Getting Started in Adaptive Sports
Whether you’re newly disabled, returning to sports after injury, or trying athletics for the first time, this guide helps you find programs, equipment, funding, and community.
Contents
Section titled “Contents”- Where to Start
- Finding Programs Near You
- Equipment & Adaptive Gear
- Funding & Financial Assistance
- Classification & Competition
- By Country
- Tips for Getting Started
Where to Start
Section titled “Where to Start”First Steps
Section titled “First Steps”-
Identify your interests – What sports appeal to you? Team or individual? Competitive or recreational?
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Find local programs – Adaptive sports programs, disability sport organizations, recreation centers with inclusive programming.
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Try before you commit – Many programs offer intro sessions, equipment loans, or come-and-try days.
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Connect with community – Other disabled athletes are your best resource for navigating adaptive sports.
You Don’t Need to Be an Athlete
Section titled “You Don’t Need to Be an Athlete”Adaptive sports welcome all levels:
- Recreational: Exercise, fun, community
- Competitive local: League play, local tournaments
- Elite/Paralympic: High-performance pathway
Most people start recreational and find their level from there.
Finding Programs Near You
Section titled “Finding Programs Near You”Types of Programs
Section titled “Types of Programs”Disability-specific organizations:
- Spinal cord injury sport clubs
- Blind sport associations
- Deaf sport clubs
- Amputee sport programs
Multi-disability programs:
- Adaptive sports centers
- Challenged Athletes Foundation programs
- Move United chapters (formerly DSUSA)
Mainstream programs with adaptive options:
- YMCA adaptive programs
- Parks and recreation departments
- University adaptive athletics
Rehabilitation programs:
- VA adaptive sport programs
- Hospital-based recreation therapy
- Rehab center sport programs
How to Search
Section titled “How to Search”Online directories:
- Move United program finder
- Challenged Athletes Foundation
- National governing body websites (wheelchair basketball, etc.)
Ask:
- Physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists
- Independent Living Centers
- Other disabled people in your area
- Disability organizations
Equipment & Adaptive Gear
Section titled “Equipment & Adaptive Gear”Sport-Specific Equipment
Section titled “Sport-Specific Equipment”| Sport | Equipment Needed | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelchair basketball | Sport wheelchair | $2,000-$8,000+ |
| Wheelchair tennis | Sport wheelchair | $2,000-$6,000+ |
| Wheelchair racing | Racing chair | $3,000-$10,000+ |
| Handcycling | Handcycle | $2,000-$15,000+ |
| Sit-skiing | Mono-ski or bi-ski | $3,000-$8,000+ |
| Sled hockey | Sled + sticks | $500-$2,000 |
| Running prosthetics | Running blade | $10,000-$30,000+ |
Getting Equipment
Section titled “Getting Equipment”Loan programs:
- Many adaptive sport programs loan equipment for beginners
- Try sports before investing in personal equipment
- Programs want you to participate; they’ll help you access gear
Grants and funding:
- Challenged Athletes Foundation grants
- Disabled Sports USA grants
- VA programs for veterans
- Insurance (limited)
- Crowdfunding
Used equipment:
- Adaptive sports buy/sell groups on Facebook
- Program equipment sales
- Athletes upgrading their gear
Universal Design Gear
Section titled “Universal Design Gear”Some equipment works across disabilities:
- Adaptive grips
- Ball bearings for various mounts
- Visual/auditory adaptations
Funding & Financial Assistance
Section titled “Funding & Financial Assistance”Grants for Athletes
Section titled “Grants for Athletes”United States:
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Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF): Grants for equipment, training, competition. One of the largest funders of adaptive athletes.
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Move United (formerly DSUSA): Program grants, scholarships
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Kelly Brush Foundation: Grants for adaptive equipment, focused on spinal cord injury and skiing
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High Fives Foundation: Grants for winter sports athletes with life-altering injuries
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Semper Fi & America’s Fund: Grants for injured veterans
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Lakeshore Foundation: Programs and support in Alabama, national influence
Sport-specific grants:
- Many national governing bodies offer athlete support
- Sport-specific foundations (wheelchair basketball, sled hockey, etc.)
Corporate programs:
- Toyota Mobility Foundation
- Various equipment manufacturer programs
Insurance Coverage
Section titled “Insurance Coverage”Insurance rarely covers sport-specific equipment (sport wheelchairs, running prosthetics). However:
- Daily-use mobility equipment may be covered
- Some supplemental policies cover adaptive equipment
- VA covers equipment for veterans
- Workers’ comp may cover equipment for work-related injuries
Crowdfunding
Section titled “Crowdfunding”Many adaptive athletes use crowdfunding for:
- Equipment purchases
- Competition travel
- Training expenses
Platforms: GoFundMe, HelpHOPELive (for medical needs)
Classification & Competition
Section titled “Classification & Competition”Getting Classified
Section titled “Getting Classified”If you want to compete formally, you’ll need sport classification:
- Contact national governing body for your sport
- Complete classification process (medical documentation + functional assessment)
- Receive classification code specific to that sport
- Classification may be reviewed as you compete
Competition Pathways
Section titled “Competition Pathways”Local → Regional → National → International
Most sports have:
- Local leagues and clubs
- Regional/state championships
- National championships
- International competitions
- Paralympic Games (elite level)
You don’t have to aim for Paralympics to compete. Many athletes enjoy local and regional competition throughout their careers.
