Milestones Magazine Special Sports Issue 2023

Summer Issue 2023
BASKETBALL
SCUBA DIVING
TRACK & FIELD
SWIMMING
TENNIS
BASEBALL
Golf
SOCCER
FISHING
ADVENTURE
SPECIAL SPORTS ISSUE

SPECIAL SPORTS ISSUE
WELCOME
Publisher
Susie Redfern is the parent of a young adult on the Autism Spectrum. She developed Milestones
Magazine to help individuals with disabilities and their families achieve and celebrate events
and milestones in their lives. info@milestonesmagazine.net / MilestonesMagazine.net
1

Table
Of Content
Summer is often the time for more
leisure and recreation. Family vacations,
lazy days at the local pool, team sports
leagues, and more. These typical events
of summer can be more difficult for
people with challenges due to physical,
sensory, cognitive, or behavioral issues.
Milestones Magazine is pleased to address
this with our special issue of the magazine,
which samples adaptive/inclusive sports
programs across the country. Whether your
interest is in water sports such as sailing or
scuba diving, or team sports on land such
as soccer or baseball, you can find an
article here about it. We also focus on
learning to swim/water safety, which
can be an essential survival skill.
We are also pleased to announce our
Rewards Program initiative, through
which members can receive our resource
lists of programs/services in your state
that serve people with challenges in all
aspects of their lives. Please check out our
announcement page in this issue for details.
BASKETBALL 3
SCUBA DIVING 5
TRACK & FIELD 6
SWIMMING 7
TENNIS 11
BASEBALL 13
SOCCER 15
Golf 17
FISHING 19
ADVENTURE 21
2

BASKETBALL
People with divergent abilities often have
a difficult (at best) time participating in
recreational activities on an equal footing with
peers. With their competitive nature (not to
mention rules), team sports are a unique
“bridge too far” for people with developmental,
cognitive, and sensory challenges.
Milestones Magazine is pleased to present this
rundown of organizations that provide adaptive
basketball.
Challenged Athletes Foundation provides grants
to athletes to cover the costs of equipment and
other necessities for them to participate in sports.
“Since 1994, CAF has raised more than $159M and
funded over 44,000 grant requests from people
with physical disabilities in all 50 states and 70
countries across 104+ sports.”
Among the projects in which CAF is involved
is a Wheelchair Basketball Training Zone in
collaboration with the National Wheelchair
Basketball Association. This offers athletes a
comprehensive training video library, support
through CAF’s annual grant program to obtain
a basketball wheelchair, and information on
local adaptive sports groups that have
wheelchair basketball teams and host
tournaments.
“The Bankshot Sports Organization offers
many different family sports, which are nonaggressive
by design. Bankshot Sports are
characterized as Total-Mix inclusion based on
Universal Design. Bankshot Playcourts is unique
as a drop-in, walk-on family sport, leaving
no one marginalized to the sidelines.”
“The court is designed to have players shoot
at an angle. It also has a series of uniquely
shaped backboards and hoops placed at
8 feet. The Bankshot Court helps those playing
with confidence, self-competitiveness, and
integration. Gary, using a wheelchair, Larry’s two
kids with autism, Richard with mobility limitations,
and a 90-year-old grandfather are provided
with spontaneous “whenever” participation,
challenging for all ages.”
Bankshot courts are used at various locations
throughout the U.S., such as municipal or park
district recreational facilities.
SPECIAL SPORTS ISSUE
The Special Olympics Unified Sports®
program (including basketball) “promotes
social inclusion through shared sports
training and competition experiences.
It joins people with and without intellectual
disabilities who play and compete on
the same team. It was inspired by a simple
principle: training together and playing
together is the quickest path to friendship
and understanding.”
3

SHOOTING HOOPS
Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association
(GLASA), based in Lake Forest, IL, includes
wheelchair basketball among the programs
available to members. Wheelchair basketball is for
individuals with varying physical disabilities that
prevent them from playing competitive stand-up
basketball. They do not have to be wheelchair
users off the court. GLASA membership is open
to “Youth, Teens, and Adults with Wheelchair,
Ambulatory, and Visual Impairments.”
National Wheelchair Basketball Association
has co-ed teams at the junior (age 5 & up) and adult
levels and a Women’s Division. “The NWBA selects
and develops the U.S.A. Paralympic teams.” Teams
are available throughout the U.S.
Adaptive Sports Iowa includes youth wheelchair
basketball, adapted for those with physical disabilities
(though not necessarily everyday wheelchair users).
Adaptive Sports Iowa has organized the Grizzlies Youth
Wheelchair Basketball team.

