It’s no secret that physical activity is essential to good health regardless of whether or not you have a disability. Adaptive sports are focused on cultivating a person’s ability and provide enjoyable, yet therapeutic, activities in a non-treatment setting.
Abilities Expo is honored to present a variety of interactive, health-enhancing, confidence-building adaptive sports. Come and test your skills and expand your experiences at the following fun events.
Test drive the Ainsley's Angels athletic ride-along experience! Created for anyone who would otherwise not be able to experience endurance events, Ainsley's Angels creates "Angel Teams" by pairing Athlete-riders with runners to compete in endurance events and road races. The Athlete rider is the core of the team and pulls the runner across the finish line with smiles, cheers and immeasurable inspirational spirit. Be sure to visit the Ainsley's Angels of America booth to sign up to experience the thrill TODAY! First-person-first-served. A limited number of race experience times are available on each day of the Expo.
Martial Arts Therapy offers emotional and spiritual support to children with disabilities or battling illness, and helps them to take an active role and become a partner in their own healing process. Students learn pain management, physical rehabilitation skills, and deep relaxation techniques. The program offers children a chance to play, laugh, make friends and enjoy life.
Golf is one of the most adaptable sports. Just about anyone, regardless of age or ability level, can play! Golf is adapted to various disabilities using the existing handicap system and adaptive devices. Discover the adaptive nature of sport at this demo. Enjoy hitting some balls, see adaptive equipment, and learn about golf's many benefits. Find out where you can play more in the region.
Competitive wheelchair rugby is one of the fastest growing wheelchair sports in the world. The New York Warriors will join us to demonstrate this exciting game - a cross between wheelchair basketball, ice hockey, and soccer. The main message of quad rugby is "Smashing Stereotypes One Hit at a Time" and the sport has proven to be a life changer for those who start playing it. Find out more at this demo and learn about opportunities to get involved for yourself.
Power Hockey is essentially floor hockey for power wheelchair users. The sport follows the rules and regulations of the United States Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association (USEWHA) and is open to all competent power wheelchair users. The Philadelphia Flyers Powerplay team is made up of about 30 players with various disabilities including Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, and Spinal Chord Injuries. There are no age restrictions and both male and female participants are welcome! Come watch a demo game, meet the players, families and see how they play!
Children of all physical disabilities and ages are encouraged to enjoy this chance to have fun and learn new skills at this inclusive program. Both manual and powered wheelchair users are welcome to play and hoops of modified heights are used. Try skills and drills, shooting, and some competitive play. The program builds good sportsmanship and teamwork, heightens self-esteem and encourages individuality.