Adaptive Sports Programs
From ballet to sled hockey, adaptive sports create opportunities for youth with physical disabilities and developmental differences to move, play, and thrive in ways that honor their individual strengths. Participation builds autonomy, confidence, and self-esteem throughout sports, recreation, and daily activities.
Occupational and Physical Therapists work with families to help youth with physical disabilities and/ or developmental differences to access sports and activities that build on their strengths, support skill development, and foster meaningful participation. Contact us via AdaptiveSports@CHOP.edu or explore this list of programs to find the right fit for your family.
This list represents just a selection of adaptive sports and recreational programs available in the greater Philadelphia region and nationwide. There may be additional programs in your community that are a better fit for your youth’s interests and abilities.
Adaptive Sports Programs
Baseball
Little League Challenger
The Little League Challenger is an adaptive baseball program for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges.
Contact:
challenger@littleleague.org
Miracle League
The Miracle league offers inclusive baseball, including spring and fall seasons, travel baseball, and clinics. There are teams in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Basketball
Katie’s Komets
Katie’s Komets is a wheelchair basketball team for youth with physical disabilities, from elementary school through high school in Philadelphia.
Contact:
610-489-4569
info@katieskomets.org
Top-of-the-Key
Top-Of-The-Key Basketball offers adaptive basketball for special needs athletes in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Contact:
basketball@playwra.com
Biking
iCan Shine
iCan Shine is an international charitable nonprofit organization. Through collaboration with local organizations and individuals, they conduct over 100 five-day iCan Bike programs in 32 states and four provinces in Canada, serving nearly 3,000 people with disabilities each year.
Contact:
Pennsylvania:
Matt and Kathryn
icanbikepa@gmail.com
New Jersey:
Karen Weidner
856-216-2127
karenw@camdencounty.com
Camps
Camp Cranium – Millville, PA
Summer camp for those 6-18 years old who have been diagnosed with an acquired or traumatic brain injury.
Contact:
info@campcranium.org
Cheerleading
BYC Spirit Cheer
Adaptive cheerleading program for children 5 and up to review cheer fundamentals and an adaptive routine. Registration is free. Located in Brandywine, PA.
Contact:
Coaches Emmy Johnson and Beth Uniacke
BYCspirit@gmail.com
Miracle League of Lehigh Valley
Cheerleading program for boys and girls of all ages to learn routines and perform in between innings. Each participant receives a cheer jersey and pom poms!
Contact:
610-769-2096
info@miracleleaguelv.org
South Jersey Storm Twisters
- Any age
- No restrictions
- Must attend tryouts before commitment
- Typically on Monday nights; Optional Thursday night available
- Sewell, NJ
Contact:
856-401-8111
Spartans Angles
Accessible cheer squad for boys and girls ages 5-15 with different abilities. This program is within Sideline Cheering with Plymouth Whitemarsh Spartans. This program is free of charge and there are no residency requirements.
Contact:
Laurie McCall
Dance
Philadelphia Studio Ballet
Dance Enrichment classes are specifically designed for students with cognitive and developmental differences.
Contact:
339-345 W. Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA
610-525-7151
info@philadelphiastudioballet.com
Rhythmic Arts
Rhythmic Arts offers Bollywood dance classes that combine elements of classical Indian dance, folk styles and global movement styles. Two locations in New Jersey offer special needs dance and yoga classes.
Fitness Programs
The following programs are offered through West Chester University’s Department of Kinesiology.
Adapted Lifetime Fitness Program
The goal of the Adapted Lifetime Fitness Program is to help adults with cognitive disabilities improve their cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and group comradery. This program also has a nutrition component in which WCU nutrition majors and faculty develop nutrition education programming. This is a joint program between the APA minors, exercise science minors and nutrition minors.
Contact:
EFoster@WCUPA.edu
The Adapted Physical Activity Wednesday Night Program
The APA Wednesday Night Program has been a mainstay at West Chester University for 30 years. The program runs for 8 weeks in both the gym and pool. The fall semester focuses on adapted sport while the spring semester focuses on adapted physical education and adapted swimming.
