Adaptive Sports

NY Rehabilitation Center Sports Programs 

  • Mount Sinai Adaptive Sport Programs: The Mount Sinai Adaptive Sports Program is designed to provide individuals with disabilities, including those with spinal cord injuries (SCI), opportunities to engage in physical activity, sports, and recreation. These programs focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and empowerment, allowing participants to develop strength, confidence, and social connections through a variety of adaptive sports. 
  • Burk Rehab Adaptive Sports: Live a happier and healthier lifestyle by participating in recreation therapy or adaptive sports at Burke Rehabilitation. Whether you are in the hospital at Burke or living at home with a physical or cognitive limitation, opportunities to take part in leisure time activities and sports are available through Burke therapeutic recreation staff and partners in the communities we serve. 
  • Helen Hayes Adapted Sports Programs: From sailing to cycling and golf to gardening, the HHH Adapted Sports & Recreation Program is a four-season initiative serving individuals with a range of abilities, interests, and skills. 
  • Montefiore Adaptive Sports: Offers adaptive sports programs designed to enhance the physical health and well-being of individuals with disabilities. The programs include a range of activities such as wheelchair basketball, tennis, and swimming, providing participants with opportunities to improve mobility, build confidence, and engage with others in an inclusive environment. The center is committed to supporting athletes with disabilities and promoting active lifestyles. 

City & Community-Based Programs 

  • Achilles NYC Metro Area Achilles International’s mission is to enable people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics in order to promote personal achievement, enhance self-esteem, and lower barriers to living a fulfilling life.  
  • Play It Forward: Adaptive sports program by Wheeling Forward offers free, adaptive sports events like skating, surfing, and water skiing to children, adults, and veterans with disabilities in the NYC area, designed to break barriers and foster inclusion and confidence. Each experience is community-based, and volunteer-supported. 
  • NYC Parks Adaptive Programs: NYC Parks offers adaptive fitness, sports, and arts programs at our parks and recreation centers for all abilities. While many of our events are accessible, these events are geared specifically towards people with physical disabilities. Find an event or program that fits your needs.   
  • Riverside Clay Tennis Association (RCTA): the Riverside Clay Tennis Association (RCTA) hosts free Adaptive Tennis every Monday at the West 96th Street Red Clay Tennis Courts in Riverside Park. There are two time slots available: 4pm and 5pm. 
  • Row New York’s Adaptive Rowing Program: Offers inclusive, year-round opportunities for individuals with physical and/or cognitive disabilities across NYC. 
  • USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center: Wheelchair tennis practice is every Sunday at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Beginners are asked to come from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. only and should contact Aki Takayama at Takayama@usta.com or (718) 760-6251 before arriving to practice. 

Regional & Upstate Programs 

  • Adaptive Sports Foundation: (Windham, NY) The Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF) is a non-profit organization that provides profound and life changing experiences for children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities and chronic illnesses through outdoor physical activity, education, support and community. 
  • Leaps of Faith (LOF) Adaptive Skiers: (Southbury, CT) A nonprofit organization that provides adaptive water skiing and snow skiing opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Through specialized equipment and trained instructors, they create an inclusive environment where participants can build confidence, improve physical fitness, and enjoy outdoor sports. 
  • Long Island Sled Hockey: (Long Island, NY) Rough Riders is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in Long Island that provides free, full-contact sled hockey programming to youth and adults with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, including veterans—all essential equipment, travel, and training included at no cost. 
  • Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program (LASP): (Ellicottville, NY) Operating from late December to mid‑March, LASP offers affordable adaptive ski lessons with scholarship options, serving veterans and individuals with a wide range of disabilities. 
  • Navigators Adaptive Sports: (Bayonne, NJ) A nonprofit organization dedicated to providing individuals with disabilities with access to adaptive sports and recreational activities. They offer a range of programs, including wheelchair basketball, sled hockey, and other inclusive sports, to promote physical activity, independence, and community engagement. 
  • New York Warriors: (Long Island, NY) The New York Warriors is a Quad Rugby Team located on Long Island, a group of quadriplegics who meet socially and play some seriously intense rugby. 
  • WNY Wreckers: (Rochester, NY) Wheelchair rugby team in Upstate New York, practicing weekly in Rochester and competing in regional fall and winter competitions. 
  • Rochester Community Inclusive Rowing (RCiR): (Rochester, NY) A fully ADA-compliant adaptive sculling center in the U.S., offering free, non-competitive rowing programs supported entirely by volunteers for veterans and individuals with physical or cognitive challenges.
  • Sitrin Adaptive Sports Program: (Utica, NY) The Sitrin Adaptive Sports Program, including STARS (Success Through Adaptive Recreation and Sports), is a nationally recognized program that provides individuals with physical disabilities including those with spinal cord injuries, amputations, and other mobility impairments—the opportunity to engage in competitive and recreational sports. 
  • Vermont Adaptive: (Killington, VT) Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports is a nationally recognized organization that empowers people of all abilities through inclusive sports and recreational programming regardless of ability to pay. In addition to sports, year-round programming options integrate environmental, holistic wellness, and competitive training philosophies for people of all ages with cognitive, developmental, physical and emotional disabilities. 

