Children's Special: 10 Sports Activities Designed For Kids With Disabilities

Kids with disabilities, despite being physically challenged, should not be excluded from sporting activities.

Hobbies chosen to accommodate physically challenged children enable them to enjoy physical activity and social interaction in their own unique way.

These activities can include various sports that are adapted for individuals with disabilities such as impaired motor functions, vision, and hearing.

For example, basketball for those with physical disabilities, seated volleyball, and blind soccer.

Why Kids with Disabilities Need to be Included in Sporting Activities

Kids with disabilities are considered special. Most therefore deal with issues relating to social interactions.

These activities provide valuable opportunities for inclusion, physical development, and social interaction.

In addition to enhancing the social aspect, extracurricular activities help to develop teamwork, resilience, and individualism while also improving health and self-esteem.

Sporting Programs for Kids with disabilities

There are special sports programs and camps for kids with disabilities. These sports programs cater to each child’s specific disabilities, providing equal opportunities for all to participate and enjoy the benefits of sports.

All children, including those with disabilities, should have the opportunity to take part in inclusive sports, where they can recognize their abilities, make friends, and live active lives.

The programs designed for children with disabilities include various types of sports activities that have a positive impact on the child’s development.

10 Sporting Activities for Kids with Disabilities

1. Swimming for the Disabled

These are swimming lessons tailored for children with disabilities.

Here, different techniques and equipment, such as floats or other supportive gear, are used compared to regular swimming classes.

2. Wheelchair Basketball

This game uses special wheelchairs to enable children with mobility impairments to participate in all basketball activities.

3. Goalball

This sport is designed for children who are blind or partially sighted.

In this game, a ball containing bells is used. Thus, requiring players to rely on their sense of touch and body orientation.

4. Sled Hockey

This is a modified version of ice hockey for kids with movement impairments.

In this sport, kids with disabilities use sledges with blades to manoeuvre on the ice and play the game.

5. Boccia

A target sport played in pairs or teams of three, similar to boules or petanque, meant for children with severe physical disabilities who may use a wheelchair or other mobility aids to participate.

6. Wheelchair Tennis

Similar to tennis, but with modified rules and equipment to accommodate children with mobility impairments who play the game from a wheelchair, emphasising hand-eye coordination and movement.

7. Para-Rowing

Rowing activities are adapted for kids with physical disabilities so they can participate in this total-body exercise.

8. Blind Soccer

Soccer for visually impaired children involves a soccer ball containing a bell, with players guided by sounds from their teammates and trainers.

9. Power Soccer

Soccer for children with severe physical disabilities, with players manoeuvring their electric wheelchairs on the soccer field and competing in fast-paced games.