Searching for Sport For People With Disabilites

Year-round sport training and competition for children and adults with an intellectual disability

• currently offers 14 sports: 5 and 10 pin bowling, alpine and Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, curling, floor hockey, swimming, basketball, track and field, soccer, golf, bocce, and softball
• weekly sport training sessions are organized by volunteer coaches

Active Start and Fundamentals are available for 2-6 and 7-12 year-olds

Special Olympics provides opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to develop physical fitness, sport skills and social connections through participation in a variety of Olympic-type sport clubs.

The administrative district provides strategic program and community development support for local community chapters. Central Ontario is one of seven Districts of Special Olympics Ontario.

Hockey which both people who are able-bodied and people with a disability can play

• regular hockey rules apply
• teams participate in tournaments
• has a competitive league
• member of Ontario Sledge Hockey Association
• sledges may be borrowed for skating (eg family skates, skating parties, school electives, contact

This local branch of Special Olympics Ontario provides sports activities for athletes with intellectual disabilities in the area. Activities include a variety of indoor and outdoor sports including bowling, basketball, soccer, softball, and bocce. Active Start and Fundamentals are offered for ages 2-6 and 7-12.

New sports may be added depending on volunteer availability.

Athletes participate at local, district, provincial, national and world levels.

Provides specialized kayaking and canoeing programs for all ages and abilities.

• Offers adaptive recreation with inclusive paddle sport and empowers people with disabilities through adaptive paddling
• ORCKA (Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association) training and Paddle Canada Certifications for all ages
• Encourages volunteerism and trains volunteers

Fundraising events in Alliston include:

• Hands Across the Water - annual fundraiser event Sponsor a Paddler or paddle yourself
• Great Shoreline Cleanup - Earl Rowe Shoreline clean up

Registered charity 813487428 RR0001

Special Olympics Orillia provides athletes with an intellectual disability the opportunity to experience and succeed in sports.

Special Olympians gain self-confidence and transfer the success from the playing field to become more active citizens in society. Summer sports offered:

• softball
• track and field
• tee-ball
• golf
• soccer

Winter sports offered:

• 5-pin bowling
• curling
• figure skating
• basketball
• floor hockey
• swimming

Maximizes functionality of all people regardless of age and ability, and provides opportunities for people with disabilities by bridging gap between funding and services

Programs and Services

• attendant care funding
• orthotics and prosthetics
• physiotherapy and suit therapy
• provides information on modifications for home accessibility
• estate planning workshops
• martial arts

Special Olympics athletes participate at local, regional, provincial, national and even world levels in a variety of indoor and outdoor sports on a weekly basis with volunteer coaches.

Locally available sports include

• 5-pin bowling (both in Penetanguishene and Midland)
• floor hockey
• curling
• softball
• snowshoeing
• t-ball
• bocce

COVID-19 -- check website for information and updates on how facilities and programs may be affected by current public health situation; proof of vaccination and capacity limits have been lifted but face mask requirement remains in place for most services


Inclusion programs for those with special needs

• sledge hockey instructional program to build skills and team work; sledges provided, regular hockey gear required
• volt hockey, accessible hockey played using specially designed sport chair; for those with limited upper body mobility
• wheelchair basketball
• swimming and aquatics
• camps and special events
• opportunity to try any inclusion sport program before registering

Hockey for individuals with a developmental disability

Divided by skill level not age or gender

Provides a variety of indoor and outdoor sports such as basketball, bowling, alpine skiing, athletics, Nordic skiing, figure skating, curling, swimming, floor hockey and softball. Clubs train weekly in their sport season. Athletes compete at the regional level and may have opportunities to advance to Provincial or National Games. Volunteerism and fundraising are key components of program success. Additional programs such as for youth may be developed.

A club offering junior sailing school, adult learn to sail program and Able Sail program with wheelchair accessible boats.

