, including Aquatics, Co-Ed Basketball, Cheerleading, Bowling, Powerlifting, Softball, Track & Field, Unified Volleyball, and traditional Volleyball. CUSR also offers various sport skills classes, fitness, and running programs.

Inclusion:
CUSR also offers inclusion services. In cooperation with the Champaign Park District and Urbana Park District, CUSR staff are happy to assist and advise any resident who is interested in participating in local park district programs. CUSR will provide the type of support deemed necessary for successful participation. Support may include training with the park district staff members, consultation with the individual and the individual’s family members, and the assistance of support staff member, or inclusion aide. View our Inclusion FAQs page for more details!

All programs are eligible for scholarships excluding Therapeutic Horseback Riding, overnight adult trips, and Transportation.

How do I apply?

Click below to apply for scholarships!

What is needed to apply?

Applicants must provide proof of income with pay stubs, taxes, social security, etc.

In cooperation with the Champaign Park District and Urbana Park District, CUSR staff are happy to assist and advise any resident who is interested in participating in local park district programs. CUSR will provide the type of support deemed necessary for successful participation. Support may include training with the park district staff members, consultation with the individual and the individual’s family members, and the assistance of support staff member, or inclusion aide.

If you are unsure about what support would be best for the participant, please contact CUSR and we are happy to meet with you to discuss the needs of the participant and the options we recommend for their participation in the program. We are also happy to observe a current participant to evaluate the support we would recommend. If you wish to have your participant observed by CUSR staff, please request the CUSR Observation form and submit it to inclusion@Champaignparks.org

Any participant with a special need qualifies for inclusion services. Populations we service but are not limited to: Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Disorder, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Developmentally Delayed, Physical Disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injury, Visually Impaired, and those with other special needs.

Accommodations can include: adaptive equipment such as easy grip paintbrushes, and scissors, large print, sound amplification devices, behavior management support such as a visual schedule, incentive charts/sticker chart, social stories, adapting rules and policies including shorter activity cycles or more breaks between activities, , staff training such as disability awareness training so the location staff can have a better understanding of a disability, train staff on how to modify activities to meet varying skill levels, and on how to identify sensory overload , an inclusion aide that can facilitate friendships and peer interactions, reiterate expectations, provide reminders and support transition times, and sign language interpreter. The accommodations available are evaluated on an ongoing basis and can be altered as the person grows within the program.

Registration is available:

• Online
• In person at any of the following locations; or
  • CUSR Center – 2212 Sangamon Dr.
  • Leonhard Recreation Center – 2307 Sangamon Dr.
  • Springer Cultural Center – 301 N. Randolph St.
  • Douglass Community Center – 512 E. Grove St.

Registrations will not be processed if a fee balance remains from a previous season; payment plans are offered on an individual basis. CUSR Coordinators and program staff MAY NOT accept registration forms or payment at programs. CUSR does not prorate for late registration. Exceptions may be made for people who are new to the community.

In cases where the minimum number of registrants is not received for a program, inclement weather, or other unforeseen circumstances, CUSR has the right to cancel the program. In cases of program cancellations, excluding weekly programs such as Special Olympic practices, full refunds will be issued to all registrants.

Inclement Weather Policy: If inclement weather occurs, CUSR may still decide to hold programs. If the weather turns dangerous, CUSR will call participants prior to the start of the program to cancel the program. Missed programs due to weather may be made up the week after the end of the program season.

Extreme Temperature Policy: Hot temperatures (for outdoor programs) at program time: 100°F actual temperature; heat index of 110°F or more constitutes cancelling program due to unsafe conditions. Cold temperatures (for all programs) at program time: 2°F actual temperature; -30°F or below wind chill constitutes cancelling program due to unsafe conditions.

All registration cancellations must be made at least one week prior to the start of the program in order to receive a full refund. For programs with cancellation dates listed, registration must be cancelled no later than the specified date to receive a full refund. Any program cancellations after the one week deadline will receive no refunds. A $5 service charge will be deducted from all cancellation refunds.

