FAQ’s

We are here to help! Start by checking out our Welcome Guide! Learn more about who we serve, the staff, ePACT, scholarships, policies, wellness guidelines, and more! WDSRA Welcome Guide

Also, visit our New Family Guide page to learn more.

We are open Monday through Friday 9am–4pm. A list of holiday closings can be found in each seasonal brochure on the Special Information pages.

Registration can be found in each seasonal brochure.

Online is the preferred method because it provides real time registration and provides the most up to date program information. Once completed, you will receive an immediate confirmation. Online registration will only be accepted during the timeline dates found in each seasonal brochure.

Click here for easy directions for registering the first time.

Yes. However due to staff availability, program or event availability may be limited.

Yes, the front office staff will help complete your payment over the phone.

Refunds for all programs may be obtained up to two weeks prior to the first class date. A $10 processing fee will be charged for each program dropped at the request of the parent/participant. A household credit will be issued for refunds less than $10. Refunds for special events may be obtained up to two weeks prior to the event unless tickets or contracted services have been purchased. All refunds will be issued in the form of original payment (if paid by credit card – the refund will go back on the credit card; if paid by cash or check – the refund will be made by check).

Confirmations are sent a week after the lottery is spun. Specific dates can be found in each season brochure.

WDSRA staff decides if they are able to accommodate participants placed on the waitlist. If so, participant will be enrolled. If not, they remain on the waitlist until a refund is issued. You will be called if there is an opening in a program before you are taken off the waitlist and enrolled. If you remain on the waitlist until after the program begins, you will be issued a refund.

Our Outreach manager would be happy to help you find the right fit for your child.

An Annual Information Form is filled out for every participant by the participant’s parent(s) or caregiver(s). This provides WDSRA with necessary information (the information included on the annual remains confidential and is only used for the participant’s benefit), that will help WDSRA best serve the participant. It is important to complete the form thoroughly and provide as much necessary information as possible.

a. WDSRA utilizes ePACT to collect your participant information. WDSRA requires the online form to be completed and updated yearly.

• For returning participants – the Annual Information Form, through ePACT ,will need to be updated each fall and completed before the start day of any fall program.
• For new participants – once enrolled in a WDSRA program, you will be emailed an invitation to create an ePACT account and complete the online form.

b. More information about ePACT can be found here.

On our Annual Information Form you will notice a section titled ‘Demographics’. This area is important for us when we apply for grants. Grants help us keep the cost of programs down. Some of our grant applications require that we provide demographic information on the families/participants that use our services. This information will be used only for grant purposes and will be kept confidential.

In order for an athlete to compete in a Special Olympics program a current Special Olympics Medical form must be on file at the WDSRA office. The Special Olympics Medical form is valid for two years from the date of the doctor’s signature. This form is separate from the WDSRA Annual Information Form.

Parents and athletes are responsible for returning the completed form to the WDSRA office before registering for a Special Olympics program. This form must have the original signature of both the doctor and the parent/guardian.

The Special Olympic Medical Form can be found here or in a recent WDSRA brochure.

Social clubs schedules are emailed to you. All schedules are also posted online at the Schedules and Forms tab. Simply click on the appropriate schedule.

US Paralympics and Special Olympics are two great organizations that have a huge impact in the lives of the individuals with whom their programs work. There are differences in their target populations as well as in their primary missions.

Adaptive Sports (governed at the national level through bodies associated with the United States Olympic Committee/US Paralympics) are for individuals of all ages with a primary physical disability. The focus is on skill and performance development, starting at a beginner level and working to as high as international competition. Synergy Adaptive Athletics works hand-in-hand with many of our national programs and even has athletes who represent our country in competitions abroad – including the Paralympic Games. Diagnoses may include cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, visual impairment, spina bifida, ALS, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, amputations, limb length discrepancy, dwarfism, Traumatic Brain Injury and many other less defined orthopedic conditions.

Special Olympics is for individuals of all ages, primarily with intellectual disabilities. In fact, Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities. The focus of Special Olympics is to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Common diagnoses include: Autism, Down Syndrome, Fragile X, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Apert Syndrome and others.

If you or your child have a dual diagnosis and are unsure of which programs might be the best fit, please give us a call and we will be happy to discuss how we might best serve you.

WDSRA is now using a new system called BonziTeam to publicize our team schedules. This allows us the opportunity to have all information in one area for our teams and allows parents easy access. This system also has an App for smartphones to allow all information right at your finger tips. At the beginning of the season athletes and parents receive an email from the system inviting them to the schedules. If you are a family member or friend who would like access to the schedules you can call the WDSRA office and request an invite.

Participants who need financial assistance can request a scholarship as funds are available. Applications are accepted anytime. Eligible participants will receive a one-time lump sum payment to be used throughout the current WDSRA fiscal year. If needed, payment plans can be arranged. Scholarships are only available to residents in the nine communities we serve. Full details and application forms can be found at https://www.wdsra.com/pdfs/Forms/ScholarshipProgramGuidelines2025.pdf or by calling the office at 630-681-0962.