Milestones Magazine Special Sports Issue 2023
Special sports issue about adaptive/inclusive sports programs across the country for individuals with disabilities & their families.
Special sports issue about adaptive/inclusive sports programs across the country for individuals with disabilities & their families.
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Summer <strong>Issue</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
BASKETBALL<br />
SCUBA DIVING<br />
TRACK & FIELD<br />
SWIMMING<br />
TENNIS<br />
BASEBALL<br />
Golf<br />
SOCCER<br />
FISHING<br />
ADVENTURE<br />
SPECIAL SPORTS ISSUE
SPECIAL SPORTS ISSUE<br />
WELCOME<br />
Publisher<br />
Susie Redfern is the parent of a young adult on the Autism Spectrum. She developed <strong>Milestones</strong><br />
<strong>Magazine</strong> to help individuals with disabilities and their families achieve and celebrate events<br />
and milestones in their lives. info@milestonesmagazine.net / <strong>Milestones</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net<br />
1
Table<br />
Of Content<br />
Summer is often the time for more<br />
leisure and recreation. Family vacations,<br />
lazy days at the local pool, team sports<br />
leagues, and more. These typical events<br />
of summer can be more difficult for<br />
people with challenges due to physical,<br />
sensory, cognitive, or behavioral issues.<br />
<strong>Milestones</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> is pleased to address<br />
this with our special issue of the magazine,<br />
which samples adaptive/inclusive sports<br />
programs across the country. Whether your<br />
interest is in water sports such as sailing or<br />
scuba diving, or team sports on land such<br />
as soccer or baseball, you can find an<br />
article here about it. We also focus on<br />
learning to swim/water safety, which<br />
can be an essential survival skill.<br />
We are also pleased to announce our<br />
Rewards Program initiative, through<br />
which members can receive our resource<br />
lists of programs/services in your state<br />
that serve people with challenges in all<br />
aspects of their lives. Please check out our<br />
announcement page in this issue for details.<br />
BASKETBALL 3<br />
SCUBA DIVING 5<br />
TRACK & FIELD 6<br />
SWIMMING 7<br />
TENNIS 11<br />
BASEBALL 13<br />
SOCCER 15<br />
Golf 17<br />
FISHING 19<br />
ADVENTURE 21<br />
2
BASKETBALL<br />
People with divergent abilities often have<br />
a difficult (at best) time participating in<br />
recreational activities on an equal footing with<br />
peers. With their competitive nature (not to<br />
mention rules), team sports are a unique<br />
“bridge too far” for people with developmental,<br />
cognitive, and sensory challenges.<br />
<strong>Milestones</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> is pleased to present this<br />
rundown of organizations that provide adaptive<br />
basketball.<br />
Challenged Athletes Foundation provides grants<br />
to athletes to cover the costs of equipment and<br />
other necessities for them to participate in sports.<br />
“Since 1994, CAF has raised more than $159M and<br />
funded over 44,000 grant requests from people<br />
with physical disabilities in all 50 states and 70<br />
countries across 104+ sports.”<br />
Among the projects in which CAF is involved<br />
is a Wheelchair Basketball Training Zone in<br />
collaboration with the National Wheelchair<br />
Basketball Association. This offers athletes a<br />
comprehensive training video library, support<br />
through CAF’s annual grant program to obtain<br />
a basketball wheelchair, and information on<br />
local adaptive sports groups that have<br />
wheelchair basketball teams and host<br />
tournaments.<br />
“The Bankshot <strong>Sports</strong> Organization offers<br />
many different family sports, which are nonaggressive<br />
by design. Bankshot <strong>Sports</strong> are<br />
characterized as Total-Mix inclusion based on<br />
Universal Design. Bankshot Playcourts is unique<br />
as a drop-in, walk-on family sport, leaving<br />
no one marginalized to the sidelines.”<br />
“The court is designed to have players shoot<br />
at an angle. It also has a series of uniquely<br />
shaped backboards and hoops placed at<br />
8 feet. The Bankshot Court helps those playing<br />
with confidence, self-competitiveness, and<br />
integration. Gary, using a wheelchair, Larry’s two<br />
kids with autism, Richard with mobility limitations,<br />
and a 90-year-old grandfather are provided<br />
with spontaneous “whenever” participation,<br />
challenging for all ages.”<br />
Bankshot courts are used at various locations<br />
throughout the U.S., such as municipal or park<br />
district recreational facilities.<br />
SPECIAL SPORTS ISSUE<br />
The <strong>Special</strong> Olympics Unified <strong>Sports</strong>®<br />
program (including basketball) “promotes<br />
social inclusion through shared sports<br />
training and competition experiences.<br />
It joins people with and without intellectual<br />
disabilities who play and compete on<br />
the same team. It was inspired by a simple<br />
principle: training together and playing<br />
together is the quickest path to friendship<br />
and understanding.”<br />
3
SHOOTING HOOPS<br />
Great Lakes Adaptive <strong>Sports</strong> Association<br />
(GLASA), based in Lake Forest, IL, includes<br />
wheelchair basketball among the programs<br />
available to members. Wheelchair basketball is for<br />
individuals with varying physical disabilities that<br />
prevent them from playing competitive stand-up<br />
basketball. They do not have to be wheelchair<br />
users off the court. GLASA membership is open<br />
to “Youth, Teens, and Adults with Wheelchair,<br />
Ambulatory, and Visual Impairments.”<br />
National Wheelchair Basketball Association<br />
has co-ed teams at the junior (age 5 & up) and adult<br />
levels and a Women’s Division. “The NWBA selects<br />
and develops the U.S.A. Paralympic teams.” Teams<br />
are available throughout the U.S.<br />
Adaptive <strong>Sports</strong> Iowa includes youth wheelchair<br />
basketball, adapted for those with physical disabilities<br />
(though not necessarily everyday wheelchair users).<br />
Adaptive <strong>Sports</strong> Iowa has organized the Grizzlies Youth<br />
Wheelchair Basketball team.
