Rolling Into Inclusion: Wheelchair Sports and Activities Through Assistive Technology

Presenter(s)

Event Details

Topic:

accessibility & UDL

Format:

lecture

Subject Level:

beginner

Age Span:

kindergarten - grade 6
grades 7-12
adult

Target Audience:

AT specialist
consultant
educator
family member / caregiver
healthcare administration
K-12 administration
occupational therapist
paraprofessional
physical therapist
special educator
teacher of the visually impaired
university professor / personnel
vision impairment specialist

Professional Development Credits

IACET CEUs:

0.01

ACVREP CEs:

1

Presentation Length: 1 hour

Location:

Plaza 6

Description:

Participation in sports and recreation plays a critical role in physical health, social development, and self-confidence for all students. However, students who use wheelchairs often encounter barriers that limit access to traditional physical education and recreational opportunities. Wheelchair sports offer an engaging and empowering pathway for inclusion, skill development, and community building. When supported by assistive technology and thoughtful program design, these activities can transform how students (future adults) experience physical activity and participation.

This session introduces educators, occupational therapists, physical therapists, adaptive physical education teachers, and assistive technology specialists to the world of wheelchair sports and inclusive recreational programming. Participants will explore a variety of wheelchair sports, including basketball, tennis, biking, softball, hockey and lacrosse, while learning how adaptive equipment and environmental modifications can expand opportunities for participation. The session will highlight the role of assistive technology in sport participation, including sport wheelchairs, adaptations,and emerging maker-based solutions such as 3D-printed equipment.

Attendees will engage in interactive demonstrations and collaborative design challenges that illustrate the physical demands and creative problem solving involved in wheelchair sports. Through guided activities, participants will explore inclusive game design, and strategies for adapting common physical education activities. These exercises encourage attendees to think critically about accessibility and to generate practical solutions that can be implemented in their own schools or programs.

The session will also address common barriers to implementation, including limited funding, lack of specialized equipment, and staff training needs. Participants will learn how to start small with low-cost equipment and scalable activities while building partnerships with adaptive sports organizations and community programs. Examples from school-based programs will illustrate how wheelchair sports can evolve from simple classroom activities to fully developed inclusive recreation initiatives.

By the end of the session, participants will leave with a toolkit of adaptable activities, equipment ideas, and implementation strategies that can immediately support inclusive recreation and physical education. Most importantly, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how wheelchair sports can empower students, build confidence, and strengthen inclusive school communities.

Learning Outcomes:

As a result of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Identify common wheelchair sports and their key adaptive features.

• Explain how assistive technology supports participation in adaptive sports.

• Design inclusive sports activities that include wheelchair users and ambulatory students.

Disclosures:

Staff Occupational Therapist at the Henry Viscardi School
Staff Teacher's Assistant at the Henry Viscardi School