For ticketed events or overnight trips, partial refunds may be made even before the one week deadline dependent on program costs. These refunds will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Refunds can be issued in one of three ways. A refund can be credited to the individual’s account, back to the credit card used to register, or a check can be issued to the account’s head of household (typically the primary guardian). In the event of a refund being credited to an individual’s account, the refund amount is held by CUSR and those funds are used to pay the program fees of future programs. If an individual prefers to receive their refund in the form of a check, CUSR must be notified and a check is issued with in 2-3 weeks.

Sometimes programs may reach the maximum number of participants. If this is the case, individuals have the option of being placed on the wait list for that program. If a spot opens up, individuals will be contacted in the order of their registration date.

Special events are programs that are not offered month-to-month, but rather only once a season or year. Examples of these events are day trips, such as visiting the Chicago Auto Show or attending an athletic event, overnight weekend trips, and holiday parties.

No, our Strikes & Spares, Teen Pins, Frunner Club, and Fitness Frenzy programs are not sanctioned Special Olympics sports. We may also periodically offer different sports to introduce new sports to our communities.

Special Olympics allows individuals 8 years of age and older to compete. The new exception to this rule is the “Young Athletes” programs. Youth Athletes is a starter program for children ages 2-7 to build and enhance motor skills typically used in other Special Olympics sports. Each sport offered by CUSR has a specific age range that may differ from that of Special Olympics. If a participant does not fall within that age range, please contact CUSR- these instances will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Special Olympics requires every athlete to have a current med app on file. This ensures that every athlete has the health to participate. Med apps are valid for 3 years from the date of the examination regardless of the parent/guardian/entrant signature date. Failure to complete and turn in a med app will result in the dismissal of the athlete from program.

No, this is a requirement of Special Olympics and CUSR for the safety of the athlete. No exceptions will be made.

We love new program ideas–especially from our participants and families! If you have a program you’d like to see offered, let a CUSR coordinator know and we will do everything we can to make it happen!

Each CUSR bus/van has it’s own phone that will be taken during field trips and program pick-up/drop off.

Bus 26: 217-722-5761

Van 72: 217-722-6870

Bus 73: 217-480-8572

Absolutely not! CUSR offers door-to-door transportation for a majority of its Adult and Athletic programs; you can request transportation at the time of registration or up to 1 week prior to the program date. Most transportation options for Adult programs are $10/program but varies for monthly or extended programs; because Athletic programs meet weekly, the cost is higher and varies for each sport.

Our door-to-door routes are only available to residents in Champaign and Urbana. The routes need to have a minimum of 3 registrants to run. If a route is cancelled, a phone call will be made to the participant and their caregiver, and a full refund will be issued to the participant.

After all participants have signed up for door-to-door transportation. Each participant will receive a phone call or email prior to the program with their pickup time. Upon arrive for pickup, staff are to wait no longer than 5 minutes past the specified pick-up time for a participant to board the bus. Waiting longer results in a delay in all pickup times. If a participant misses their pickup time, they are responsible for getting to the program; CUSR drivers will not return to a pickup spot.

Typically, CUSR drivers only pick up participants from their homes. However, exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. If you wish to be picked up from or dropped off at a location other than your home, please contact the CUSR office prior to the transportation date.

In order to be fair to our participants and staff, CUSR and the Champaign Park District has enacted a late pick-up policy. Each time a participant is not picked by designated ending time, a $1.00 per minute fee will be charged. Registration for other programs will not be accepted until all outstanding late fees are paid. The late fee is due within three days. Payments can be made in person, over the phone, or on your SmartRec/Amilia account. Failure to pay late pick-up fees could result in suspension from programming.

We are always looking for fun, energetic people to help with everything from one-time special events to weekly Special Olympics sports programs, even our daily After School program can always use volunteers. Contact Cole Alvis, Volunteer Coordinator at cole.alvis@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3863.

We are always looking for fresh faces to help with our programs. Please visit the Champaign Park District website, here, to see all current employment opportunities and to submit an application.