 Adaptive Sports Grants 

  • Action Sports Foundation (ASF): Provides individuals with disabilities with access to sports and recreation programs to promote physical and emotional well-being. Their Adaptive Sports Grant helps fund specialized equipment, lessons, and participation in adaptive sports programs, ensuring more people can experience the benefits of an active lifestyle. 
  • Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF):  A nonprofit organization that supports individuals with physical disabilities by providing grants for adaptive sports equipment, training, and competition expenses across a wide range of athletic activities. 
  • Getting Back Up: Provide qualified and selected individuals with SCI funding for participation in exercise-based recovery programs and the purchase of adaptable products. 
  • GoHawkEye Enabling Grant Program: Extends its eligibility to adaptive individuals and organizations across the United States, offering grants for adaptive sports equipment and adaptive sports experiences. The grant cycle is biannual, ending May 1st and November 1st. 
  • IM ABLE Foundation: Helps individuals living with disabilities to lead an active and empowered life through inclusive fitness. Their grant program is awarded to individuals with physical, cognitive, and/or behavioral challenges residing in the Mid-Atlantic region, providing adaptive sports gear and group fitness programs.   
  • High Fives Foundation: Supports athletes with life-changing injuries, primarily focusing on individuals with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities. Their grant program provides financial assistance for adaptive sports equipment, recovery, and wellness programs to help recipients regain independence and improve their quality of life. Through their grants, High Fives empowers athletes to pursue their passions and continue participating in sports despite their challenges. 
  • Kelly Brush Foundation’s Active Fund: Provides grants to individuals with spinal cord injuries to help them purchase adaptive sports equipment. This initiative promotes an active lifestyle by making recreational and competitive sports more accessible, enhancing physical and mental well-being. By supporting individuals in pursuing their athletic goals, the foundation fosters independence, inclusion, and a sense of community. 

