We all need time to enjoy life, by participating in activities or being fans, on the stage or part of the audience. Most of us do some of both. We maintain physical health through exercise and movement; we maintain mental health through enjoying activities we love and being with others who share our appreciation and enthusiasm. There are activities for teams, for groups of people, and activities we can do on our own.
The important thing is being involved in something that gives you pleasure. For the most part, publically funded recreation centers, fitness centers, and sports facilities are accessible, as are many private facilities. Theaters, stadiums, music halls, museums and parks are usually accessible. In some instances you may be seeking information on accessibility and accommodations and looking for programs designed specifically for individuals with disabilities.
The following is a list of specialized resources serving individuals with disabilities to help you find your passion and get involved in enjoying your leisure time.
Please let us know of any additional resources you think should be added to this list by sending an email to familysupport@aed.org
Special Olympics
For people with disabilities of all ages, Special Olympics offers the opportunity to become an athlete and compete in athletic events all over the country.
http://www.specialolympics.org/athletes.aspx
Disabled Sports USA
This group offers nationwide sports rehabilitation programs to anyone with a permanent disability, and has a special focus on wounded veterans. Activities include winter skiing, water sports, summer and winter competitions, fitness and special sports events. http://www.dsusa.org/
National Sports Center for the Disabled
The mission of the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) is to provide quality outdoor sports and therapeutic recreation programs that positively impact the lives of people with physical, cognitive, emotional, or behavioral challenges.
http://www.nscd.org/
Paralympics
U.S. Paralympics is a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee. They offer international competition and training for sports enthusiasts with physical disabilities.
http://usparalympics.org/
Challenged Athletes Foundation
They provide funding to athletes across the country. CAF’s mission is to give those with the desire to live active, competitive lifestyles every opportunity to compete in the sports they love.
http://www.challengedathletes.org/
National Alliance for Accessible Golf
The Alliance promotes the game of golf for persons with disabilities. This website provides lots of advice on accommodations and adaptations.
http://www.accessgolf.org/
National Center on Accessibility
The place to go for information on accessibility unique to park and recreation programs and facilities.
http://www.ncaonline.org/
National Beep Ball Association
Beep ball provides adaptive baseball for blind and visually impaired players. Beep Ball is available for both adults and children.
http://www.nbba.org/index.htm
Little League - Challenger Division
The Challenger Division offers children with physical and intellectual disabilities, ages 5-18 or the completion of high school the opportunity to be on a baseball team.
http://www.littleleague.org/learn/about/divisions/challenger.htm
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Common Ground Outdoor Adventures
Come to this site to learn more about outdoor recreational opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities.
http://www.cgadventures.org/
GORP
This website provides lists of opportunities for travel, visiting national parks, outdoor adventure, camping and more with detailed information on accessibility. http://gorp.away.com/gorp/eclectic/disabled.htm
Outward Bound
Outward Bound offers outdoor adventure for individuals and groups. The Open Enrollment programs accept everyone as long as participation doesn’t require substantial accommodation or participation creates too much of a risk to the participant. Group programs have more latitude and can accommodate a wider range of abilities. They often receive requests from pre-formed groups to design a program for them – such as a deaf/hard of hearing course which is offered.
www.outwardbound.org
U.S. Sailing
Visit this website for information about sailing for people with a variety of disabling conditions.
http://www.ussailing.org/swsn/
International Association for Disabled Sailing
Come here for news and events around the world for sailors with disabilities, both youth and adults.
http://www.sailing.org/disabled/index.php
Able Flight
Flying instruction for people with disabilities.
http://www.ableflight.org/
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Gardening and Hobbies
This website provides a list of articles and information on pastimes and hobbies that are accessible to persons with disabilities.
http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/hobby.shtml
Enabled Gardening
Learn about enabled gardens, that is, any landscape, garden, patio or greenhouse space designed around the needs of someone who is physically, developmentally, or psychologically unable to tend to a traditional garden.
http://www.garden-fountains.com/enabled-gardening.html
Discover Leisure
This online resource for children was designed to assist you in understanding and further appreciating the value and importance of leisure in the life of your child.
http://www.indiana.edu/~nca/leisureed/
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Inclusive Fitness Coalition
The Inclusive Fitness Coalition looks at a range of issues around exercise and health for people of all ages with disabilities.
http://incfit.org/
The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
NCPAD is an information center concerned with physical activity and disability to provide individuals with options and information to help you pursue whatever kind of activity you think you would enjoy. Check the website for listings by state.
http://www.ncpad.org/
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Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project
The Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project is a partnership between Disabled Sports USA, its chapters and the Wounded Warrior Project, providing year round sports programs for severely wounded service members from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflict and the Global War on Terrorism.
http://www.dsusa.org/programs-wwdsp-about.html
Paralyzed Veterans of America - Sports and Recreation
PVA expands opportunities in sports and recreation for veterans with disabilities as well as for others.
http://www.pva.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sports_main&s_src=Google
Outward Bound programs for Veterans
Numerous wilderness adventures exclusively for war veterans, free of charge. These adventures are designed to help participating veterans build a supportive community with other war veterans; facilitate discussions on readjustment and transition challenges; and re-energize and reinvigorate our veterans' spirits with adventures and challenges in the beautiful outdoors.
http://www.outwardbound.org/index.cfm/do/cp.veterans
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National Arts and Disability Center (NADC)
NADC promotes the full inclusion of audiences and artists with disabilities into all facets of the arts community. Information is aimed at artists with disabilities, arts organizations, museums, arts administrators, disability organizations and agencies, performing arts organizations, art centers, universities, arts educators, and students.
http://nadc.ucla.edu/
Art Promote
For a listing of organizations supporting artists with disabilities, check out Art Promote.
http://www.artpromote.com/disabled.shtml
VSA Arts
Come to VSA for equal access to the arts for everyone. This website can connect you to programs and classes in every state.
http://www.vsarts.org/
American Dance Wheels Foundation
American Dance Wheels is an artistic organization that trains individuals with disabilities, their able-bodied partners, ballroom dance teachers and occupational and physical therapists the art of Wheelchair Ballroom and Latin Dancing.
http://www.americandancewheels.org/
Wheelchair Dancesport
This organization supports the growth of wheelchair dance throughout the US.
http://www.wheelchairdancesportusa.org/ABOUT_US/ABOUT_US.html
Casting for Disabled Actors
Casting for Disabled Actors is a non-profit casting agency that works with disabled Actors and Actresses to put them into acting roles in both film and television.
http://www.castingfordisabledactors.org/
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