Sports, Active Living, & Recreation

  • Mount Sinai SCI Adaptive and Inclusive Workouts Guide: Our team at The Spinal Cord Injury Research Center have created a comprehensive guide of adaptive & inclusive fitness, dance and yoga resources that people with SCI can access to stay active and healthy!
  • Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults with Spinal Cord Injuries: This guideline by the University of British Columbia has been developed by an international group of SCI scientists, people living with SCI, clinicians, and representatives from SCI organizations. These physical activity guidelines are based on the best scientific evidence available.
  • MSKTC Adaptive Sports and Recreation: This fact sheet explains the important role that adaptive sports and recreation can play after a spinal cord injury (SCI). It also describes different types of sports equipment and points out some health problems to watch for as you participate in sports activities.
  • Active Homes: Strength-Training Guide For People with SCI: This guide is designed as a resource manual for individuals with a spinal cord injury who want to try to meet the strength training recommendations as outlined in the Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults with SCI. Downloadable manuals and videos for people with paraplegia and tetraplegia for continued at-home strength training for adults with SCI are available.
  • The Miami Project’s At Home Fitness Guide: Developed by the Miami Project for those who want to incorporate different exercise protocols developed to optimize health in people with spinal cord injury. The training program consists of a mix of cardio and weightlifting exercises, utilizing resistance bands system and/or dumbbells. It includes a section that enables people to track their progress as they work toward their fitness goals.
  • Discover Accessible Fitness: A Wheelchair User’s Guide for Using Fitness Equipment: Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) created this guide as an exercise program for persons using wheelchairs.
  • Exercises At Home Packet: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington put together this wonderful packet of exercises that most can perform from a sitting position at home or a gym.
  • Eat Well, Live Well, with Spinal Cord Injury: Funded by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Eat Well, Live Well with Spinal Cord Injury is a comprehensive, practical nutritional guide written specifically for individuals with spinal cord injuries, as well as their families, friends, caregivers, health and medical professionals.
  • Axis Project: The Axis Project is a multidisciplinary center committed to providing high quality services for those with physical disabilities. This unique center empowers people with physical disabilities to pursue a healthy, active lifestyle. The center is completely wheelchair accessible and includes all accessible workout equipment. The Axis Project offers programs, activities, and classes specifically designed for people with physical disabilities. They have locations in East Harlem and Brooklyn. Visit their Facebook page for latest information.
  • National Center on Physical Activity and Disability: Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) is a public health practice and resource center on health promotion for people with disability. NCHPAD seeks to help people with disability and other chronic health conditions achieve health benefits through increased participation in all types of physical and social activities, including fitness and aquatic activities, recreational and sports programs, adaptive equipment usage, and more.
  • Exercise for People with SCI: Sheperd Center YouTube video playlist intended to promote a healthy lifestyle for people with spinal cord injury by providing how-to videos depicting various exercises users can do in a gym with the assistance of a trainer or caregiver.
  • Achilles International: 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.
  • Row New York: Row New York is a non-profit organization based in New York City focused on empowering youth, adult, and adaptive athletes through the sport of rowing. The programs are free and low-cost, depending on household income and needs. The organization and its staff have won several awards and recognition for positive impact on local youth and the sport of rowing.
  • Accessibility in NYC Parks: NYC Parks aims to make sure that all New Yorkers get the most out of the great outdoors. While many of our events are accessible, these parks events are geared specifically towards people with physical disabilities.
  • 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.
  • Adaptive Climbing Group: Adaptive Climbing Group is a community for people with disabilities to have opportunities to inclusively participate in the sport of climbing. A.C.G. New York runs Sunday and Thursday evening clinics in Brooklyn Boulders-Brooklyn and Tuesday sessions in Queensbridge.
  • GallupNYC: GallopNYC offers therapeutic horsemanship programs to children and adults with disabilities, including Veterans and at-risk youth. At the height of our season, we provide lessons to 686 riders a week, and operate our riding program at four locations. We are committed to serving low-to-middle income families. Schedules at each location vary seasonally.
