A simple request from a local school 30 years ago sparked a movement that changed adaptive physical activity in Niagara.

In 1994, instructors from Lady Spencer Churchill School, which served children with disabilities, reached out to Brock University to organize a physical activity event. From that one initiative, Supporting Neurodiversity through Adaptive Programming (SNAP) was born.

Over three decades, SNAP has grown from a single event to a nationally recognized movement education program housed within the Brock-Niagara Centre of Excellence in Inclusive and Adaptive Physical Activity.

“We started SNAP because of a community request. There were few physical activity opportunities for children with disabilities at the time,” said Maureen Connolly, a Professor of Kinesiology and SNAP faculty advisor, of SNAP’s grassroots beginnings. “From that first event, SNAP grew. One session per term in 1995-96 then expanding year after year. By the early 2000s, we were running weekly from October to April.”

SNAP now serves children, youth and adults with disabilities and aims to foster physical literacy, fitness and social inclusion through adapted activities tailored to individual needs. Programs range from Tiny Tots SNAP, designed for children under seven, to Side by Side for adults and Evergreen for individuals aged 50 and older experiencing dementia.

The program has also expanded its reach to participants with complex profiles who often face barriers to traditional physical activity.

SNAP’s embedded curriculum and station-based pedagogy allow participants to build movement skills progressively. Whether through play, sport skills or fundamental movement exercises, the program ensures everyone has access to meaningful and achievable physical activity.

“The biggest impact is that parents now know their kids can participate in physical activity and they seek it out,” Connolly said. “We’ve also seen school personnel request workshops on adaptive physical activity, and Brock students develop skills in facilitation and instruction that they carry into their careers.”

At the heart of SNAP’s success are thousands of dedicated Brock student volunteers who have helped run the program. Each year, more than 200 students provide one-on-one or small-group support to participants, gaining practical experience in adaptive physical activity.

As SNAP celebrates 30 years, a recent donation of $25,000 from the William Birchall Foundation is helping SNAP take critical steps toward the future.

The grant provides funding for new adaptive equipment, volunteer training and education, and subsidized registration for participants facing financial barriers. It will also allow SNAP to introduce aquatic programming, expanding opportunities for movement in an inclusive and supportive environment.

“This funding allows us to enhance our offerings and ensure more individuals have access to meaningful physical activity,” Connolly said. “It’s a major step in continuing the legacy of SNAP and strengthening our ability to serve the community.”

Other priorities for the future include including succession planning, integrating SNAP with Brock’s Adaptive Physical Activity minor and securing consistent funding to support the program’s long-term sustainability.

“For three decades, SNAP has been more than a program, it’s been a community,” Connolly said. “We’ve built something that lasts, and that continues to evolve with the needs of our participants and students.”