Scuba diving is popular for many reasons: people are
interested in finding or exploring what lies under the sea,
whether that is wildlife such as fish, coral reefs, or ship
wreckages.
People with disabilities struggle to participate in many
sports and recreational activities, including scuba diving.
Milestones Magazine is pleased to present a rundown of
organizations that provide adaptive diving.
Diveheart Foundation: Diveheart Foundation is a leader in
providing Adaptive Scuba training, bringing adaptive divers,
buddies, and instructors “the latest most innovative program
in the industry.” With their adaptive scuba adventure trip,
“Diveheart gives adaptive divers and buddies a wide variety
of places to go where they can improve their skills, get
more experience and make new friends.” Their instructor
directory matches adaptive divers with Diveheart
instructors around the world. Diveheart’s Executive
Director’s office is in Downers Grove, IL.
Underwater Safaris is located in Chicago, IL. This
organization offers Learn to Dive or Snorkel classes and
training to become a PADI Divemaster, Assistant Instructor,
or Open Water Scuba Instructor. The organization also
operates an online store and sponsors Lake Michigan
Wreck Dives.
5

TRACK & FIELD
Track and Field has been a recognized competitive sport
for decades, especially at the high school and college
levels. Milestones Magazine is pleased to present a
rundown of organizations that provide adaptive and
inclusive track and field for people with challenges.
Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA),
based in Lake Forest, IL, includes track and field programs
available to members.
“GLASA provides a continuum of coaching for both
ambulatory and wheelchair track and field from the beginner
to elite level athlete. Being part of Team GLASA provides
access to equipment (based on availability), cross-training,
funding resources, logistical assistance, individual goal
setting, and a competition schedule based on the
athlete’s caliber. Competition opportunities are at the local,
regional, and national level,”
The Disabled Athlete Sports Association, based in the
areas of St. Louis & Columbia, MO, includes track and
field among its programs. This DASA program is available
at the recreational and competitive levels. The DASA
Dynamite Track and Field team has been competing
since 1998. Racing chairs and field chairs are available to
competitors. “Track and Field is also a Paralympic Sport.”
Spire Academy, located in Geneva, OH, includes a Track
and Field Club among its programs and services. This club
is open to Middle/High School students looking for “more
detailed instruction in the sport of Track and Field. The
athlete will learn specific warm-ups, detailed training in their
event, weight training workout at the end of the session,
and a specific cool down.”
Editor’s Note: The information in this article was obtained
from the website of each of these organizations, and each
was emailed the listing to review and edit if desired. If you
would like a free list of all the adaptive/inclusive sports
program providers in your state, shoot us an email
(info@milestonesmagazine.com) with the subject line
“adaptive/inclusive sports resource list” and include your
name and state or residence (e.g., Illinois).
HAVING A
FIELD DAY!
6

SWIMMING
Of all the milestones a person can achieve in life, learning to swim perhaps one
of the most important for anyone with or without disabilities, as a person’s life may
depend on it.
Milestones Magazine is pleased to present this rundown of organizations that
provide swim programs and instructors at locations throughout the United States.
All the organizations listed here are active in multiple states. Some are franchise
operations that are locally owned and operated.
Select YMCAs, JCCs, and Special Recreation Associations across the U.S.
have used the curriculum these organizations have developed and employ the
instructors they have certified/trained. Parents should check for details with
their local park district, special recreation association, YMCA, or JCC.
7