  • Stay-Focused, Inc.: Stay-Focused offers teens and young adults with disabilities the opportunity to become certified SCUBA divers and through that experience to learn lasting lessons about life and achievement.
  • Heidi Latsky Dance: The mission of HLD is to bring contemporary dance to a broad audience in a visceral and emotional way with performers whose unique attributes, physical and otherwise, are honored and utilized in highly dynamic, virtuosic and provocative ways.
  • 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.
  • Challenged Athlete Foundation: Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) to provide opportunities and support to people with physical challenges, so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics. CAF believes that involvement in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Disabled Sports USA: Since 1967, Disabled Sports USA (DSUSA) has focused on one goal: To improve the lives of wounded warriors, youth and adults with disabilities by providing sports and recreation opportunities. DSUSA has 120 community-based chapters in more than 40 states and offers over 50 different sports.
  • Sports Abilities: A guide to resources on in all states for adaptive sports organizations and equipment.
  • No Barriers: A national non-profit that uses sports and adventure to break through barriers and tap into participant’s full potential. Their flagship is the Annual No Barriers summit, a 4-day event held with over 40 adaptive activities
  • 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.
  • Life Rolls On: Founded by world champion quadriplegic surfer Jesse Billauer, Life Rolls On is dedicated to improving the quality of life for young people affected by spinal cord injury. The organization hosts national adaptive surfing and skating events throughout the year.
  • 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.
  • Every Body Fitness – Online Exercise Class: Every Body Fitness, an exercise ideology created by Physical Therapist Kristin McNealus, is the first online exercise program for people with spinal cord injuries. The 45-minute Fitness and Strength Training (F.A.S.T.) class is offered online, twice weekly.  The online exercise program is the solution to many wheelchair users’ transportation problems and isolation issues.
  • 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 hosts several tournaments throughout the summer. The NWSA hosts a national wheelchair softball championship tournament annually.
  • Vermont Adaptive: 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.
  • Wheelchair Body Building: Wheelchair Bodybuilding, Inc. (WCBB) was founded in May 2006 as a non-profit organization by Nick Scott dedicated to raising funds to expand and improve opportunities for wheelchair athletes and adaptive athletes.
  • Roll Call Wheelchair Dance: Roll Call Wheelchair Dance is an organization exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. The mission of Roll Call is to provide people in wheelchairs, both adults and children a social dancing outlet. They also provide opportunity to learn competitive style wheelchair dance and to compete at local and national dance competitions.
  • Freedoms Wings: Freedom’s Wings International (FWI) Is A non-profit organization run by and for people with physical disabilities. We provide the opportunity for those who are physically challenged to fly in specially adapted sailplanes, either as a passenger or as a member of the flight training program.
  • Y-Knot Sailing: Y-Knot offers accessible sailing for all on Lake George. Y-Knot Sailing​ ​strives to make all aspects of sailing accessible to individuals with disabilities by ​​creating​​​ ​​opportunities, providing education, and promoting disabled sailing within the greater sailing community.
  • Able Flight: A non-profit organization which offers flight and aviation career training to people with disabilities. They train people to become pilots and offer various types of scholarships.
  • Fishing Has No Boundaries:Fishing Has No Boundaries provides recreational fishing opportunities for all anglers with disabilities regardless of their age, race, gender, or disability. Their New York Chapter is located in Fort Ann, NY.
  • 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.
  • Moving Towards Inclusion A Guide to Building a More Inclusive Fitness Industry: This Toolkit
    provides inclusive strategies that fitness practitioners can incorporate within their spaces
    to ensure that everyone has access to physical activity and equal opportunities to achieve optimal health.

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Disclaimer:
Linking to publications, materials or websites of other organizations or entities does not constitute endorsement by Mount Sinai of such publications, materials or websites. Mount Sinai provides these references and links because they may be of value to persons interested in SCI.