Scuba diving is popular for many reasons: people are<br />
interested in finding or exploring what lies under the sea,<br />
whether that is wildlife such as fish, coral reefs, or ship<br />
wreckages.<br />
People with disabilities struggle to participate in many<br />
sports and recreational activities, including scuba diving.<br />
<strong>Milestones</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> is pleased to present a rundown of<br />
organizations that provide adaptive diving.<br />
Diveheart Foundation: Diveheart Foundation is a leader in<br />
providing Adaptive Scuba training, bringing adaptive divers,<br />
buddies, and instructors “the latest most innovative program<br />
in the industry.” With their adaptive scuba adventure trip,<br />
“Diveheart gives adaptive divers and buddies a wide variety<br />
of places to go where they can improve their skills, get<br />
more experience and make new friends.” Their instructor<br />
directory matches adaptive divers with Diveheart<br />
instructors around the world. Diveheart’s Executive<br />
Director’s office is in Downers Grove, IL.<br />
Underwater Safaris is located in Chicago, IL. This<br />
organization offers Learn to Dive or Snorkel classes and<br />
training to become a PADI Divemaster, Assistant Instructor,<br />
or Open Water Scuba Instructor. The organization also<br />
operates an online store and sponsors Lake Michigan<br />
Wreck Dives.<br />
5
TRACK & FIELD<br />
Track and Field has been a recognized competitive sport<br />
for decades, especially at the high school and college<br />
levels. <strong>Milestones</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> is pleased to present a<br />
rundown of organizations that provide adaptive and<br />
inclusive track and field for people with challenges.<br />
Great Lakes Adaptive <strong>Sports</strong> Association (GLASA),<br />
based in Lake Forest, IL, includes track and field programs<br />
available to members.<br />
“GLASA provides a continuum of coaching for both<br />
ambulatory and wheelchair track and field from the beginner<br />
to elite level athlete. Being part of Team GLASA provides<br />
access to equipment (based on availability), cross-training,<br />
funding resources, logistical assistance, individual goal<br />
setting, and a competition schedule based on the<br />
athlete’s caliber. Competition opportunities are at the local,<br />
regional, and national level,”<br />
The Disabled Athlete <strong>Sports</strong> Association, based in the<br />
areas of St. Louis & Columbia, MO, includes track and<br />
field among its programs. This DASA program is available<br />
at the recreational and competitive levels. The DASA<br />
Dynamite Track and Field team has been competing<br />
since 1998. Racing chairs and field chairs are available to<br />
competitors. “Track and Field is also a Paralympic Sport.”<br />
Spire Academy, located in Geneva, OH, includes a Track<br />
and Field Club among its programs and services. This club<br />
is open to Middle/High School students looking for “more<br />
detailed instruction in the sport of Track and Field. The<br />
athlete will learn specific warm-ups, detailed training in their<br />
event, weight training workout at the end of the session,<br />
and a specific cool down.”<br />
Editor’s Note: The information in this article was obtained<br />
from the website of each of these organizations, and each<br />
was emailed the listing to review and edit if desired. If you<br />
would like a free list of all the adaptive/inclusive sports<br />
program providers in your state, shoot us an email<br />
(info@milestonesmagazine.com) with the subject line<br />
“adaptive/inclusive sports resource list” and include your<br />
name and state or residence (e.g., Illinois).<br />
HAVING A<br />
FIELD DAY!<br />
6
SWIMMING<br />
Of all the milestones a person can achieve in life, learning to swim perhaps one<br />
of the most important for anyone with or without disabilities, as a person’s life may<br />
depend on it.<br />
<strong>Milestones</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> is pleased to present this rundown of organizations that<br />
provide swim programs and instructors at locations throughout the United States.<br />
All the organizations listed here are active in multiple states. Some are franchise<br />
operations that are locally owned and operated.<br />
Select YMCAs, JCCs, and <strong>Special</strong> Recreation Associations across the U.S.<br />
have used the curriculum these organizations have developed and employ the<br />
instructors they have certified/trained. Parents should check for details with<br />
their local park district, special recreation association, YMCA, or JCC.<br />
7
Hudson Valley Swim provides individualized<br />
one-on-one swimming lessons for students of all<br />
ages with special needs, including those on the<br />
autism spectrum. Hudson Valley Swim has locations<br />
across the United States, including Florida, New York,<br />
and Connecticut, with more locations coming soon.<br />
Autism Speaks partners with swim lesson providers<br />
to advance the cause of water safety through swim<br />
lessons, particularly for especially vulnerable<br />
populations such as children with autism. Autism<br />
Speaks has posted a nationwide resource<br />