Hudson Valley Swim provides individualized
one-on-one swimming lessons for students of all
ages with special needs, including those on the
autism spectrum. Hudson Valley Swim has locations
across the United States, including Florida, New York,
and Connecticut, with more locations coming soon.
Autism Speaks partners with swim lesson providers
to advance the cause of water safety through swim
lessons, particularly for especially vulnerable
populations such as children with autism. Autism
Speaks has posted a nationwide resource
guide on swimming and water safety.
USA Swimming supports swim lesson providers,
swim teams and clubs, and parents/families with
children with challenges. Parents can search their
website for swim lesson providers and swim
teams nearby.
SafeSplash Swim School offers swim lessons for all ages,
including an Adaptive Aquatics program. The “Adaptive Aquatics
program considers the basic goalsof each swimmer as we
promote comfort in the water, focus on safety, and teach the
basics of swimming to the extent a child’s physical and
developmental ability allows.” The process starts with
individuals completing an online questionnaire. SafeSplash
Swim School recommends that Adaptive Aquatics
participants start with private lessons.
8

SwimLabs Swim School offers Adaptive Aquatics, providing instructors
trained in SwimLabs brand Certified Adaptive Aquatics. SwimLabs
students have a variety of challenges, such as ADHD, Autism/ASD/related
developmental challenges, Cerebral Palsy, and Down Syndrome.
SwimLabs Swim School offers the Therapeutic Aquatic Program (T.A.P.)
and Adapted Swim Levels (three levels, each with a specific framework
and structure).
British Swim School provides Dolphin 1 (Water Acclimation) and Dolphin 2
(Water Survival) for special-ability students at select locations. British Swim
School is a franchise operation; franchise owners must go through British
Swim School’s specialized training to offer the Special Abilities program.
Families should check with their local location(s) for the availability of
these classes.
Goldfish Swim School welcomes swimmers of all ages and abilities. In its
mission “to spread awareness about water safety and drowning prevention,
one swim lesson and one kiddo at a time,” the company has more than 140
locations across the country.
The Goldfish Swim School location in Winter Park, FL, has partnered with
Alijah’s Awareness for three years in a row during Autism Acceptance Month
in April. The Goldfish Swim School location in Gaithersburg, MD has also
joined the partnership with Alijah’s Awareness this year. This initiative offers
10 swim lessons scholarships, called Alijah’s Swimmers Scholarships,
during April to local children in the franchise’s area. Community members
can apply for the scholarship that lasts for 3 months or nominate a family
to receive one.
Goldfish Swim School and its proprietary philosophy, The Science of
SwimPlay®, “builds life skills in and out of the water using play-based
learning in a fun and safe environment.”
Aqua-Tots Swim School
The “Special Needs Aquatic Program (S.N.A.P.) is designed to create
lessons tailored to each child’s special needs and abilities. This class may
serve children diagnosed with behavioral, developmental, learning, medical
or mental challenges. In this class, your child will work on pre-determined
goals, which may include: increasing motor function, improving balance,
coordination & range of motion, building self-confidence, gaining comfort
in the water and a cohesive social environment, and developing
spatial awareness.”
All Aqua-Tots instructors are also CPR/ First Aid certified and undergo
extensive water safety training before being allowed to teach a class. They
follow a curriculum to help best teach children at their pace instead of their
age. They are open all year round and have availability 7 days a week to
best work with family schedules. They also offer one free class to ensure the
program best fits a child before committing.
9

Swim Angelfish provides Adaptive Swim Lessons,
Aquatic Therapy, an online training program and
certification for aquatic professionals. They also
provide an online resource called the Water
Safety For All Abilities Teaching Resources and
Adaptive Toolkit for families. There are company-run
programs in NY, MA, NH, and CT (the swim
programs link goes to the locations page on the
Swim Angelfish website). In addition, Swim
Whisperers® certified instructors, using the
Swim Whisperers® Methodology, work at swim
programs throughout the United States.
Bear Paddle Swim School offers specialized
group, semi-private, and private swim lessons for
people with disabilities and special needs.
Sunsational Swim School offers instructors,
including those with special needs expertise, who
will travel to a customer’s home pool or meet them
at a community pool. While instruction is available
to individuals with various challenges, there is a
focus on children with autism. “Autism swimming
instructors have experience with kids on the
spectrum and understand the best techniques
to help your child learn to swim and be safe around
the water.” Instructors use visual supports, such
as visual skill cards, to help autistic children process
information and understand what they are asked
to do.
Editor’s Note: The information in this article
was obtained from the website of each of these
organizations, and each was emailed the listing
to review and edit if desired. If you would like a free
list of all the swim program providers in your state,
shoot us an email (info@milestonesmagazine.net)
with the subject line “swimming resource list” and
include your name and state or residence
(e.g., Illinois).
LET’S GO
SWIMMING
10

