Modified Activities

Although, not all sports have created adaptive ways for everyone to be included in the event, there are several activities and adventures outside with modifications already set in place to create a more inclusive outdoor environment.

Adaptive Bike Riding

This involves the use of arm pedal exercisers, hand bikes, or bikes for frame running. These alternative bikes tend to focus more on the use of a person’s arms, allowing for them to sit upright and control the bike in a tricycle set- up

The Outdoors For All Foundation allows free non-traditional bike rentals and access to 100 miles of well paved accessible trails.

Dance and Gymnastics

Some dance schools, gyms, and leisure centers offer programs for children with disabilities. This is beneficial due to meeting children’s developmental requirements. The structure provided through these courses can be extremely helpful for those with special needs. Oftentimes this includes guardians assisting the child.

Dance for all Bodies offers zoom-based classes for all ages and abilities. There are various styles of dance classes being offered. They are a completely donation-based program trying to inspire inclusivity through ridding the dance community of ableism.

Horseback Riding

Some programs are available for children with disabilities as a therapy to improve balance, posture, muscle tone, and coordination. This can be extremely therapeutic and can be easily adapted to most forms of disabilities.

Path International is a non- profit dedicated to connecting people of all abilities to horseback riding by finding organizations near the individual and facilitating first connections. Organizations like this are vital in providing more simplistic means of accessing these alternative programs.

Wheelchair Sports

There are many wheelchair-adaptive sports. Sunrise Medical offers more variations and ideas on how to make sports more accommodating to people with a wide variety of disability.

Basketball

Although with a super common wheelchair sport, like basketball, many players like those you see in the special olympics have tilted wheels for more stability, this can be done without tilted wheels and just requires more caution from the player, this can be easily done with some guidance for the child from whoever is leading the activity, if the child is playing with able- bodied children then those children need to be aware of how to safely engage

Tennis

Tennis is a commonly adapted wheelchair sport, often played in a modified wheelchair it is special because it can be played as an up-down doubles match, with one player standing and and one player in a wheelchair, the biggest modified rule is that the ball can bounce twice

Soccer

Soccer is an engaging sport to play in a wheelchair as well, often done in electric wheelchairs with cages around the feet area for kicking, physical contact is not allowed, and a slower speed is required for safety

Hockey

Adaptive hockey has two categories: one in a manual wheelchair and another in an electric wheelchair. It is also played with two types of sticks, a conventional hand stick and a T-stick (which features plastic blades located at the front of the chair.

Bowling

Boating

Table Tennis

Blind and Vision Impaired Sports

These are only a handful of the sports played by individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Although some are specifically designed for this group, others can easily be adapted with special equipment and some creativity. Wrestling, swimming and rock climbing require little or no modifications for participants with vision loss.

Goalball

This is a team sport, and participants compete in teams of 3. Players try to throw a ball which has bells inside (so it can be heard) into the opponents goal. The teams alternate throwing or rolling the ball, and players remain in the area of their own goal in both defense and attack.

Rowing

The athlete will be able to feel how the boat is moving and how others are moving in the boat. They will be able to keep in time with others by listening for clues (placement of the oar in water).There are also tactical markers that can be placed to help with correct water placement.

Judo

Judo is the world's most popular martial art for athletes with visual impairments. It is based on the same skills, movements, tactics and respect as the sighted version of the sport. Athletes truly rely on their sense and instincts to overcome their opponent.

Beep Baseball

With the exception of the batter and catcher, all team members are blind (wearing blindfolds if partially seeing). The bases beep when activated so that players know in which direction run.

Skiing

There are two ways to adapt skiing: the guide remains behind the skier or the guide precedes the skier. Either way the guide will use verbal instructions to guide the skier. There are lightweight portable amplification systems available to help the guide and skier communicate.

Running

People who are blind or visually impaired can run in all types of events, including track and field, marathons and races. Some may be able to run independently, while others can utilize sighted guides.

Swimming & Water Activities

Swimming and water sports can be good for children with physical disabilities who need full-body support or who want to work on building muscle strength in a non-weight-bearing way.

Deaf and Hearing Impaired Sports

There are so many sports that can be easily modified with the use of hearing devices or hand signals. Some are below, but if you want more ideas check out Supporting Success: For Children with Hearing Loss.

Skiing

Wearing hearing devices and having visual starting procedures such as red/yellow/green lights visible to all competitors will make it more inclusive for all.

Volleyball

Volleyball is already pretty accommodating. Using hand signals during the games between players, having a visual score board, and hand signals accompanying the whistle signals will make this more accessible.

Rugby

Due to the physical nature of the sport an ITE hearing aid with a soft canal is recommended for safety. Buddy system to relay coach messages as players are substituted or use of hand gestures

Softball

Using hand signals for each umpire call used by closed teammate on field or between coach/player

Field Hockey

Wearing hearing devices and FM for communication between player and coach during sideline discussions. Head gear may allow for use of hearing devices during play. Using hand gestures between players to communicate on the fi

Archery/Rifling

Using hearing devices and hearing protection will help protect the ear from any negative damage. Also, using red/yellow/green lights and knowing the firing range protocols is a must. Having a wrist vibrator is also a good idea when using either a rifle or a bow.