National Organizations 

  • Active Project: Kelly Brush Foundation launched the Active Project, a platform that provides adaptive sports organizations with an interactive way to reach participants, share events and programs, and engage with the adaptive community. It also offers in-depth learning resources for anyone with physical disabilities to learn about sports, discover opportunities and events, and find peers to recreate with. 
  • Action Sports Foundation: Provides individuals with disabilities access to sports and recreation programs to promote physical and emotional well-being. Their Adaptive Sports Grant helps fund specialized equipment, lessons, and participation in adaptive sports programs, ensuring more people can experience the benefits of an active lifestyle. 
  • Adaptive Sports Foundation: The Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF) is a non-profit organization that provides profound and life changing experiences for children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities and chronic illnesses through outdoor physical activity, education, support and community. 
  • Adaptive Action Sports: Adaptive Action Sports was founded in 2005 by 3x Paralympic Medalist Amy Purdy and Daniel Gale to create opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities to get involved in action sports like skateboarding and snowboarding.  
  • Adaptive Adventures: Adaptive Adventures provides progressive outdoor sports opportunities to improve quality of life for children, adults and veterans with physical disabilities and their families.
  • Disabled Athlete Sports Association (DASA): Empowers individuals with physical, visual, or hearing disabilities. Offering everything from recreational sessions like archery, yoga, and rock climbing to competitive Paralympic-level training in sled hockey, wheelchair basketball, and para powerlifting, DASA supports athletes at all skill levels and fosters community. 
  • Move United: Move United is a national organization that promotes adaptive sports for individuals with disabilities, ensuring they have access to recreational and competitive opportunities. Through partnerships, training, and nationwide programs, Move United helps people of all abilities stay active and engaged in sports. 
  • National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA): promotes and supports wheelchair basketball across various levels, from youth to professional and Paralympic competition. It provides resources, training, and events to enhance opportunities for athletes with disabilities to participate in sports. The organization is committed to fostering inclusivity, athletic excellence, and community engagement through wheelchair basketball. 
  • National Veterans Wheelchair Games: It is the world’s largest annual adaptive sports event for military veterans who use wheelchairs due to disabilities. Organized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America, the games offer a variety of competitive and recreational sports, promoting rehabilitation, wellness, and camaraderie. 
  • National Wheelchair Softball Association (NWSA): National Wheelchair Softball Association (NWSA) was founded and serves as the governing body for wheelchair softball in the United States. Teams throughout America compete on a regular basis and host several tournaments throughout the summer. The NWSA hosts a national wheelchair softball championship tournament annually. 
  • The Ryan Martin Foundation: The Ryan Martin Foundation’s mission is to help youth and adult athletes with disabilities live independent, impassioned, productive and full lives through sports training, mentoring and education. 
  • United States Power Soccer Association (USPSA): is dedicated to promoting and developing power soccer, a competitive team sport for athletes who use power wheelchairs. The organization provides opportunities for players of all skill levels to participate, compete, and grow through leagues, tournaments, and national team programs. USPSA aims to foster inclusivity, teamwork, and athletic achievement within the adaptive sports community. 
  • Wheelchair Sports Federation: Wheelchair Sports Federation is a national non-profit that provides opportunities for the disabled and wheelchair-bound adults and youth to play sports recreationally and competitively. With an extensive volunteer network, the Wheelchair Sports Federation can help get the information that anyone or team would like regarding the numerous Adaptive Sports. 
  • The Winter Sports Clinic: Provides adaptive skiing and snowboarding opportunities for veterans and individuals with disabilities, promoting rehabilitation, confidence, and independence through winter sports. Hosted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, this annual event offers specialized instruction, state-of-the-art equipment, and a supportive community to empower participants of all abilities. 
  • World T.E.A.M. Sports: Since our first sporting program in 1987, World T.E.A.M. has organized inclusive outdoor athletic programs for adaptive and able-bodied citizens – mountain climbing, white water rafting, cycling, and more. 
  • U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee: Paralympic Sport Development program focuses on expanding access to adaptive sports for athletes with disabilities. It provides resources, training, and support to help individuals of all skill levels participate in Paralympic sports. Through partnerships and community programs, the initiative fosters inclusivity and helps develop future Paralympic athletes. 
  • US Wheelchair Rugby Association: The United States Wheelchair Rugby Association (USWRA) is a nonprofit founded that oversees and promotes wheelchair rugby across the U.S., supporting over 40 teams and more than 500 athletes. 
  • United States Wheelchair Pickleball Association (USWPA): A nonprofit dedicated to growing wheelchair pickleball through organizing clinics, exhibitions, and tournaments across the U.S., with divisions for wheelchair doubles, singles, and hybrid teams.

Adaptive Sports Publications 

  • Move United Magazine: For more than 25 years, Move United Magazine has been the leading multi-sport, multi-disability adaptive sports magazine. Issues focus on adaptive sports, adaptive athletes and Move United member network. Move United Magazine is published three times a year and is free to youth and adults with disabilities. 
  • Sports ’N Spokes: A magazine about sports and recreation for people with paralysis, published by the Paralyzed Veterans of America; SNS offers details on wheelchair athletics and competition, recreation, exercise, training, nutrition, event schedules and other topics of interest to the active wheelers. 

For more resources visit our Active Living & Recreation & Adaptive Exercise pages.