guide on swimming and water safety.<br />
USA Swimming supports swim lesson providers,<br />
swim teams and clubs, and parents/families with<br />
children with challenges. Parents can search their<br />
website for swim lesson providers and swim<br />
teams nearby.<br />
SafeSplash Swim School offers swim lessons for all ages,<br />
including an Adaptive Aquatics program. The “Adaptive Aquatics<br />
program considers the basic goalsof each swimmer as we<br />
promote comfort in the water, focus on safety, and teach the<br />
basics of swimming to the extent a child’s physical and<br />
developmental ability allows.” The process starts with<br />
individuals completing an online questionnaire. SafeSplash<br />
Swim School recommends that Adaptive Aquatics<br />
participants start with private lessons.<br />
8
SwimLabs Swim School offers Adaptive Aquatics, providing instructors<br />
trained in SwimLabs brand Certified Adaptive Aquatics. SwimLabs<br />
students have a variety of challenges, such as ADHD, Autism/ASD/related<br />
developmental challenges, Cerebral Palsy, and Down Syndrome.<br />
SwimLabs Swim School offers the Therapeutic Aquatic Program (T.A.P.)<br />
and Adapted Swim Levels (three levels, each with a specific framework<br />
and structure).<br />
British Swim School provides Dolphin 1 (Water Acclimation) and Dolphin 2<br />
(Water Survival) for special-ability students at select locations. British Swim<br />
School is a franchise operation; franchise owners must go through British<br />
Swim School’s specialized training to offer the <strong>Special</strong> Abilities program.<br />
Families should check with their local location(s) for the availability of<br />
these classes.<br />
Goldfish Swim School welcomes swimmers of all ages and abilities. In its<br />
mission “to spread awareness about water safety and drowning prevention,<br />
one swim lesson and one kiddo at a time,” the company has more than 140<br />
locations across the country.<br />
The Goldfish Swim School location in Winter Park, FL, has partnered with<br />
Alijah’s Awareness for three years in a row during Autism Acceptance Month<br />
in April. The Goldfish Swim School location in Gaithersburg, MD has also<br />
joined the partnership with Alijah’s Awareness this year. This initiative offers<br />
10 swim lessons scholarships, called Alijah’s Swimmers Scholarships,<br />
during April to local children in the franchise’s area. Community members<br />
can apply for the scholarship that lasts for 3 months or nominate a family<br />
to receive one.<br />
Goldfish Swim School and its proprietary philosophy, The Science of<br />
SwimPlay®, “builds life skills in and out of the water using play-based<br />
learning in a fun and safe environment.”<br />
Aqua-Tots Swim School<br />
The “<strong>Special</strong> Needs Aquatic Program (S.N.A.P.) is designed to create<br />
lessons tailored to each child’s special needs and abilities. This class may<br />
serve children diagnosed with behavioral, developmental, learning, medical<br />
or mental challenges. In this class, your child will work on pre-determined<br />
goals, which may include: increasing motor function, improving balance,<br />
coordination & range of motion, building self-confidence, gaining comfort<br />
in the water and a cohesive social environment, and developing<br />
spatial awareness.”<br />
All Aqua-Tots instructors are also CPR/ First Aid certified and undergo<br />
extensive water safety training before being allowed to teach a class. They<br />
follow a curriculum to help best teach children at their pace instead of their<br />
age. They are open all year round and have availability 7 days a week to<br />
best work with family schedules. They also offer one free class to ensure the<br />
program best fits a child before committing.<br />
9
Swim Angelfish provides Adaptive Swim Lessons,<br />
Aquatic Therapy, an online training program and<br />
certification for aquatic professionals. They also<br />
provide an online resource called the Water<br />
Safety For All Abilities Teaching Resources and<br />
Adaptive Toolkit for families. There are company-run<br />
programs in NY, MA, NH, and CT (the swim<br />
programs link goes to the locations page on the<br />
Swim Angelfish website). In addition, Swim<br />
Whisperers® certified instructors, using the<br />
Swim Whisperers® Methodology, work at swim<br />
programs throughout the United States.<br />
Bear Paddle Swim School offers specialized<br />
group, semi-private, and private swim lessons for<br />
people with disabilities and special needs.<br />
Sunsational Swim School offers instructors,<br />
including those with special needs expertise, who<br />
will travel to a customer’s home pool or meet them<br />
at a community pool. While instruction is available<br />
to individuals with various challenges, there is a<br />
focus on children with autism. “Autism swimming<br />
instructors have experience with kids on the<br />
spectrum and understand the best techniques<br />
to help your child learn to swim and be safe around<br />
the water.” Instructors use visual supports, such<br />
as visual skill cards, to help autistic children process<br />
information and understand what they are asked<br />
to do.<br />
Editor’s Note: The information in this article<br />
was obtained from the website of each of these<br />
