An adapted sport is a sport that may be a modified form of an existing sport or one that may be specifically catered to meet the needs of people with disabilities. The three general categories of adapted sports are the deaf, intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities.

In British Columbia, a number of organizations have adapted sports programs for people with disabilities. For example, the BC Wheelchair Association ( BCWA) offers a wide array of wheelchair sports such as basketball, tennis, floor hockey, rugby, and curling for those who have physical disabilities. (A few years ago, I tried wheelchair tennis but found it too challenging as I do not use a wheelchair and therefore do not have the required upper body strength.) Another association, Power To Be, offers adapted recreational activities ( rock climbing, hiking, kayaking, canoeing and skiing) in both Victoria and Vancouver. The British Columbia Blind Sports and Recreation Association offers recreational activities like ice hockey and ice skating, non- Paralympic competitive sports like dragon boating and lawn bowling and Paralympics sports (ex. goalball, tandem cycling) for the visually impaired. Likewise, BC Deaf Sports Federation (BCDSF) has various types of sports (ex. cross country skiing, darts, golf) for those who are deaf and hard-of-hearing. 

Three things that I look forward to attempting in the future are handcycling (a type of bike on which you pedal with your arms), sailing and hitting the slopes of Whistler or Grouse Mountain. The Disabled Sailing Association of British Columbia has sailing programs for persons with physical disabilities that run each summer. Every winter, the Whistler Adaptive Ski & Snowboard Program and Whistler Adaptive Sports Program ( WASP) organize skiing and snowboarding programs that enable individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities to experience the slopes of Whistler Blackcomb. At Grouse Mountain, the adapted ski program is coordinated by Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports ( VASS). 

Some of our local bowling alleys now have bowling ramps to accommodate persons with disabilities. The player with a disability can position the ramp in the direction he or she wants to roll the ball into before rolling the ball off the ramp. For those teachers that may be looking to accommodate students with disabilities in gym classes, depending on the extent of the student's disability, they can incorporate some of the Paralympic games into their curriculum. For instance, my high school gym teacher used to set up a sitting volleyball (a game played during the summer Paralympics) station in order to accommodate me during volleyball games. In situations where she could not accommodate me, I played other sports such as Boccia. 

Thus, having a disability does not prevent one from being athletic. Instead, you just have to find a sport that best fits your needs. 

Source: Times of India