CampAbilitiesPA@WCU
WCU provides a developmental sports program for school-age children who have visual impairments including blindness or low vision. PEID minors teach activities such as tandem biking, goalball, beep baseball, swimming, triathlon, and track and field over the Memorial Day Weekend.
Contact:
CampAbilitiesPA@gmail.com
Horseback Riding
Horse Sense Therapeutic Riding
- Any diagnosis
- Age depends on medical provider, prefer MD approval to start
- Howell, NJ
Contact:
732-910-7855
horsesensenj@verizon.net
Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy
Offers both group and private lessons, a PEACE autism program, and a summer program.
Contact:
215-742-1500
teresa@pegasusphilly.org
Rein Dancer
Offers classes, social groups, and camps.
- PATH Certified
- New Egypt, NJ
Contact:
609-752-0900
Reins of Life Therapeutic Riding
Equestrian Therapy. Offers a sibling program for family bonding. Located in Landenberg, PA.
Contact:
610-247-3300
judy@reinsoflife.com
Rocking Horse Rehab
Offers adaptive horseback riding instruction for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
- Must be a resident of Somerset County, NJ
- Must be 9 years and older
- Programs offered in fall and spring
Contact:
256 S. Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge, NJ
973-731-8588
info@rockinghorserehab.com
Shadow Equestrian
- Certified by PATH International
- Ages 2-12 or <100 pounds
- Monroeville, NJ
Contact:
856-694-4034
shawdoweq@verizon.net
Special Strides
- Multi-disciplinary therapy clinic and equine center providing equine assisted activities and therapy
- Facility offers a variety of options including PT, OT, occupational health, mental health, adaptive horseback riding, adaptive carriage driving, experiential learning and equine facilitated learning
- Monroe, NJ
Contact:
information@specialstrides.com
Unicorn Therapeutic Riding
Unicorn Therapeutic Riding is a non-profit organization that offers adaptive riding and para-dressage in New Jersey.
Contact:
Erin Hurley, OTR/L
609-354-2014
erin@unicornriding.com
Martial Arts
Princeton Martial Arts Center
PMAC in Princeton, New Jersey offers guidance and accommodations to help youth engage confidently in all classes, including specialized options.
Sled Hockey
Atlantic Hammerheads - NE Philadelphia, PA
Sled hockey is an adaptive sport that allows people with physical disabilities to skate and play hockey. Hammerheads Sled Hockey Team provides adaptive hockey for youth and adult players who would never have the chance to play ice hockey due to a physical disability. Players have a variety of physical challenges, including cerebral palsy, amputations, spinal cord injuries, and various muscle diseases.
Contact:
Kate Grum
president@hammerheads.hockey
Bennett Blazers - Baltimore, MD
Sled hockey is an adaptive sport that allows people with physical disabilities to skate and play hockey. Bennett Blazers Sled Hockey Team provides adaptive hockey for youth and adult players who would never have the chance to play ice hockey due to a physical disability. Players have a variety of physical challenges, including cerebral palsy, amputations, spinal cord injuries, and various muscle diseases. Bennett Blazers also provide a variety of other adaptive sports opportunities.
Contact:
Gerry Herman
443-923-7844
herman@kennedykrieger.org
DC Sled Sharks - Arlington, VA
NRH in association with USA Disabled Hockey offers developmental and competitive opportunities for children interested in the exciting sport of sled hockey.
Contact:
Elizabeth Parker
elizabeth.v.parker@medstar.net
Palmyra Sled Hockey Club - Palmyra, PA
The Palmyra Black Knights are youth and adults who have a physical disability limiting their ability to skate in a standing position. Most players (but not all) can propel their manual wheelchair and sit upright with or without back support.
Contact:
Sal Montagna
smontagna13@comcast.net
Weisman Sled Stars - Sewell, NJ
Provides an opportunity for players who would never have the chance to play ice hockey due to a physical disability. Players have a variety of physical challenges, including cerebral palsy, amputations, spinal cord injuries, and various muscle diseases.