organizations, and each was emailed the listing<br />
to review and edit if desired. If you would like a free<br />
list of all the swim program providers in your state,<br />
shoot us an email (info@milestonesmagazine.net)<br />
with the subject line “swimming resource list” and<br />
include your name and state or residence<br />
(e.g., Illinois).<br />
LET’S GO<br />
SWIMMING<br />
10
TENNIS<br />
L O V E<br />
People with divergent abilities often have a difficult (at<br />
best) time participating in recreational activities on an<br />
equal footing with peers. With their competitive nature<br />
(not to mention rules), team sports are a unique “bridge<br />
too far” for people with developmental, cognitive, and<br />
sensory challenges.<br />
Aceing Autism “is on a mission for children with<br />
autism to grow, develop and benefit from social<br />
connections and fitness through affordable tennis<br />
programming, uniquely serving individual needs<br />
while filling a national void for this growing and worthy<br />
population.”<br />
<strong>Milestones</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> is pleased to present this rundown<br />
of organizations supporting adaptive and inclusive<br />
tennis.<br />
“The Bankshot <strong>Sports</strong> Organization offers many<br />
different family sports, which are non-aggressive<br />
by design. Bankshot <strong>Sports</strong> are characterized as<br />
Total-Mix inclusion based on Universal Design. Bankshot<br />
Playcourts is unique as a drop-in, walk-on family sport,<br />
leaving no one marginalized to the sidelines.”<br />
“Bankshot Tennis is offered in sets of 3-18 stations,<br />
laid out in various configurations, providing varying<br />
difficulty levels from easy to moderately difficult to quite<br />
maddening - almost undoable! Forever challenging!”<br />
Bankshot courts are used at various locations<br />
throughout the U.S., such as municipal or park district<br />
recreational facilities.<br />
There are community-based program locations<br />
throughout the U.S. Financial support for families is<br />
available through the ACEing Autism Scholarship<br />
program and the Dick’s Sporting Goods Grants program.<br />
Both programs require an online application.<br />
USTA Colorado offers adaptive tennis. “Through a<br />
close partnership with <strong>Special</strong> Olympics Colorado,<br />
individuals can learn and play tennis in the summer with<br />
opportunities to continue into national and worldwide<br />
competitions and even sanctioned USTA leagues and<br />
tournaments.”<br />
Miracle <strong>Sports</strong>, based in Tallahassee, FL, sponsors<br />
in-person tennis in the summer. Teams include people<br />
with and without disabilities. Youth and adult leagues<br />
are available, and youth games are held just before the<br />
adult team games.<br />
11
L O V E<br />
Great Lakes Adaptive <strong>Sports</strong> Association (GLASA),<br />
based in Lake Forest, IL, includes adaptive tennis among<br />
the programs available to members. “Instruction is<br />
provided for intermediate and tournament level<br />
players who are ambulatory or use a manual or<br />
power chair. Players can use a sports chair, which can<br />
be provided.” GLASA Membership is open to “Youth,<br />
Teens, and Adults with Wheelchair, Ambulatory, & Visual<br />
Impairments.”<br />
USTA Kentucky provides education and opportunities<br />
for all ages for wheelchair tennis, including multiple free<br />
wheelchair clinics and wheelchair tennis programs in<br />
some parts of the state.<br />
South Coast Wheelchair Tennis Foundation, based<br />
in the Haverhill, MA area, co-hosts USTA All-Comers<br />
Wheelchair Tennis Training (along with USTA New<br />
England), offers Junior Wheelchair Tennis Initiative<br />
(ages 5-18), wheelchair tennis clinics focused on<br />
people with mobility disabilities, and runs the<br />
Strokes and Stokes program, which brings players,<br />
wheelchairs and more to owners and coaches who<br />
would like to host a clinic or get wheelchair players<br />
into their program.<br />
Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) has partnered<br />
with <strong>Special</strong> Olympics Maryland to offer weekly clinics<br />
every spring. There is also an adaptive tennis program<br />
for adults 18 and older with physical or psychological<br />
disabilities; this program is also open to active-duty<br />
military and veterans.<br />
S P E C I A L S P O R T S I S S U E<br />
12
BASEBALL<br />
PLAY BALL<br />
Baseball has long been known as America’s<br />
pastime, so the sport often includes children with<br />
disabilities in local programs. Park districts and<br />
organizations like the YMCA and JCC offer<br />
adaptive/inclusive programs.<br />
<strong>Milestones</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> is pleased to present<br />
this rundown of organizations that provide<br />
recreational baseball for children. All the<br />
organizations listed here are active in<br />
multiple states.<br />
The Miracle League exists to provide children<br />
with disabilities the chance to play Miracle<br />
League baseball, “Promote community support<br />
and sponsorship of Miracle Leagues,” and<br />
“promote the construction of special facilities<br />
