programs

About Our Participants

The Exceptional Foundation offers a wide variety of programs
for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

We strive to facilitate the social lives of the individuals we serve through daily programs for adults, after-school and summer camp programs for youth, night and weekend events, and Saturday sports leagues as well as Special Olympics Sports and other various clubs and enrichment activities. After completing an admission interview, individuals can choose to participate in any of the opportunities The Exceptional Foundation has to offer. For more information , please contact us at information@exceptionalfoundation.org.

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Our Adults

The Exceptional Foundation offers a wide variety of activities to meet the unique and individual needs and ability levels of our participants. We offer gym activities, field trips, daily exercise, karaoke, cooking, art, social skills development, music classes, dance, and more.

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Our Youth

The Exceptional Foundation offers youth programs that are available for school age children. Activities for our youth include after-school sports leagues, art and music camps, field trips, cooking lessons, yoga, weekend events and an eight-week summer camp during the months of June and July.

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Your Questions, Answered

Frequently Asked Questions

Does The Exceptional Foundation have participant criteria?

The Exceptional Foundation Participant Criteria:
➝ Must be ages 5 and up
➝ Must have independent self-help skills (i.e.: toileting, feeding without assistance)
➝ Must be able to follow simple commands and participate in activities with minimal assistance from staff.
➝ Must have established social maturity to the degree that they are able to interact appropriately with other program participants.
➝ The physical, cognitive, and medical needs of participants must be such that they do not require one-on-one assistance or exceed the established participant/staff ratio.
➝ There will be a 30-day evaluation period to determine if our program can adequately address the needs of the participant.

Find additional expectations for participants in our Policies for Participation.

Can participants have a job and attend The Exceptional Foundation?

Yes! The Exceptional Foundation provides a flexible enrollment schedule. Although you must adhere to your selected schedule, you can choose between 1, 2, 3, or 4 days per week.

How do I become a participant?

To get started, review the participant criteria, and then contact Mary Nix Hardin, adult program manager, at mhardin@exceptionalfoundation.org to set up an admission interview.

What happens during the admission interview?

The admission interview is about a 30 to 45-minute meeting at The Exceptional Foundation with the participant, caregiver, and participant coordinator to review the program, get to know each other, get a tour of the facility, and receive the participant paperwork.

Does The Exceptional Foundation serve youth or adults?

Both!

What can we expect on the first day?

When your participant arrives for their first day, one of our friendly staff members will help them get their things put away and show them to their group. They will get paired with a buddy who will introduce them to new friends and start activities. You are welcome to call and check on them anytime throughout the day!

What if my adult participant does not attend a field trip?

Field trips are optional to attend. We mail monthly calendars with all activities along with the sign-up form for any field trips your participant would like to attend. There are planned activities for any participants who does not attend field trips.

Does The Exceptional Foundation provide transportation?

No, but The Exceptional Foundation can recommend transportation services for participants and families. Any contract that you enter into with one of these services does not have any bearing on your relationship with The Exceptional Foundation. These services are Kid One Transport, Clas Tran, VIP Max Paratransit, and One Source Transportation. The Exceptional Foundation does provide transportation to and from scheduled field trips.