Contact:
Lisa Oates
loates@verizon.net
Wings of Steel - Voorhees, NJ
Sled hockey is an adaptive sport that allows people with physical disabilities to skate and play hockey. Wings of Steel provides adaptive hockey for youth and adult players who would never have the chance to play ice hockey due to a physical disability. Players have a variety of physical challenges, including cerebral palsy, amputations, spinal cord injuries and various muscle diseases. We charge no roster fee for the youth program, and it is our goal to continue this. We practice at Flyers Training Center in Voorhees, NJ.
Contact:
Lori Brake
856-261-8731
sjsledhockey@hotmail.com
WSF New York Sled Rangers - New York, NY
A sled hockey program for youth with physical disabilities, ages 5 to 21. This program helps children increase independence, develop self-esteem, and grow their self-confidence through something as simple as playing sports.
Contact:
info@wsfsledrangers.org
Soccer
CP Soccer
CP Soccer is a soccer league for children with ambulatory cerebral palsy, stroke or traumatic brain injury. There is an established team in New Jersey.
Special Stars
YMS Special Stars is a soccer program in Pennsylvania designed for children and young adults with special needs.
Contact:
267-386-3360
admin@ymssoccer.net
TOPSoccer
TOPSoccer (The Outreach program for Soccer) is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with special needs. The program is designed and administered by US Youth Soccer. TOPSoccer is a modified version of the game of soccer, designed to provide opportunities for special needs children ages 4 to 19. It provides a very affordable opportunity for fitness, fun and building self-esteem. Modifications are made to the game to allow full participation and enjoyment to each child.
Contact:
directory@topsoccer.us
Special Olympics
Special Olympics is a global sports organization that provides sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for youth with intellectual disabilities.
New Jersey
Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ) offers 22 Olympic-style sports and health programs to athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Pennsylvania
Special Olympics Pennsylvania has 54 county and city programs within nine regions across Pennsylvania that run year-round athletic training and competitions for athletes of all ages at no cost to the participants.
Contact:
610-630-9450
northwest@specialolympicspa.org
Philadelphia
Special Olympics Philadelphia offers 11 Olympic-type individual and team sports to athletes with intellectual disabilities in Philadelphia.
Sports and Recreation Centers
Athletes with Disabilities Network (ADN)
ADN's mission is to promote a better quality of life for people with physical disabilities by creating awareness and offering opportunities to get involved with athletic, recreational and educational activities nationwide.
Programs include:
- Mentoring and Outreach Program
- SportsAbility Regional Adaptive Sports Program
- Adaptive Sports Coalition
Contact:
Brandon Holiday, Program Director
11 South Harvard Ave, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
bholiday@adnpage.org
Bennett Blazers Ambulatory Sports - Baltimore, MD
Offers sports seasonally for participants who ambulate with an assistive device.
Contact:
Gerry Herman
443-923-7844
herman@kennedykrieger.org
Carousel House Recreation Center
Carousel House provides socialization, recreational, and educational services to persons with disabilities who reside throughout the Philadelphia area. Our primary purpose is to provide a program that contributes in a positive way to the mental, physical, social, cultural and emotional growth and development of persons with disabilities through recreational programs.
Activities include swimming (recreational and instructional), music, dance, athletics, arts and crafts, ceramics, summer day camp, martial arts, and so much more. Special events include bingo parties, social dances with disc jockeys, track meets, picnics, holiday celebrations, athletic tournaments, carnivals, and the Carousel Ball.
Contact:
215-685-0160
carouselpa@aol.com
High Expectations — North and Central New Jersey
High Expectations, Inc. provides individuals with developmental disabilities and their families access to athletic, recreational and social activities to supplement their educational and vocational training. Activities have included trips and/or participation at various events, including Luau, Spring Fling, Movie Night, Craft Night, Game Night, Globetrotters, Knicks, Jackals, Seton Hall Basketball, Trenton Thunder, Rutgers, and more.