that meet the unique needs of Miracle League<br />
players and their families.”<br />
Families looking for a Miracle League nearby<br />
can call (770-760-1933) or email Stephanie<br />
Davis at the corporate office. Stephanie is also<br />
the contact person for community leaders who<br />
would like to build a specially designed Miracle<br />
League field and program in their area.<br />
13
Beep Baseball: Beep Baseball provides people<br />
who are blind or have visual impairment the<br />
opportunity to play adaptive baseball. Teams<br />
are active in the cities of Atlanta, Austin, San<br />
Antonio, Houston, Fort Worth, Abilene, College<br />
Station (TX), Tyler (TX), Boston, West Palm Beach<br />
(FL), Philadelphia, Cape Girardeau (MO),<br />
Chicago, Cleveland, St. Louis, Indianapolis,<br />
St. Paul, Oklahoma City, Pasadena, Stockton<br />
(CA), East Windsor (NJ), Matawan (NJ), Rockville<br />
Centre (NY), and regionally in Northeast U.S.<br />
and Southwest U.S. Adaptive <strong>Sports</strong> Iowa also<br />
sponsors a team, The Iowa Reapers, which<br />
practices at a middle school in Des Moines.<br />
BEEP Baseball is headquartered in Glenview, IL.<br />
The organization mirrors Major League Baseball<br />
with a World Series and a Hall of Fame.<br />
“The League of Dreams is an adaptive sports<br />
league giving every child a chance to play by<br />
providing sports training, team camaraderie,<br />
and competitive sporting opportunities to<br />
athletes ages 5 to 22 with physical,<br />
developmental, and cognitive disabilities.<br />
In 2012, with the help of county supervisor<br />
Mike Maggard and many other donors and<br />
community members, the League of Dreams<br />
opened Abilities Field, the first adaptive baseball<br />
field in Bakersfield (CA) at Fruitvale Norris Park. In<br />
2013, League of Dreams, with the help of a grant<br />
from the Adaptive Arthritis Associate, assisted<br />
with building the accessible playground in front<br />
of the baseball field.”<br />
USA Wheelchair Softball oversees more than<br />
“forty adult and junior teams of men, women,<br />
boys, and girls of all ages in the United States.”<br />
Tournaments are held in various U.S. locations,<br />
such as Chicago, Kansas City, MO, Minneapolis,<br />
MN, Pasadena, TX, and Columbus, OH.<br />
Miracle <strong>Sports</strong>, based in Tallahassee, FL,<br />
sponsors in-person baseball in the springtime.<br />
Teams include people with and without<br />
disabilities. Youth and adult leagues are<br />
available, and youth games are held just<br />
before the adult team games.<br />
14
S O C C E R<br />
After baseball, soccer is the most popular recreational sport in this country (we don’t have soccer<br />
moms for nothing, do we?). As with all sports and other recreational opportunities, people with physical,<br />
sensory, or other challenges often have difficulty participating.<br />
<strong>Milestones</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> is pleased to present this rundown of adaptive / inclusive soccer programs<br />
across the U.S.<br />
TopSoccer, sponsored by U.S. Youth Soccer, Great Lakes Adaptive <strong>Sports</strong> Association<br />
partners with member clubs nationwide to provide (GLASA), based in Lake Forest, IL, includes<br />
adaptive/inclusive soccer programs for children power soccer (a sport specifically designed for<br />
with disabilities. “US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer power wheelchair users) among the programs<br />
(The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a<br />
available to members.” Teams are available at the<br />
community-based training and team placement recreational (beginning) and competitive levels for<br />
program for young athletes with disabilities,<br />
teens and adults. Power Soccer is played indoors<br />
organized by youth soccer association<br />
on a gym floor using power wheelchairs “equipped<br />
volunteers. The program is designed to bring with specially designed ‘guards’ to advance the<br />
the opportunity to learn and play soccer to any ball down the court.” GLASA Membership is open<br />
boy or girl, ages 6-18, with a mental or<br />
to “Youth, Teens, and Adults with Wheelchair,<br />
physical disability.”<br />
Ambulatory, & Visual Impairments.”<br />
The American Amputee Soccer Association The Disabled Athlete <strong>Sports</strong> Association,<br />
sponsors national and regional teams in Colorado, based in St. Louis & Columbia, MO areas,<br />
Columbus, OH, the Mid-Atlantic states, the Long includes power soccer among its programs.<br />
Island/NYC Metro area, New England, Southern Power soccer players use a power soccer chair,<br />
California, and Texas. There are programs for which is a specially designed power wheelchair<br />
women and youth, along with the men’s division. able to go up to 6mph and equipped with a front<br />
bumper guard used to dribble, pass, and shoot<br />
an oversized soccer ball.<br />
SOCCER IS TOPS
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16
GOLF<br />
IN THE SWING OF THINGS<br />
17
<strong>Milestones</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> is pleased to present a<br />
rundown of organizations that provide adaptive<br />
and inclusive golf.<br />
Higher Ground, based in Ketchum, ID, includes<br />
adaptive golf among the recreational activities it<br />
