March 2024 Special Needs Living Magazine

Breaking Barriers & Building Dreams!

Adaptive Sports Ohio Empowers Through Inclusive Sports

Melissa Klatt with photos by Michelle Herdlick

Picture this a community where everyone, regardless of their physical or visual abilities, has a chance to play and shine through the power of sports. Enter Adaptive Sports Ohio, a beacon of warmth and inclusivity in Ohio, making dreams come true and barriers crumble. Through community-based sports, interscholastic sports, and their super-cool Everyone Plays Kits, they’re not just changing lives – they’re creating a family where everyone belongs.

COMMUNITY-BASED SPORTS: SPORTS FOR ALL, WHERE AGE IS JUST A NUMBER

Adaptive Sports Ohio doesn’t just organize sports; this organization creates communities. Their community-based sports programs are like a big sports family reunion, with locations scattered across Ohio. Whether you’re into wheelchair basketball, track and field, tennis, cycling, or power soccer, they’ve got something for everyone. It’s not about your age; it’s about the joy of playing together and celebrating victories, big or small.

INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS: WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL, TRANSFORMING SCHOOLS

Let’s talk about interscholastic sports – specifically, wheelchair basketball. It’s not just about the game; it’s about shaping futures. Adaptive Sports Ohio doesn’t stop at providing equipment; they’re in the trenches, training coaches and helping schools kickstart their own wheelchair basketball teams. From a small pilot program in 2015, they’ve bloomed into a full-fledged league with 13 teams in 2023-2024. Now, students with disabilities aren’t just watching from the sidelines; they’re scoring points, representing their schools, and making memories.

EVERYONE PLAYS KITS: MAKING PLAYTIME INCLUSIVE FOR ALL KIDS

Who says playtime is only for some? Adaptive Sports Ohio disagrees. They’ve rolled out the Everyone Plays Kits, a genius move to ensure kids in grades K-6 with physical disabilities or visual impairments get their fair share of playground fun. Imagine free kits with sports gear and activity cards, teaching kids the ropes of play. No more sidelines; it’s all about active participation and spreading smiles.

“Our dream is to let kids with physical disabilities across the state have a chance to play,” Lisa Followay, the powerhouse behind Adaptive Sports Ohio, beams excitedly.

They’ve rolled out the Everyone Plays Kits, a genius move to ensure kids in grades K-6 with physical disabilities or visual impairments get their fair share of playground fun.

Now, let’s talk championships! Adaptive Sports Ohio hosts the annual state wheelchair basketball championship – a stage where students with disabilities showcase not just their basketball skills but their spirit. Wooster has been rocking it with five consecutive state championships, but Austintown is gearing up for a slam dunk win in 2024. The 2024 championship will be hosted on March 9th at 5:00pm at the University of Akron’s JAR. It’s not just about winning; it’s about proving that interscholastic wheelchair basketball is the gamechanger these kids need. Through laughter, cheers, and a whole lot of heart, Adaptive Sports Ohio is tearing down walls, one sports event at a time.

What does Adaptive Sports Ohio do for you to take the first step in inquiring about this program for your school district? As the lead on this initiative, Adaptive Sports Ohio provides the following to school districts at no cost to ensure the program is successful:

• Management, implementation, and coaching of teams as needed by the school district.

• In-depth training to the district coach.

• Organization of the season schedule.

• Assistance to the athletic director for arranging home games.

• Specialized sport wheelchairs ($4,000 each) and a 6×12 enclosed trailer for transporting the chairs to competitions as needed.

• Ongoing equipment maintenance and repair.

• Quick access to staff support throughout the season.

• Rule implementation and league oversight.

• Track and record team and player statistics.

• Fund and host the annual state wheelchair basketball championship.

To dive into this world of inclusivity and learn how your school district can jump on the sports bandwagon, shoot a message to Adaptive Sports Ohio at info@adaptivesportsohio.org. Get ready to break barriers, make friends, and let the magic of sports touch every corner of Ohio!

If you are interested in learning more about this program for your loved one to participate in their school district, check out their informational video at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=0cCRF5Uk5Wo