INCLUSION & ACCESSIBILITY

• View campus’ accessible pedestrian route map here.
• In each facility drop-down below, you’ll find accessible parking lots nearest our spaces. View the campus map for accessible parking lots here.

• Before purchasing a membership tour our spaces and work with Member Services staff to ask questions and request accommodation information.
• Braille membership waivers are available.
• Equipment is intentionally placed for easy movement.
• Our membership software includes gender markers. For students and campus affiliates, this information is pulled from the University system. For all other members, you can select your gender when setting up your profile, this will only be seen by select staff. Regardless of the gender associated with your profile, you will be able to use the locker room and restroom that is most comfortable and appropriate for you.

• Nearest accessible parking: Linden Drive Garage (Lot 13) or Lot 57
• All lockers are ADA accessible.
• Cove Pool is ADA accessible and has an entrance separate from the locker rooms.
• Jogger belts are available for use in the pool.
• The Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center is home to the Conway Adapted Fitness Center.
• Single stall, gender inclusive restrooms, showers, and changing rooms are available.
  • Level 1: 2 single stall restrooms and showers at the entrance of Cove Pool, 1 single stall restroom outside west entrance of Adapted Fitness
  • Level 2: 4 single stall restrooms in 2nd Floor Circulation, 1 single stall restroom in Thrive, Nursing Room
  • Level 3: 8 single stall restrooms, 10 single showers, and 11 single stall chaining rooms in the Universal Locker Room
• Listening devices available upon request in the following spaces: Courts 1-8, Wolf Teaching Kitchen, Cove Pool, Sub Zero Ice Rink, Classrooms 1 & 2, Halo, Reach, Cadence, Serenity, and Tempo.
• Prayer, meditation, and reflection spaces are available on Level 2 in the Serenity Studio (room 2110) and the Willow Room (room 2113). Check out this video for more information on campus prayer and reflection spaces.

• Nearest accessible parking: Lake and Johnson Ramp (Lot 46).
• All lockers are ADA accessible. 
• The pool is ADA accessible and has an entrance outside of the locker rooms.
• Jogger belts are available for use in the pool.
• Single stall, gender inclusive restrooms, showers, and changing rooms are available.
  • Lower Level: 3 restrooms with showers and baby changing stations, 1 restroom with shower and baby changing station (ADA-accessible, has access to the pool deck).
  • Level 1: ADA-accessible single restroom located by the entrance of Courts 1 and 2.
  • Level 3: ADA-accessible single restroom with baby changing station located in basketball courts behind Gym Services.
• Listening devices available for spectators at aquatic events.

• Nearest accessible public parking: University Bay Drive Ramp (Lot 76).
• Single stall, gender inclusive restroom located on the first floor behind the desk

• We invite all members to use the locker room and restroom that is most comfortable and appropriate for you. We will not assume an individual’s gender identity and will not tolerate acts of harassment or discrimination against anyone on the basis of gender identity. Such instances will be immediately addressed by our staff.
• All Rec Well student employees have the option to voluntarily disclose identifying information.  

View all policies

• The Athletic Training Rooms at the Nicholas Recreation Center and Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center are ADA-accessible.
• Athletic Training services are available across campus in convenient locations. 
• Telehealth appointments are available.

• Soderholm Family Aquatic Center and Cove Pool are both ADA-accessible. 
• Pool equipment is available to be used for free.
• Individual changing and showering areas are available.
• Pool can be accessed outside of the locker room.

• Accessible controllers.
• Free use of esports room for all students.
• Free diversity and inclusion events such as LGBTQ Friendly Dungeons and Dragons, Latinx Game Night, Women in Gaming [WinG] events.
• Reduced intramural fee of just $5 for a full year.
• All Esports events are gender inclusive.

• Climbing Wall staff attend trainings that focus on creating an inclusive and welcoming environment.
• Free Adapted Climbing events are hosted each semester.
• Free Identity-centered events are hosted each month.
• Adventure Learning Programs (ALPs) staff communicate with every group prior to their workshops to ensure an individualized experience and provide necessary accommodations.

• Dedicated staff members are available to help participants navigate group fitness classes more easily. 
• All student employees undergo training on inclusive language.
• Unified Group Fitness programming is available in partnership with Special Olympics.
• Instructors are trained to offer modifications for all fitness levels.
• Free Group Fitness Intro classes are offered for those interested in group fitness but unsure where to start.
• Equipment orientations are offered at both the Nick and Bakke.

• The Wolf teaching Kitchen is ADA accessible
• Participants may share dietary preferences and restrictions during the registration process for an adapted recipe in workshops.

• Lessons are offered in multiple levels and formats.
• American Red Cross courses are offered in multiple languages.
• American Red Cross courses are offered at various times throughout the day, including during third shift.
• American Red Cross courses are available in flexible locations across campus.
• We commit to using plain language in communications. 
• Private lessons can be tailored to individual needs based on personal goals, ability, and knowledge.
• Free clinics are offered to introduce members to the basics of swimming and ice skating.

• We partner with the Adapted Fitness program to offer education-based events about adaptive recreation.
• A variety of sports are offered in varying competition levels, including sitting volleyball, cornhole, and esports leagues.
• Open divisions are offered whenever possible to avoid dictating gender.
• All staff participate in trainings on creating inclusive culture and people-first language.
• Transgender play policy permitts all individuals to participate in the intramural sports programs consistent with their gender identity, regardless of any medical treatment. While sport programs are typically offered in gender-based divisions, we seek to provide opportunities for all students to participate in programs inclusive of gender identity.

• Alt text used on all website photos.
• Closed captioning included in video projects.

• All officers go through inclusive culture training annually.
• Diversity and inclusion training required of officers as part of annual training.
• Funding available for clubs or members needing sport-specific accommodations. (For example, sign language interpreters, adaptive gear, etc.).
• All Rec Well members are eligible to participate in Sport Club programs. Each sport club’s national governing body may have additional requirement or policies regarding gendered roster eligibility for sanctioned competition. Reach out to Abby Van Note with any questions about gender based eligibility.
• Badgers for Special Olympics is a sports club that includes both UW Madison students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The club travels and competes against other Unified teams across the country.

• We partner with campus units on a referral program to provide individual-based access to programs, services, and facilities. 
• Programs can be held at various campus locations by request. All are adaptable to individual need.
• Program content is delivered in multiple formats.
• All staff participate in trainings on inclusive culture and health equity.
• Meditation, wellbeing workshops, and wellness coaching are free to all students.

• Scholarships available for Summer Camp participants.
• Accommodation request form available for youth participants.

• All hiring committees review inclusive hiring practices and implicit bias.
• Every year, Rec Well’s internal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee creates goals related to our professional staff. This includes a commitment to provide professional development related to inclusion annually.

• Since 2016, all new employees complete diversity training as part of onboarding. Topics include microaggressions, identity awareness, intent vs impact, and allyship.
• Since 2016, we host an annual Student Employee Diversity Forum to allow student leaders to learn about diversity-related topics, as well as provide a space for staff to voice concerns and talk about opportunities for change. Almost 500 student employees have participated in this self-work event since it began.
• Student employees are trained on creating inclusive culture and using inclusive and people-first language.
• Hiring managers utilize rubrics to eliminate implicit bias in hiring practices.
• We collaborate with campus partners (i.e. International Student Services, UHS, and McBurney Disability Resource Center) to train and prepare staff to appropriately respond to situations in facilities.