offers in the spring and summer.<br />
“Marty Turcios Therapeutic Golf provides free<br />
therapeutic recreation to anyone with a<br />
disability using the latest high-tech equipment.”<br />
This Augusta, GA-based organization “treats<br />
veterans with Traumatic Brain Injuries, teens and<br />
adults with autism, Down’s syndrome and other<br />
severe disabilities such as amputees and stroke<br />
survivors,” and people with mental health<br />
challenges. Founder Marty Turcios has personal<br />
experience with Cerebral Palsy and speech &<br />
mobility impairments and designed the program<br />
to meet those challenges for him and others.<br />
The <strong>Special</strong> Olympics Unified <strong>Sports</strong>® program<br />
(including golf) “ promotes social inclusion<br />
through shared sports training and competition<br />
experiences. It joins people with and without<br />
intellectual disabilities who play and compete<br />
on the same team. It was inspired by a simple<br />
principle: training together and playing together<br />
is the quickest path to friendship and<br />
understanding.”<br />
I Got This Foundation, located in Glendale, AZ,<br />
provides golf instruction, playing opportunities,<br />
and organized events for people with Down<br />
Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities.<br />
The foundation can be a stepping stone for them<br />
to compete in leagues with typical peers, join<br />
high school teams, and get athletic college<br />
scholarships.<br />
“Founder Amy Bockerstette is a collegiate<br />
golfer, and disabilities advocate with Down<br />
Syndrome. She is the first person with Down<br />
Syndrome to receive an athletic scholarship<br />
to attend college.<br />
On May 20, 2021, Amy made history by becoming<br />
the first person with Down syndrome to compete<br />
in a national collegiate championship.”<br />
Great Lakes Adaptive <strong>Sports</strong> Association<br />
(GLASA), based in Lake Forest, IL, includes<br />
adaptive golf among the programs available to<br />
members, who are provided with “golf clubs,<br />
instruction, and adaptive golf carts to make the<br />
sport of golf accessible to all.” Membership is open<br />
to “Youth, Teens, and Adults with Wheelchair,<br />
Ambulatory, & Visual Impairments.”<br />
“The CDGA Foundation utilizes the game of golf<br />
to enhance the lives of individuals with special<br />
needs, veterans, and youth.” The foundation<br />
operates The Sunshine Through Golf Camp<br />
Program, The Youth on Course Program (with<br />
locations nationwide), and a Veterans Program.<br />
“The camp program is a partnership between<br />
PGA Professionals, CDGA member clubs, <strong>Special</strong><br />
Recreation Associations, Private Agencies or Park<br />
Districts, and the CDGA Foundation.”<br />
“The CDGA and CDGA Foundation partnered<br />
with Youth on Course in 2016.” Youth on Course<br />
is active in all 50 U.S. states and Canada. The<br />
organization subsidizes rounds for 6-18 members,<br />
ensuring they can play for $5 or less.”<br />
The National Alliance for Accessible Golf, based<br />
in Bloomington, IN, offers a search function on<br />
its website for people with physical, sensory,<br />
developmental, or specific disabilities looking<br />
for facilities with particular features, such as<br />
dedicated individual or group instruction. They<br />
also provide grants to adaptive golf programs<br />
across the country.<br />
The Disabled Athlete <strong>Sports</strong> Association, based<br />
in areas of St. Louis & Columbia, MO, includes<br />
adaptive golf among its programs. Modifications<br />
to the instruction can be made, as well as to the<br />
equipment and adapted techniques for the<br />
golf swing itself.<br />
Golf 4 The Disabled, based in Englewood, CO, is<br />
dedicated to “bringing recreational golf therapy to<br />
those with disabilities to learn and enjoy the game<br />
of golf!” It offers clinics at Broken Tee Golf Course.<br />
18
F I S H I N G<br />
LET’S GO FISHING<br />
Fishing is a popular pastime, particularly during<br />
the summer. Wherever two drops of water get<br />
together (o.k., slightly more than two drops,<br />
but you catch my drift), you see people out<br />
with their rods & reels, out to catch their dinner,<br />
if possible. Adaptive/inclusive fishing programs/<br />
events seek to offer these opportunities to<br />
people with challenges.<br />
<strong>Milestones</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> is pleased to provide this<br />
sample of programs across the country.<br />
Fishing Has No Boundaries is a non-profit,<br />
educational, 501 (C) (3) charitable and training<br />
organization. Bobby Cammack founded Fishing<br />
Has No Boundaries®, Inc. after he broke his leg,<br />
and as a result, had difficulty continuing with<br />
fishing, for which he has a particular passion.<br />
He spent years researching and planning,<br />
and the first Fishing Has No Boundaries event<br />
was held in 1988 at Hayward, WI. Fishing Has No<br />
Boundaries is available to all people with<br />
disabilities regardless of age, race, gender,<br />
and severity of disability. It has many chapters<br />
throughout the United States, including Capital<br />
City in Chatham, IL, and Colorado Springs<br />