TENNIS
L O V E
People with divergent abilities often have a difficult (at
best) time participating in recreational activities on an
equal footing with peers. With their competitive nature
(not to mention rules), team sports are a unique “bridge
too far” for people with developmental, cognitive, and
sensory challenges.
Aceing Autism “is on a mission for children with
autism to grow, develop and benefit from social
connections and fitness through affordable tennis
programming, uniquely serving individual needs
while filling a national void for this growing and worthy
population.”
Milestones Magazine is pleased to present this rundown
of organizations supporting adaptive and inclusive
tennis.
“The Bankshot Sports Organization offers many
different family sports, which are non-aggressive
by design. Bankshot Sports are characterized as
Total-Mix inclusion based on Universal Design. Bankshot
Playcourts is unique as a drop-in, walk-on family sport,
leaving no one marginalized to the sidelines.”
“Bankshot Tennis is offered in sets of 3-18 stations,
laid out in various configurations, providing varying
difficulty levels from easy to moderately difficult to quite
maddening - almost undoable! Forever challenging!”
Bankshot courts are used at various locations
throughout the U.S., such as municipal or park district
recreational facilities.
There are community-based program locations
throughout the U.S. Financial support for families is
available through the ACEing Autism Scholarship
program and the Dick’s Sporting Goods Grants program.
Both programs require an online application.
USTA Colorado offers adaptive tennis. “Through a
close partnership with Special Olympics Colorado,
individuals can learn and play tennis in the summer with
opportunities to continue into national and worldwide
competitions and even sanctioned USTA leagues and
tournaments.”
Miracle Sports, based in Tallahassee, FL, sponsors
in-person tennis in the summer. Teams include people
with and without disabilities. Youth and adult leagues
are available, and youth games are held just before the
adult team games.
11

L O V E
Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA),
based in Lake Forest, IL, includes adaptive tennis among
the programs available to members. “Instruction is
provided for intermediate and tournament level
players who are ambulatory or use a manual or
power chair. Players can use a sports chair, which can
be provided.” GLASA Membership is open to “Youth,
Teens, and Adults with Wheelchair, Ambulatory, & Visual
Impairments.”
USTA Kentucky provides education and opportunities
for all ages for wheelchair tennis, including multiple free
wheelchair clinics and wheelchair tennis programs in
some parts of the state.
South Coast Wheelchair Tennis Foundation, based
in the Haverhill, MA area, co-hosts USTA All-Comers
Wheelchair Tennis Training (along with USTA New
England), offers Junior Wheelchair Tennis Initiative
(ages 5-18), wheelchair tennis clinics focused on
people with mobility disabilities, and runs the
Strokes and Stokes program, which brings players,
wheelchairs and more to owners and coaches who
would like to host a clinic or get wheelchair players
into their program.
Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) has partnered
with Special Olympics Maryland to offer weekly clinics
every spring. There is also an adaptive tennis program
for adults 18 and older with physical or psychological
disabilities; this program is also open to active-duty
military and veterans.
S P E C I A L S P O R T S I S S U E
12

BASEBALL
PLAY BALL
Baseball has long been known as America’s
pastime, so the sport often includes children with
disabilities in local programs. Park districts and
organizations like the YMCA and JCC offer
adaptive/inclusive programs.
Milestones Magazine is pleased to present
this rundown of organizations that provide
recreational baseball for children. All the
organizations listed here are active in
multiple states.
The Miracle League exists to provide children
with disabilities the chance to play Miracle
League baseball, “Promote community support
and sponsorship of Miracle Leagues,” and
“promote the construction of special facilities
that meet the unique needs of Miracle League
players and their families.”
Families looking for a Miracle League nearby
can call (770-760-1933) or email Stephanie
Davis at the corporate office. Stephanie is also
the contact person for community leaders who
would like to build a specially designed Miracle
League field and program in their area.
13

