Rolling Trojans Adapted Sports

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are adapted sports? 

A: Adapted sports are recreational or competitive sports for persons with disabilities. Adapted sports come in all forms, from Wheelchair Basketball to Archery and Goalball. Adapted sports and other types of adapted recreation promote health and well-being, reduce social isolation, and improve the overall quality of life for those who participate. 

Q: What are some of the disabilities that eligible students have?

A; Examples of the types of disability groups served include cerebral palsy, spina bifida, spinal cord injury, amputee, muscular dystrophy, osteogenesis imperfecta and other physical disorders. A student must have a physical disability or qualifying sensory impairment.

Q: What is the primary difference between Special Olympics and adapted sports? 

A: Adapted sports athletes are not eligible for the Special Olympics. The two organizations target different populations. AAASP serves students with physical disabilities, while Special Olympics serves people with intellectual disabilities.

Q: My child has a qualifying physical disability but does not use a wheelchair; can he/she still play?

A: Yes, all participants practice and compete in a wheelchair to help level the playing field and engage more students with physical disabilities in athletics. Local school member programs provide sports wheelchairs as part of their adapted sports equipment for students who do not use a wheelchair for mobility on a daily basis. Students who are ambulatory, use assistive devices or use a manual or power wheelchair are eligible. If your child uses a wheelchair for daily mobility then they can participate in their everyday chair. Wheelchair team handball and wheelchair football rules allow for the combination of manual and power wheelchair users. Wheelchair basketball rules allow for manual chair users only.