in Colorado Springs, CO. People can connect to<br />
a local chapter through the national website.<br />
Telluride (CO) Adaptive <strong>Sports</strong> includes fishing<br />
as one of the recreational activities it provides.<br />
TASP organizes fishing trips for people of all<br />
ability levels. All fishing gear is included. Fishing<br />
locations range from privately stocked ponds to<br />
larger lakes and reservoirs.<br />
The Adaptive Outdoor Education Center,<br />
based in Brunswick, ME, includes the Horizons<br />
Fly Fishing program (in collaboration with<br />
Confluence Collective) among its activities.<br />
There is a 6-week program that meets weekly<br />
and winds up with a fly-fishing retreat and<br />
a half-day program at a local lake with fishers<br />
accompanied by certified Maine Guides.<br />
Editor’s Note: The information in this article<br />
was obtained from the website of each of these<br />
organizations, and each was emailed the<br />
listing to review and edit if desired. If you would<br />
like a free list of all the adaptive/inclusive sports<br />
program providers in your state, shoot us<br />
an email (info@milestonesmagazine.net) with<br />
the subject line “adaptive/inclusive sports<br />
resource list” and include your name and state or<br />
residence (e.g., Illinois).<br />
19
MILESTONES<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
Is Pleased<br />
to Announce<br />
Our<br />
EVENTS<br />
Adaptive Swim:<br />
Unleashing Potential through Inclusive Waters<br />
Friday, June 16, <strong>2023</strong> from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM (CDT)<br />
Hosted by Dr. McKenzie Schneider, Adaptive Swim Coach & Aquatic Therapist<br />
Event will be live on eventbrite!<br />
Join us for an engaging and informative virtual event on June 16th where <strong>Milestones</strong><br />
<strong>Magazine</strong> and Bridge to Independence partner up to provide valuable insights into<br />
adaptive swim programs for individuals with disabilities. Led by an experienced adaptive<br />
swim coach and aquatic therapist, Dr. McKenzie Schneider, this free event aims to educate<br />
families about the benefits and opportunities these specialized programs offer. Don’t<br />
miss this chance to dive into a world of possibilities for your loved ones and clients.<br />
Unified <strong>Sports</strong>: Is it for you?<br />
Come join us for this discussion!<br />
Friday, June 30, <strong>2023</strong> from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM (CDT)<br />
Hosted by Brian Browne, Director of the Aceing Autism Tennis Program<br />
Event will be live on eventbrite!<br />
Unified <strong>Sports</strong> is one approach to including people with divergent abilities in sports<br />
programs on an equal footing (so to speak) with their “typically developing” peers.<br />
Brian Browne, director of the Aceing Autism Tennis Program at Laguna Creek High<br />
School in Elk Grove, California, will fill us in about Unified <strong>Sports</strong>.<br />
Get in Touch with Us for More Information!<br />
info@milestonesmagazine.net / 630-499-5810<br />
20
S P E C I A L S P O R T S I S S U E<br />
ADVENTURE<br />
The desire for adventure is in the blood of some people at one time or another, and<br />
people with disabilities are no exception.<br />
<strong>Milestones</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> is pleased to present this rundown of organizations that provide<br />
adaptive recreation, including indoor and outdoor climbing, cycling, mountain biking,<br />
kayaking, sailing, scuba diving, and other recreational activities.<br />
Waypoint Adventure, based in Lexington, MA, includes adaptive<br />
hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing among its activities and programs.<br />
“Waypoint Adventure uses quality experiential and adventure-based<br />
education programs to transform the lives of individuals with disabilities.<br />
We work with school groups, social service organizations, families, and<br />
individuals to offer custom-designed adventures that meet the goals<br />
and objectives of that group or person. We believe every person should experience the<br />
dignity of risk and community benefits.”<br />
Catalyst <strong>Sports</strong>, which offers indoor and outdoor rock climbing, adaptive cycling,<br />
mountain biking, and adaptive kayaking, is active throughout the Southeastern U.S.,<br />
including Birmingham, AL, Huntsville AL, Asheville NC, Raleigh/Durham NC, Atlanta GA,<br />
Kennesaw GA; Chattanooga TN, Knoxville TN, Nashville TN, Louisville KY, and Alexandria<br />
VA (Greater DC area). Not all activities are available at all locations.<br />
21<br />
THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE
Lakewood Adaptive Watersports Foundation is<br />
based in Locust Grove, VA; events are held at Lake<br />
of the Woods, VA. The foundation hosts Adaptive<br />
Kayaking and Waterskiing for children and the Smiles<br />
Adaptive Carnival.<br />
Challenged Athletes Foundation provides grants<br />
to athletes to cover the costs of equipment and<br />
other necessities for them to participate in sports.<br />
“Since 1994, CAF has raised more than $159M and<br />
funded over 44,000 grant requests from people<br />
with physical disabilities in all 50 states and 70<br />