By Country
Section titled “By Country”United States
Section titled “United States”National Organizations:
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Move United (moveunitedsport.org) – Largest multi-sport adaptive organization. Chapter network, program finder, events.
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Challenged Athletes Foundation (challengedathletes.org) – Grants, mentorship, events. Major funder of adaptive athletes.
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U.S. Paralympics (teamusa.org/us-paralympics) – National Paralympic Committee. High-performance pathway, Paralympic sport development.
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Lakeshore Foundation (lakeshore.org) – Major adaptive sport and fitness center in Birmingham, AL. Research and national programs.
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National Veterans Wheelchair Games – Annual multi-sport competition for veterans.
Finding Local Programs:
- Move United chapter finder: moveunitedsport.org/find-a-program
- Search “[your city] adaptive sports”
- Contact local Independent Living Centers
- VA Adaptive Sports programs (for veterans)
Sport-Specific Organizations:
- National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA)
- USA Wheelchair Rugby
- US Association of Blind Athletes (USABA)
- USA Deaf Sports Federation
- Wheelchair Tennis (USTA)
- And many more by sport
United Kingdom
Section titled “United Kingdom”National Organizations:
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Activity Alliance (activityalliance.org.uk) – Umbrella organization promoting disabled people’s participation in sport.
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British Paralympic Association (paralympics.org.uk) – National Paralympic Committee.
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WheelPower (wheelpower.org.uk) – National charity for wheelchair sport. Based at Stoke Mandeville.
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Disability Sport Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland – Regional organizations.
Finding Programs:
- Activity Alliance program finder
- Local authority leisure services
- Disability sport clubs via national governing bodies
Canada
Section titled “Canada”National Organizations:
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Canadian Paralympic Committee (paralympic.ca)
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Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association (cwsa.ca)
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Blind Sports Canada
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Canadian Deaf Sports Association
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Special Olympics Canada
Provincial organizations also coordinate adaptive sport.
Australia
Section titled “Australia”National Organizations:
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Paralympics Australia (paralympic.org.au)
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Disability Sports Australia (sports.org.au)
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Sport Inclusion Australia
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State/territory Paralympic sport programs
International Resources
Section titled “International Resources”International Paralympic Committee (paralympic.org) – Global governing body, links to National Paralympic Committees worldwide.
International Blind Sports Federation (ibsasport.org)
International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (deaflympics.com)
Virtus: World Intellectual Impairment Sport (virtus.sport)
Tips for Getting Started
Section titled “Tips for Getting Started”Practical Advice
Section titled “Practical Advice”Start where you are:
- You don’t need elite fitness to begin
- Programs welcome beginners
- Your body will adapt as you train
Try multiple sports:
- Your first sport may not be your best fit
- Different sports suit different disabilities, bodies, personalities
- Recreational sampling is valuable
Connect with peers:
- Other disabled athletes are your best resource
- Ask about programs, equipment, funding tips
- Community makes sport sustainable
Be patient with yourself:
- Learning new movement patterns takes time
- Adaptive equipment has learning curves
- Progress isn’t always linear
Mental Health Benefits
Section titled “Mental Health Benefits”Research consistently shows adaptive sports improve:
- Depression and anxiety symptoms
- Self-esteem and body image
- Social connection
- Quality of life
- Independence and confidence
Common Barriers (and Solutions)
Section titled “Common Barriers (and Solutions)”| Barrier | Solution |
|---|---|
| ”I don’t know where to start” | Contact Move United or equivalent; ask other disabled people |
| ”Equipment is too expensive” | Use loan programs first; apply for grants |
| ”No programs near me” | Virtual coaching; create informal groups; travel to regional events |
| ”I’m not athletic” | Recreational programs welcome everyone; fitness builds with participation |
| ”I’m embarrassed” | Disability sports are full of people who felt the same way; community helps |
| ”Transportation” | Many programs help coordinate; ask about accessibility |
Related Pages
Section titled “Related Pages”This page helps disabled people access sports and athletics.
Contribute to This Page
Section titled “Contribute to This Page”Have lived experience or expertise that could strengthen this page? We especially welcome perspectives on models not well represented here, including those from the Global South and Indigenous communities.
This page centers disabled people’s expertise and is informed by disabled-led organizing globally. For questions or to suggest additions, see How to Contribute.