Beep Baseball: Beep Baseball provides people
who are blind or have visual impairment the
opportunity to play adaptive baseball. Teams
are active in the cities of Atlanta, Austin, San
Antonio, Houston, Fort Worth, Abilene, College
Station (TX), Tyler (TX), Boston, West Palm Beach
(FL), Philadelphia, Cape Girardeau (MO),
Chicago, Cleveland, St. Louis, Indianapolis,
St. Paul, Oklahoma City, Pasadena, Stockton
(CA), East Windsor (NJ), Matawan (NJ), Rockville
Centre (NY), and regionally in Northeast U.S.
and Southwest U.S. Adaptive Sports Iowa also
sponsors a team, The Iowa Reapers, which
practices at a middle school in Des Moines.
BEEP Baseball is headquartered in Glenview, IL.
The organization mirrors Major League Baseball
with a World Series and a Hall of Fame.
“The League of Dreams is an adaptive sports
league giving every child a chance to play by
providing sports training, team camaraderie,
and competitive sporting opportunities to
athletes ages 5 to 22 with physical,
developmental, and cognitive disabilities.
In 2012, with the help of county supervisor
Mike Maggard and many other donors and
community members, the League of Dreams
opened Abilities Field, the first adaptive baseball
field in Bakersfield (CA) at Fruitvale Norris Park. In
2013, League of Dreams, with the help of a grant
from the Adaptive Arthritis Associate, assisted
with building the accessible playground in front
of the baseball field.”
USA Wheelchair Softball oversees more than
“forty adult and junior teams of men, women,
boys, and girls of all ages in the United States.”
Tournaments are held in various U.S. locations,
such as Chicago, Kansas City, MO, Minneapolis,
MN, Pasadena, TX, and Columbus, OH.
Miracle Sports, based in Tallahassee, FL,
sponsors in-person baseball in the springtime.
Teams include people with and without
disabilities. Youth and adult leagues are
available, and youth games are held just
before the adult team games.
14

S O C C E R
After baseball, soccer is the most popular recreational sport in this country (we don’t have soccer
moms for nothing, do we?). As with all sports and other recreational opportunities, people with physical,
sensory, or other challenges often have difficulty participating.
Milestones Magazine is pleased to present this rundown of adaptive / inclusive soccer programs
across the U.S.
TopSoccer, sponsored by U.S. Youth Soccer, Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association
partners with member clubs nationwide to provide (GLASA), based in Lake Forest, IL, includes
adaptive/inclusive soccer programs for children power soccer (a sport specifically designed for
with disabilities. “US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer power wheelchair users) among the programs
(The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a
available to members.” Teams are available at the
community-based training and team placement recreational (beginning) and competitive levels for
program for young athletes with disabilities,
teens and adults. Power Soccer is played indoors
organized by youth soccer association
on a gym floor using power wheelchairs “equipped
volunteers. The program is designed to bring with specially designed ‘guards’ to advance the
the opportunity to learn and play soccer to any ball down the court.” GLASA Membership is open
boy or girl, ages 6-18, with a mental or
to “Youth, Teens, and Adults with Wheelchair,
physical disability.”
Ambulatory, & Visual Impairments.”
The American Amputee Soccer Association The Disabled Athlete Sports Association,
sponsors national and regional teams in Colorado, based in St. Louis & Columbia, MO areas,
Columbus, OH, the Mid-Atlantic states, the Long includes power soccer among its programs.
Island/NYC Metro area, New England, Southern Power soccer players use a power soccer chair,
California, and Texas. There are programs for which is a specially designed power wheelchair
women and youth, along with the men’s division. able to go up to 6mph and equipped with a front
bumper guard used to dribble, pass, and shoot
an oversized soccer ball.
SOCCER IS TOPS