countries across 104+ sports.” Among the events<br />
in which they are involved are a CAF Mountain<br />
Bike Clinic in Boise, ID (May 27-29, <strong>2023</strong>) and a CAF<br />
Idaho Cycling Club Launch on May 6, <strong>2023</strong>.<br />
Sail Inc., based in Alaska, “provides many<br />
recreation opportunities. Rain or shine, we offer<br />
hiking, biking, and kayaking opportunities, as<br />
well as biweekly outings for youth and adults<br />
that include: fishing, zip-lining, whale watching,<br />
camping, rock climbing, horseback riding,<br />
rafting, outdoor art, and swimming. ORCA also<br />
offers two inclusive youth day camps for youth<br />
7-18yrs. Overnight trips and campouts include tent<br />
and cabin camping in the Tongass National Forest and<br />
multi-day trips throughout Alaska, Northern<br />
Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, and the Lower 48 States.”<br />
22
The U.S. Blind Tandem Cycling Connection<br />
focuses on individuals who are visually impaired or<br />
blind to introduce them to the sport of tandem<br />
cycling. They serve as a resource to link blind and<br />
visually impaired cyclists with sighted cyclists,<br />
educate people about tandem cycling, pass on<br />
information about tandem cycling clubs, events, and<br />
opportunities, and address the needs of the blind<br />
tandem cycling community.<br />
Adaptive Adventures, based in Westminster, CO,<br />
serves children, adults, and veterans.<br />
“The Adaptive <strong>Sports</strong> for Kids (ASK) Program offers<br />
year-round recreational and competitive sports<br />
opportunities for children and youth ages 6 to 20<br />
with physical disabilities.”<br />
For adults, Adaptive Adventures “champions<br />
Freedom through Mobility.” Programs feature<br />
“cutting-edge adaptive equipment, experienced<br />
staff, volunteers, and coaches.”<br />
“AAMO (Adaptive Adventure Military Operations)<br />
provides injured veterans and active-duty military<br />
the opportunity to return to the level of fitness and<br />
activity that they had before being wounded.”<br />
Team Paradise, based in Miami, “is a truly<br />
unique sailing organization that provides sailing<br />
opportunities and education for everyone at<br />
all levels of ability, including our disabled and<br />
under-served communities and US veterans.”<br />
Freedom Waters Foundation, based in Naples &<br />
Ft Lauderdale, partners with Collier County Parks<br />
and Recreation to teach people with disabilities<br />
to sail. Activities and events take place on the<br />
lake at Sugden Regional Park in Naples; program<br />
participants can also join in on the Murdo Smith<br />
Adaptive Sailing Regatta.<br />
Poseidon Handicap Scuba Adventures is<br />
dedicated “to improving the physical and<br />
social well-being of people with disabilities by<br />
teaching underwater educational programs to<br />
disabled individuals utilizing the Handicap<br />
Scuba Association guidelines.”<br />
Access Surf in Hawaii offers an Adaptive<br />
Surfing clinic, a quarterly program where 4-6<br />
surfers are provided individualized and<br />
specialized coaching by volunteers.<br />
23
A D V E N T U R E<br />
Higher Ground, based in Ketchum, ID, offers<br />
adaptive hiking, indoor climbing, bocce, and golf in<br />
the spring and summer.<br />
Great Lakes Adaptive <strong>Sports</strong> Association (GLASA),<br />
based in Lake Forest, IL, includes adaptive sailing,<br />
kayaking, and water-skiing among the programs<br />
available to members.<br />
“GLASA partners with the Judd Goldman Adaptive<br />
Sailing Program (JGASP) to offer this program. JGASP<br />
includes classroom and on-water instruction in the<br />
Freedom 20’s sailboat.”<br />
H2O Adaptive <strong>Sports</strong> conducts the waterski<br />
program. Sit skis, stand-up skis, and other adaptive<br />
equipment are available.<br />
GLASA membership is open to “Youth, Teens,<br />
and Adults with Wheelchair, Ambulatory, and<br />
Visual Impairments.”<br />
Underwater Safaris, based in Chicago, IL, offers<br />
adaptive scuba diving. Owner Marianne Preker<br />
is an “a Handicapped Scuba Association<br />
Instructor and HSA Course Director. Our program<br />
for disabled divers received international<br />
acclaim.”<br />
Chesapeake Regional Accessible Boating<br />
(CRAB), based in the Chesapeake Bay, MD,<br />
offers adaptive sailing. “The Adaptive Boating<br />
Center is open year-round, with a 16-slip floating<br />
dock marina, increased adaptive boarding<br />
equipment for guests (Hoyer lifts and transfer<br />
slides), an open-air pavilion, and a 2,600 sq. ft<br />
learning center, all built to exceed ADA standards.<br />
Certification courses, sailing and boating<br />
training, and therapy courses for people with<br />
disabilities will be incorporated into CRAB’s<br />
existing sailing programs and will continue to<br />
be offered free of charge.”<br />
THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE 24
MILESTONES MAGAZINE<br />
HELPING<br />
Individuals with Disabilities and Their Families<br />
Achieve and Celebrate<br />
Events and <strong>Milestones</strong> in their Lives<br />
SPECIAL SPORTS ISSUE<br />
Get in Touch with Us for More Information!<br />
info@milestonesmagazine.net / 630-499-5810<br />
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