Contact:
Diane
732-259-0126
highexpectinc@gmail.com
KATZ Jewish Community Center – Cherry Hill, NJ
Includes programs for adaptive fitness, art, basketball, cooking & nutrition, music, social group, and swim team.
Contact:
856-424-4444
Matthew Lever — mlever@jfedsnj.org
Nina Staiman — nstaiman@jfedsnj.org
The Mary Campbell Center – Wilmington, DE
The Children and Youth Program offers unique activities for children with special needs, ages 3 to 21, and their families. The program improves the social and recreational skills of the participants through play, while promoting independence, self-esteem and growth. We strive to promote positive peer interaction, physical development, creative expression, problem solving and teamwork. Programs include: clubs, young tots, swim lessons, Teens Special Olympics, recreational fun days, spring fling and other family events.
Contact:
Karleen O’Brien
302-762-3025, ext. 153
kobrien@marycampbellcenter.org
PA Center for Adapted Sports
The PA Center for Adapted Sports serves 500 individuals with disabilities annually, including veterans and active duty military personnel. Ranging in age from 4 to 74, 95 percent of the population the center serves has permanent physical disabilities. The center provides specialized equipment and makes adaptations where necessary.
Programs include: rowing, cycling, skiing, kayaking, sailing and climbing.
Contact:
Jeff McGinnis
215-765-5118
jeff.mcginnis@centeronline.com
Princeton Recreation Department
Princeton Recreation Department offers adaptive programs throughout the year ranging from yoga to sports clinics.
Contact:
380 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
609-921-9480
Team IMPACT
Team IMPACT matches children facing serious medical illness and disability with college sports teams to add to the family’s support system and help children experience sports. There are college sports teams participating in all 50 states.
Contact:
Elise Keels
267-570-6106
ekeels@teamimpact.org
Navigators Adaptive Sports
Provide training and competitive athletic opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities. The club creates a community for all athletes.
Contact:
908-325-5052
Swimming
Sunsational Swim School
Lessons to children of varying abilities. Multiple locations throughout South NJ, Philadelphia and PA.
Tennis
ACEing Autism
ACEing Autism is a national organization that helps children thrive in the sport of tennis. There are community programs in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Contact:
info@aceingautism.org
Wheelchair Sports
Offered at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital
Wheelchair hockey
The Philadelphia Flyers PowerPlay is a power wheelchair floor hockey team based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
Wheelchair racing
Magee sponsors members of the wheelchair racing community in local races, including the Philadelphia Marathon, Rothman 8K and Broad Street Run.
Wheelchair rugby
Magee Eagles Quad Rugby is as competitive as it is intense! Players collide, literally, as the teams of four scramble to push a volleyball down a basketball court through their opponents zone and across the goal line.
Wheelchair tennis
Wheelchair tennis is a brilliant adaptation to an incredible game. Almost nothing is changed from the rules of able-bodied Tennis. Athletes use the same courts, racquets, and balls to compete; the only modification is a rule allowing a second bounce before a person in a wheelchair must return the ball.
Contact:
Magee’s Wheelchair Sports Coordinator
215-587-3412
sports@mageerehab.org
Yoga
Yoga Home
Yoga Home offers classes for individuals 16 years and older living with mobility disabilities. Students who do and do not use wheelchairs and students who are verbal and non-verbal are also welcome to join. Individuals who typically require help with transfers and other activities of daily living may benefit from having a caregiver attend class with them to support their process.
Contact:
484-344-5040
info@ouryogahome.com
Listen to our podcast episode
Adaptive hockey opens the door to inclusion, confidence, and lifelong friendships, especially through sled hockey, a fast-paced Paralympic sport played on standard ice with specialized equipment.
In this episode, Lori Kile, PTA III shares her extensive experience in adaptive hockey, discussing its impact on players and families, the power of community, and why getting involved, whether as an athlete, parent, or volunteer, can be truly life-changing.
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