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16

GOLF
IN THE SWING OF THINGS
17

Milestones Magazine is pleased to present a
rundown of organizations that provide adaptive
and inclusive golf.
Higher Ground, based in Ketchum, ID, includes
adaptive golf among the recreational activities it
offers in the spring and summer.
“Marty Turcios Therapeutic Golf provides free
therapeutic recreation to anyone with a
disability using the latest high-tech equipment.”
This Augusta, GA-based organization “treats
veterans with Traumatic Brain Injuries, teens and
adults with autism, Down’s syndrome and other
severe disabilities such as amputees and stroke
survivors,” and people with mental health
challenges. Founder Marty Turcios has personal
experience with Cerebral Palsy and speech &
mobility impairments and designed the program
to meet those challenges for him and others.
The Special Olympics Unified Sports® program
(including golf) “ promotes social inclusion
through shared sports training and competition
experiences. It joins people with and without
intellectual disabilities who play and compete
on the same team. It was inspired by a simple
principle: training together and playing together
is the quickest path to friendship and
understanding.”
I Got This Foundation, located in Glendale, AZ,
provides golf instruction, playing opportunities,
and organized events for people with Down
Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities.
The foundation can be a stepping stone for them
to compete in leagues with typical peers, join
high school teams, and get athletic college
scholarships.
“Founder Amy Bockerstette is a collegiate
golfer, and disabilities advocate with Down
Syndrome. She is the first person with Down
Syndrome to receive an athletic scholarship
to attend college.
On May 20, 2021, Amy made history by becoming
the first person with Down syndrome to compete
in a national collegiate championship.”
Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association
(GLASA), based in Lake Forest, IL, includes
adaptive golf among the programs available to
members, who are provided with “golf clubs,
instruction, and adaptive golf carts to make the
sport of golf accessible to all.” Membership is open
to “Youth, Teens, and Adults with Wheelchair,
Ambulatory, & Visual Impairments.”
“The CDGA Foundation utilizes the game of golf
to enhance the lives of individuals with special
needs, veterans, and youth.” The foundation
operates The Sunshine Through Golf Camp
Program, The Youth on Course Program (with
locations nationwide), and a Veterans Program.
“The camp program is a partnership between
PGA Professionals, CDGA member clubs, Special
Recreation Associations, Private Agencies or Park
Districts, and the CDGA Foundation.”
“The CDGA and CDGA Foundation partnered
with Youth on Course in 2016.” Youth on Course
is active in all 50 U.S. states and Canada. The
organization subsidizes rounds for 6-18 members,
ensuring they can play for $5 or less.”
The National Alliance for Accessible Golf, based
in Bloomington, IN, offers a search function on
its website for people with physical, sensory,
developmental, or specific disabilities looking
for facilities with particular features, such as
dedicated individual or group instruction. They
also provide grants to adaptive golf programs
across the country.
The Disabled Athlete Sports Association, based
in areas of St. Louis & Columbia, MO, includes
adaptive golf among its programs. Modifications
to the instruction can be made, as well as to the
equipment and adapted techniques for the
golf swing itself.
Golf 4 The Disabled, based in Englewood, CO, is
dedicated to “bringing recreational golf therapy to
those with disabilities to learn and enjoy the game
of golf!” It offers clinics at Broken Tee Golf Course.
18

F I S H I N G
LET’S GO FISHING
Fishing is a popular pastime, particularly during
the summer. Wherever two drops of water get
together (o.k., slightly more than two drops,
but you catch my drift), you see people out
with their rods & reels, out to catch their dinner,
if possible. Adaptive/inclusive fishing programs/
events seek to offer these opportunities to
people with challenges.
Milestones Magazine is pleased to provide this
sample of programs across the country.
Fishing Has No Boundaries is a non-profit,
educational, 501 (C) (3) charitable and training
organization. Bobby Cammack founded Fishing
Has No Boundaries®, Inc. after he broke his leg,
and as a result, had difficulty continuing with
fishing, for which he has a particular passion.
He spent years researching and planning,
and the first Fishing Has No Boundaries event
was held in 1988 at Hayward, WI. Fishing Has No
Boundaries is available to all people with
disabilities regardless of age, race, gender,
and severity of disability. It has many chapters
throughout the United States, including Capital
City in Chatham, IL, and Colorado Springs
in Colorado Springs, CO. People can connect to
a local chapter through the national website.
Telluride (CO) Adaptive Sports includes fishing
as one of the recreational activities it provides.
TASP organizes fishing trips for people of all
ability levels. All fishing gear is included. Fishing
locations range from privately stocked ponds to
larger lakes and reservoirs.
The Adaptive Outdoor Education Center,
based in Brunswick, ME, includes the Horizons
Fly Fishing program (in collaboration with
Confluence Collective) among its activities.
There is a 6-week program that meets weekly
and winds up with a fly-fishing retreat and
a half-day program at a local lake with fishers
accompanied by certified Maine Guides.
Editor’s Note: The information in this article
was obtained from the website of each of these
organizations, and each was emailed the
listing to review and edit if desired. If you would
like a free list of all the adaptive/inclusive sports
program providers in your state, shoot us
an email (info@milestonesmagazine.net) with
the subject line “adaptive/inclusive sports
resource list” and include your name and state or
residence (e.g., Illinois).
19

