Written By Mobility Expert Margaret Sellars for mobilitydeck.com
No person should be limited by their circumstances. And the fact that someone is a wheelchair user doesn’t mean they cannot enjoy the fun and competitive nature of sports.
Today, almost every sport has been adapted to be played by wheelchair users and persons with different kinds of disabilities. From recreational wheelchair basketball leagues to the highly competitive Paralympics, there is something out there for anyone at any level.
Despite this, 7 out of 10 people living with a disability want to be more active. So, in this article, we present the top accessible sports for wheelchair users. These are all popular adapted sports with a wide range of associations and organizations prepared to assist beginners.
Beyond the fun these sports provide, they have also been proven to help improve the health and self-esteem of those with disabilities. So check out our list, and we hope you can find a wheelchair sport that works for you!
In This Article
10 Accessible Wheelchair Sports
1. Wheelchair Basketball
After being founded in 1956, wheelchair basketball has grown to become the most popular accessible sport for wheelchair users.
Wheelchair basketball has leagues and competitions around the world. The sport combines power and precision as the court, and the height of the basket remain the same as in regular basketball.
Players of wheelchair basketball use adapted chairs with two large cambered (angled) wheels for speed, ergonomics, and mobility.
Despite this, the sport is always open to new players. As a team game, it inspires a sense of comradery, one not found in solo sports. It helps that wheelchair basketball has a significant fan following and a major international body (the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation) that manages and promotes the game worldwide.
2. Wheelchair Rugby
Also known as “murderball” (yikes) and quad rugby, wheelchair rugby is another major team sport for those with mobility impairments.
Like wheelchair basketball, rugby has a significant following across the world. It is a featured sport during the Paralympic Games with a range of amazing international teams that play – including New Zealand’s All Blacks spinoff: The Wheel Blacks!
Wheelchair rugby first came about in the late 1970s in Winnipeg, Canada, for persons with quadriplegia, but it has developed a lot since then.
Currently, it plays as a heavy contact sport combining aspects of hockey, basketball, and volleyball. Each team has six players and the game is typically played indoors on a hardwood court.
Like wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby is a welcoming sport for beginners. So, if you’re interested in getting involved, check the sport’s core managing body: The International Wheelchair Rugby Federation.