Mid-Atlantic Adaptive Sports Programs

We’re expanding! We started out with national and local (to us) organizations in New England, but we aim to advertise resources all around the country! This is a work in progress so we want to hear from you. Contact us to add your favorite organizations to the list or let us know if yoea!

Adaptive Sports Resources

Mid-Atlantic

Adaptive Climbing Group New York

NYC, Valhalla, Poughkeepsie – NY

“A.C.G. New York runs Sunday and Thursday evening clinics in Brooklyn Boulders-Brooklyn and Tuesday sessions in Queensbridge. In addition to weekly sessions, they also host monthly sessions in Valhalla, New York; in The Cliffs of Valhalla climbing facility. If you are a hospital, rehabilitation centered, or disabled group centered organization we can also host a clinic for you in the Tri-state area. Email us at: acgny@bkbf.org


Adaptive Sports Foundation

Windham, NY

“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.”


Bennett Blazers

Baltimore, MD

Kennedy Krieger’s Physically Challenged Sports Program is home to the Bennett Blazers. Bennett provides year round, weekly exercise and sports programs for children with predominately physical disabilities. Bennett is located in Baltimore, but serves over a hundred children per year from Maryland, southern Pennsylvania and northern DC suburbs. The program focuses on developing abilities in very young children (about 2 years old and up) as well as providing competitive sports on a Paralympic model for older athletes.”


Burke Rehabilitation Hospital Adaptive Sports & Fitness

White Plains, NY

Burke Rehabilitation Hospital encourages people of all abilities to take part in physical activities to help maintain their health and foster inclusion. The adaptive sports and recreation programs offered by Burke are modified to meet the abilities of adults living in the community with a physical medicine diagnosis such as brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, cardiopulmonary, orthopedic, or other neurological issues. 

Through our Therapeutic Recreation Department, Burke provides opportunities for participation and training in the following Sports & Recreation activities:  Archery; Boxing; Bowling; Dance; Field Events; Golf; Handcycling; Hiking; Kayaking; Off-Road Driving; Pickleball; Rock Climbing; Snow Skiing; Water Skiing; Yoga; Zumba.   Prior experience is not required and the programs are offered at no charge.

Interested participants are required to register with the Therapeutic Recreation Department at (914) 597-2497.


CNY United

Liverpool, NY

“Power soccer is the first competitive team sport developed and designed specifically for wheelchair users. CNY United is based out of Syracuse, NY and is a part of the United States Power Soccer Association (USPSA). Our team has to travel extensively throughout the country to remain competitive. Athletes’ disabilities include quadriplegia, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and many others. The game is played in a gymnasium on a regulation basketball court. Two teams of four players attack, defend, and spin-kick a 13-inch soccer ball in a skilled and challenging game. We practice every Friday nights from 6:30-8:30pm at East Syracuse Elementary. So come check us out!”

CNY United is one of the top power soccer teams in the country, competing in the top-tier Premier Conference of US Power Soccer.


Delaware Valley Sled Hockey League

Delaware Valley Sled Hockey is a program of the Delaware Valley Hockey League. Four teams compete each winter leading up to a championship in March. Look back at previous results and get ready for upcoming seasons!


Greater Buffalo Adaptive Sports

Buffalo, NY

“Greater Buffalo Adaptive Sports’ mission is to provide opportunity for individuals with disabilities to participate in adaptive sports and, through this participation, develop the social, emotional and physical confidence necessary to become leaders in the community.”

Greater Buffalo Adaptive Sports was formerly known as the Sled Hockey Foundation.


Helen Hayes Hospital

West Haverstraw, NY

“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. Leisure opportunities are an important component of an active and healthy lifestyle, fostering rehabilitation, recovery and camaraderie, and the Adapted Sports & Rec Program is dedicated to offering a range of recreational and competitive events. The program reaches out to current and former patients, as well as individuals living in the community who may be interested in trying out a new activity or resuming a sport or activity they may have enjoyed prior to acquiring a disability. Prior experience is not required to participate in any activity. All activities are supervised by experienced staff, including recreational and physical therapists, taking into account individual needs and abilities.”

Helen Hayes Hospital hosts many adaptive sports programs including power soccer, snow and water skiing, and wheelchair basketball alongside an adapted video game center and accessible gardening.


Higher Ground

Buffalo, NY

“Back in 1999, we were really good at one thing: teaching locals with disabilities how to use adaptive skis. It took special equipment, understanding, and really, really remarkable coaches.

