Dreams for Kids
Adaptive Sports
Adaptive sports are a way for children and adults with disabilities to be able to get off the sidelines and participate in sports. Through adaptive sports, many children are able to overcome their physical and cognitive disabilities to achieve a life dream. Adaptive sports give children a sense of accomplishment, feeling of belonging, and builds confidence in themselves.
Adaptive sports consist of a wide variety of sports, such as, waterskiing, tubing, snow skiing, wakeboarding, bike riding, kayaking, basketball, and more. If you have a love for a sport, there is a way to make it adaptive! Listed below are some helpful websites dealing with adaptive sports equipment and organizations.
Adaptive Sports Association: This association specializes in adaptive sports events and equipment. They are based out of Colorado, but offer a large amount of information.
Adaptive Sports Foundation: The Adaptive Sports Foundation is the largest on the East Coast.
Extreme Adaptive Sports: This site focuses on adaptive skiing, but offers some inspirational stories.
American Association of Adapted Sports Programs: AdaptedSports integrates interscholastic sports for disabled students into the school system. This program is advanced in the adaptive sports.
Special Olympics: Special Olympics has been an outstanding program for many years that focus on sports training and fitness for disabled children and adults. It has established more than 200 programs in over 180 countries.
Adaptive Adventures: A Chicago-based organization, Adaptive Adventures offers a variety of events all year around. They offer lessons for different sports, camps, and much more! This site gives firsthand testimonials and pictures.
Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project: This is a great program that began by injured Vietnam veterans. It focuses on using sports recreation as well as competitive competitions to inspire those with disabilities to gain confidence and dignity.