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What are adaptive sports and recreation programs?
Adaptive and accessible sports and recreation programs are recreational activities that are modified or designed to allow people with disabilities to participate. Almost any type of recreational activity can be adapted or made accessible for people with physical, visual, cognitive, or emotional disabilities.
Adaptive and accessible sports and recreation programs include a wide range of activities:
- indoor and outdoor
- cold weather and warm weather
- team and individual
- inclusive and disability-specific
- for children, for adults, for families
- for people with physical, intellectual, and/or emotional disabilities
- competitive and leisure
Adaptive and accessible programs give children and adults with disabilities the freedom to participate in mainstream activities, to gain self-confidence, and to develop physical abilities and social skills.
Am I eligible?
Many adaptive and accessible sports and recreation programs are open to everyone. Open programs customize their activities to meet the needs of participants, regardless of the type of disability.
Some programs are disability-specific. Disability-specific programs may limit participation to people with certain types of impairments.
You should check with the programs that interest you to see if they have any restrictions.
How much does it cost?
Many adaptive and accessible sports and recreation programs are free, but some charge fees. Financial aid, scholarships, or sliding fee scales are usually available for families and individuals who need assistance.
You should check with the programs that interest you to see if they charge fees. If they do, ask about financial assistance if you need help paying.
What programs are offered in the state parks and recreation areas?
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) oversees the state’s Universal Access Program. The Universal Access Program provides adaptive and/or accessible outdoor recreation programs for people of all abilities in state parks and recreation areas throughout Massachusetts.
Activities vary from park to park. Programs include adaptive skating, skiing, sledding, and bicycling; accessible beaches with beach wheelchairs; sensory nature walks; accessible trails, fishing sites, camping, and boating; and adventure games. All of the state outdoor swimming pools have pool lifts for accessibility.
For information about specific activities, visit the following DCR web site pages:
The DCR works together with nonprofit organizations to offer some of the state park adaptive recreation programs. (SeeAll Out Adventures below.)
Where can I find adaptive sports and recreation programs?
The Massachusetts Universal Access Program offers a wide range of activities in state parks and recreation areas.
Other adaptive sports and accessible recreation programs in Massachusetts include:
(Note: For additional programs, see Directories below)
Directories
Other Massachusetts adaptive and accessible sports and recreation programs are listed in the following directories:
- DisabilityInfo.org Sports and Recreation Directories
- Playgrounds: Accessible and Inclusive Playgrounds
Directory: Boundless Playgrounds
Directory: Accessible Playgrounds – MassachusettsAccessible and inclusive playgrounds are barrier-free playgrounds where children and adults of all abilities can play together.
- National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) – Massachusetts
Directory: Accessible Programs in MassachusettsPrograms are listed by town, or by keyword search. The NCPAD directory includes fitness programs, competitive and leisure sports, and other physical activities, with an emphasis on health benefits of physical activity.
- Spinal Cord Injury Association – Greater Boston Chapter
Directory: Recreation and Sports for People with DisabilitiesThis directory of adaptive programs for youth and adults with spinal cord injuries includes outdoor activities, high-challenge sports, wheelchair basketball, quad rugby, and many other sports and physical activities.
- Sports and Gyms, Winter and Summer Activities – Special Needs Resources for Massachusetts
Directory: Sports and Gyms Posts – Summer Programming – Winter ProgrammingSpecial Needs Resources for Massachusetts is an online resource for families of children with special needs, with a focus on autism resources in eastern Massachusetts. The Sports and Gyms, Summer Programming, and Winter Programming posts include a variety of current and seasonal sports and recreation programs.
- Therapeutic Horsemanship: PATH centers
Directory: PATH: Find a Center (select Massachusetts from drop-down list)PATH Therapeutic Horsemanship centers offer equine assisted activities and therapies to help children and adults with a range of physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. Activities include horseback riding, vaulting, and carriage driving. Financial assistance may be available.
Local YMCAs and ARC Chapters also offer adaptive and accessible recreation and sports programs for their members and the community.
What are the laws regarding adaptive and accessible sports and recreation?
The federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. In Recreation Access Rights Under the ADA, the National Center on Accessibility outlines some of the rights created by the ADA with respect to sports and recreation:
- right to the most integrated setting:
People with disabilities and those without disabilities should be able to participate in activities alongside each other to the maximum extent possible
- right to participate:
People with disabilities should be able to take part in any type of activity available to people without disabilities, as long as all essential eligibility requirements are met
- right to reasonable accommodations including adaptive equipment:
The provider of an activity must make reasonable adjustments to allow people with disabilities to participate
- right to an assessment or evaluation:
People with disabilities should not be prohibited from an activity due to a perceived safety risk without an evaluation of actual risk after accommodations
- no disparate impact:
Any change in rules or policies (for example, budget cuts) cannot have a greater impact on people with disabilities than people without disabilities
- same fees:
People with disabilities cannot be charged more than people without disabilities for inclusive activities, whether or not special accommodations have been made
- no substantial public support for discriminatory programs:
State and local governments cannot provide substantial support (e.g. free or reduced cost use of public facilities) to organizations that discriminate based on disability
- reasonable changes to rules and policies:
If a rule or policy change does not fundamentally change the nature of an activity and allows people with disabilities to participate in that activity, then the rule change should be allowed. This includes allowing disability-related unusual behaviors that do not pose a direct threat to participants.
Exceptions to the ADA rules can be made in three cases: if the accommodation costs too much; if the accommodation is too difficult to make; or if the accommodation fundamentally changes the nature of the activity.
The ADA rules apply to government facilities and programs, nonprofit organizations (such as YMCAs), and private organizations (such as health clubs and gyms). The only exempt organizations are private membership clubs and religious organizations.
Other ADA guidelines related to sports and recreation include:
