Research shows daily physical activity raises self-esteem, helps individuals develop peer relationships, increases achievement, enhances overall health and improves quality of life.
Find Local Sports Opportunities
If you’re just starting out in a sport, you can play with friends and family. If you’d like to become more involved, you can find a sports program near you. You can participate in a local adaptive sports program, a typical sports program or both.
Tips for Local Sports Opportunities
Options for local sporting opportunities include:
- Local Parks and Recreation programs
- Your local middle school or high school
- Community sports clubs – search online by typing in the name of your city or state, the name of the sport, and the word “club” or “team”
- List of local Paralympic Sports Clubs
- Find an adaptive program near you
Article on High School Track & Field: So You Want to be a High School Track and Field Athlete
Competitions
You can compete in local competitions through local organizations.
You can compete at Regional Meets if they host your sport. WASUSA provides a list of sanctioned regional events in the US.
Training
Your local club, team or school may have team coaches. You can hire a coach for one-on-one instruction. Network with other parents in your local sports organization, the regional adaptive sports programs and the CHASA Athletes Facebook group to locate a coach.
Funding
Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association Scholarships
Challenged Athletes Foundation – distributes need-based grants yearly to help athletes with disabilities train or compete in their sport. There is an application deadline, so check the details.