MILESTONES
MAGAZINE
Is Pleased
to Announce
Our
EVENTS
Adaptive Swim:
Unleashing Potential through Inclusive Waters
Friday, June 16, 2023 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM (CDT)
Hosted by Dr. McKenzie Schneider, Adaptive Swim Coach & Aquatic Therapist
Event will be live on eventbrite!
Join us for an engaging and informative virtual event on June 16th where Milestones
Magazine and Bridge to Independence partner up to provide valuable insights into
adaptive swim programs for individuals with disabilities. Led by an experienced adaptive
swim coach and aquatic therapist, Dr. McKenzie Schneider, this free event aims to educate
families about the benefits and opportunities these specialized programs offer. Don’t
miss this chance to dive into a world of possibilities for your loved ones and clients.
Unified Sports: Is it for you?
Come join us for this discussion!
Friday, June 30, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM (CDT)
Hosted by Brian Browne, Director of the Aceing Autism Tennis Program
Event will be live on eventbrite!
Unified Sports is one approach to including people with divergent abilities in sports
programs on an equal footing (so to speak) with their “typically developing” peers.
Brian Browne, director of the Aceing Autism Tennis Program at Laguna Creek High
School in Elk Grove, California, will fill us in about Unified Sports.
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20

S P E C I A L S P O R T S I S S U E
ADVENTURE
The desire for adventure is in the blood of some people at one time or another, and
people with disabilities are no exception.
Milestones Magazine is pleased to present this rundown of organizations that provide
adaptive recreation, including indoor and outdoor climbing, cycling, mountain biking,
kayaking, sailing, scuba diving, and other recreational activities.
Waypoint Adventure, based in Lexington, MA, includes adaptive
hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing among its activities and programs.
“Waypoint Adventure uses quality experiential and adventure-based
education programs to transform the lives of individuals with disabilities.
We work with school groups, social service organizations, families, and
individuals to offer custom-designed adventures that meet the goals
and objectives of that group or person. We believe every person should experience the
dignity of risk and community benefits.”
Catalyst Sports, which offers indoor and outdoor rock climbing, adaptive cycling,
mountain biking, and adaptive kayaking, is active throughout the Southeastern U.S.,
including Birmingham, AL, Huntsville AL, Asheville NC, Raleigh/Durham NC, Atlanta GA,
Kennesaw GA; Chattanooga TN, Knoxville TN, Nashville TN, Louisville KY, and Alexandria
VA (Greater DC area). Not all activities are available at all locations.
21
THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE

Lakewood Adaptive Watersports Foundation is
based in Locust Grove, VA; events are held at Lake
of the Woods, VA. The foundation hosts Adaptive
Kayaking and Waterskiing for children and the Smiles
Adaptive Carnival.
Challenged Athletes Foundation provides grants
to athletes to cover the costs of equipment and
other necessities for them to participate in sports.
“Since 1994, CAF has raised more than $159M and
funded over 44,000 grant requests from people
with physical disabilities in all 50 states and 70
countries across 104+ sports.” Among the events
in which they are involved are a CAF Mountain
Bike Clinic in Boise, ID (May 27-29, 2023) and a CAF
Idaho Cycling Club Launch on May 6, 2023.
Sail Inc., based in Alaska, “provides many
recreation opportunities. Rain or shine, we offer
hiking, biking, and kayaking opportunities, as
well as biweekly outings for youth and adults
that include: fishing, zip-lining, whale watching,
camping, rock climbing, horseback riding,
rafting, outdoor art, and swimming. ORCA also
offers two inclusive youth day camps for youth
7-18yrs. Overnight trips and campouts include tent
and cabin camping in the Tongass National Forest and
multi-day trips throughout Alaska, Northern
Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, and the Lower 48 States.”
22