Today, we still take to the mountain with our locals, but now our special equipment and special coaches transforms lives across the country. From the hiking trails of western New York to the mountaintops of Idaho to the surf of Los Angeles, we are deploying the nation’s top recreational therapists and mental health professionals to give people of all abilities (especially our nation’s veterans) the emotional and social tools they need to feel like they belong.”

Higher Ground teaches rock climbing, fishing, kayaking, and more out of their western New York location alongside programs in Los Angeles, California and Sun Valley, Idaho where they started out.


Long Island Sled Hockey RoughRiders

Lynbrook, NY

“To foster, promote and encourage sportsmanship, teamwork and camaraderie through the sport of sled hockey, specifically aimed at a juvenile and adolescent population of physically and/or mentally challenged athletes.

Inherent in that goal is the development of a sense of self-esteem, pride and friendship within this population. Long Island Sled Hockey, Inc. also focuses on the development and nurturing of positive attitudes in and outside the Long Island community toward those with physical and/or mental handicapping conditions.”

Faith Lee and the RoughRiders also host The Sled Files, a podcast “featuring the challenges and triumphs of disabled athletes.”


Magee Rehabilitation Wheelchair Sports

Philadelphia, PA

“Magee’s wheelchair sports programs heighten independence and improve quality-of-life. Getting involved with Magee’s sports programs helps people with disabilities reach for personal health and wellness goals. The Think First injury prevention program visits area schools and community centers to teach children and young adults prevention by “thinking first” in order to avoid permanent brain and spinal cord injuries.”


Medstar National Rehabilitation Hospital Adaptive Sports and Fitness

Washington DC

“The Adaptive Sports & Fitness Program at MedStar NRH helps to maximize participation for individuals with disabilities in recreational and competitive sports. Through these programs, participants are able to build self-confidence, improve health and well-being, and gain greater independence.

Our programs are open to anyone with a physical disability at no cost. We provide coaching, training, equipment and travel assistance in 9 sports. We provide circuit training, open gym and cardio fitness classes both at the hospital and in the community. We also host adaptive sports tournaments and special events throughout the year. Our coaching staff, personal trainers and volunteers are highly qualified, well trained and ready to assist you.”


Bayonne, NJ

“NASC is a volunteer-driven nonprofit that creates weekly, multi-sport programs for children and young adults with disabilities.”

Navigators trains adaptive athletes in Swimming, Archery, Track & Field, and Powerlifting including competitive athletes as part of their Paralympic Sport Club.


NOVA Cool Cats Special Hockey Team

Arlington, VA

“Special Hockey Northern Virginia exists for the enrichment of the athlete with a developmental disability.  In addition to physical hockey skills, the program emphasizes the development of desirable individual characteristics such as dependability, self-reliance, concentration, willingness to share and personal accountability.  The game of hockey is used by Special Hockey Northern Virginia to develop within each player the characteristics that will help the player to be more successful both inside and outside a hockey environment. Male and females of all ages are welcome.”


Sportable

Richmond, VA

“Since 2005, Sportable has been providing sport and recreational opportunities to those with physical and visual disabilities throughout central Virginia. During that time we have executed thousands of program hours, purchased and provided adaptive sports equipment for hundreds of athletes, and created community partnerships that have enhanced the lives of those with physical and visual disabilities living in our community.”

  • Sportable offers over a dozen adult and youth sport programs year-round including Power Soccer, Swimming, and Wheelchair Laccrosse.
  • In 2020, Sportable started “The Sportable Podcast” featuring interviews with adaptive athletes and community members.


STRIDE Adaptive Sports

Capital Region, NY

“To build a community with equal opportunity and access for sport and recreational activities. No one should be left behind because of a disability! STRIDE believes it is possible to remove boundaries, fulfill dreams, enhance self-esteem, and empower youth with disabilities through participation in sport and recreational activities.”

  • STRIDE runs over 20 adaptive sports and recreational programs including archery, dance, golf, and ski & snowboard.
  • STRIDE also hosts several major events throughout the year such as the 100K Vertical Challenge, STRIDE Wounded Warrior Snowfest, and the STRIDE Great Race


Wintergreen Adaptive Sports

Roseland, VA

“Wintergreen Adaptive Sports focuses on safety, fun, and learning. It is an independent 501c3 non-profit based at Wintergreen Resort in Nelson County, Virginia. WAS is a Chapter of Disabled Sports USA and a Paralympic sports club.”

WAS offers winter sports, including several forms of skiing and snowboarding, as well as canoeing and kayaking in the summer.

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