The U.S. Blind Tandem Cycling Connection
focuses on individuals who are visually impaired or
blind to introduce them to the sport of tandem
cycling. They serve as a resource to link blind and
visually impaired cyclists with sighted cyclists,
educate people about tandem cycling, pass on
information about tandem cycling clubs, events, and
opportunities, and address the needs of the blind
tandem cycling community.
Adaptive Adventures, based in Westminster, CO,
serves children, adults, and veterans.
“The Adaptive Sports for Kids (ASK) Program offers
year-round recreational and competitive sports
opportunities for children and youth ages 6 to 20
with physical disabilities.”
For adults, Adaptive Adventures “champions
Freedom through Mobility.” Programs feature
“cutting-edge adaptive equipment, experienced
staff, volunteers, and coaches.”
“AAMO (Adaptive Adventure Military Operations)
provides injured veterans and active-duty military
the opportunity to return to the level of fitness and
activity that they had before being wounded.”
Team Paradise, based in Miami, “is a truly
unique sailing organization that provides sailing
opportunities and education for everyone at
all levels of ability, including our disabled and
under-served communities and US veterans.”
Freedom Waters Foundation, based in Naples &
Ft Lauderdale, partners with Collier County Parks
and Recreation to teach people with disabilities
to sail. Activities and events take place on the
lake at Sugden Regional Park in Naples; program
participants can also join in on the Murdo Smith
Adaptive Sailing Regatta.
Poseidon Handicap Scuba Adventures is
dedicated “to improving the physical and
social well-being of people with disabilities by
teaching underwater educational programs to
disabled individuals utilizing the Handicap
Scuba Association guidelines.”
Access Surf in Hawaii offers an Adaptive
Surfing clinic, a quarterly program where 4-6
surfers are provided individualized and
specialized coaching by volunteers.
23

A D V E N T U R E
Higher Ground, based in Ketchum, ID, offers
adaptive hiking, indoor climbing, bocce, and golf in
the spring and summer.
Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA),
based in Lake Forest, IL, includes adaptive sailing,
kayaking, and water-skiing among the programs
available to members.
“GLASA partners with the Judd Goldman Adaptive
Sailing Program (JGASP) to offer this program. JGASP
includes classroom and on-water instruction in the
Freedom 20’s sailboat.”
H2O Adaptive Sports conducts the waterski
program. Sit skis, stand-up skis, and other adaptive
equipment are available.
GLASA membership is open to “Youth, Teens,
and Adults with Wheelchair, Ambulatory, and
Visual Impairments.”
Underwater Safaris, based in Chicago, IL, offers
adaptive scuba diving. Owner Marianne Preker
is an “a Handicapped Scuba Association
Instructor and HSA Course Director. Our program
for disabled divers received international
acclaim.”
Chesapeake Regional Accessible Boating
(CRAB), based in the Chesapeake Bay, MD,
offers adaptive sailing. “The Adaptive Boating
Center is open year-round, with a 16-slip floating
dock marina, increased adaptive boarding
equipment for guests (Hoyer lifts and transfer
slides), an open-air pavilion, and a 2,600 sq. ft
learning center, all built to exceed ADA standards.
Certification courses, sailing and boating
training, and therapy courses for people with
disabilities will be incorporated into CRAB’s
existing sailing programs and will continue to
be offered free of charge.”
THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE 24

MILESTONES MAGAZINE
HELPING
Individuals with Disabilities and Their Families
Achieve and Celebrate
Events and Milestones in their Lives
SPECIAL SPORTS ISSUE
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