Promotes sport training and competition opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Provides opportunities for individuals to:

• develop physical fitness
• demonstrate courage
• experience success
• develop skills
• create friendships with their families, other Special Olympic athletes and the community

Activities include a variety of indoor and outdoor sports, such as:

• swimming
• basketball
• curling
• softball
• bocce

Athletes participate at local, regional, provincial, national and world levels

Call for more information

Jewish community centre and hub in culturally sensitive environment; programs for children, youth, adults, and families; community-based Inclusion Services; visit website for program schedule

• fitness and health programs, including swimming, personal training and classes
• recreation and art programs
• health and mental health workshops
• trips and tours
• child care and preschool, see separate listing

COVID19 -- for COVID service updates, call or visit website


Support and friendship programs for individuals with special needs and their families and caregivers

Friends@Home pairs teenage volunteers with children and youth with special needs for weekly home visits

Recreation

• Mom's Night Out
• Sunday Circle -- respite for caregivers while children, youth and young adults with special needs enjoy inclusive recreation program
• buddy baseball
• education and awareness
• Jewish holiday events

Promotes sports training and competition opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Provides opportunities for individuals to:

• develop physical fitness
• demonstrate courage
• experience success
• develop skills and friendship with their families, other special Olympic athletes and the community

Activities include a variety of indoor and outdoor sports including:

• alpine skiing
• 5-pin bowling
• basketball
• curling
• golf

Athletes participate at local, regional, provincial, national and world levels.

Community centre includes fitness and recreation, nursery school and licensed child care, day camp and after school programs, and arthritis education program

Cultural, social, education and recreation programs

• health and fitness
• open registration social clubs
• hobby groups
• performing and nonperforming arts
• seniors club
• holiday events

Fitness, recreation and social programs for singles, families, persons with physical and developmental disabilities

• Multiple Sclerosis Support and Fitness Group
• Stroke Recovery Group
• Parkinson's Support Group

A world-wide charitable organization dedicated to promoting a more active and better quality of life for people who have an intellectual disability, through their involvement in sport.

• Year round sports programs for athletes with an intellectual disability are offered.
• New athletes are always welcome, and volunteers are essential to the programs.
• The sports of 5-pin bowling, curling and softball are offered. Sports like swimming and bocce can be pursued.

COVID19 -- Program suspended - may start in September 2022

Adapted swim program for children with special needs, to encourage safety as well as fun

• each child is assisted by a volunteer on a one-to-one basis
• 15 minute instruction time at each class, followed by practise and play time in the water

COVID19

• visit website for list of current changes and closures including visiting policies
• expanded virtual programming

Pediatric rehabilitation and complex continuing care hospital

Inpatient Services

• brain injury rehabilitation
• specialized orthopedic and developmental rehabilitation (SODR)
• complex continuing care

Outpatient Services

• augmentative and alternative communication
• brain injury rehabilitation, concussion centre
• child development
• clinical seating
• creative arts and music therapy
• dental clinic - by referral by physician or dentist only
• Get Up and Go - pediatric pain service
• feeding
• orthotics, prosthetics and myoelectrics
• respite
• snoezelen rooms for inpatients and the community
• spinal cord services
• swim programs
• therapeutic recreation and life skills
• youth engagement and employment programs

Early Learning and Development

• infant and child development consultation and early intervention
• consultative support to childcare centres on programming, occupational therapy and school transitions
• 2 nursery schools -- see separate entries

Adult Services

• orthotics
• orthotics, prosthetics and myoelectrics
• swim programs

Programs, services, support and assistance for Canadians living with a disability * most services and programs administered by provincial Easter Seals * includes:

• assistive and adaptive technology - financial assistance and direct programs to ensure Canadians with disability have access to essential technology
• education and training - includes employment training and services, scholarships and bursaries and life skills programs
• sport, recreation and leisure programs - includes activities such as sledge hockey, wheelchair basketball, swimming and more
• rehabilitative and occupational therapy
• residential and respite programs - available in Vancouver, Edmonton and Montreal
• summer camps - 14 specialized camps across Canada for children
  

Disability Travel Card - Program for people with a permanent disability which offers a discounted ticket for their support person when traveling with Via Rail Canada, and Coach Canada

Access 2 Program - Program for people with a permanent disability which offers free admission for their support person to movie theatres, cultural attractions and recreation facilities

Advocates and promotes respect, acceptance, inclusion and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities through sports

Sports training recreational and competitive programs * basketball, bocce, bowling, curling, floor hockey, golf, powerlifting, rhythmic gymnastics, skating (speed and figure), skiing (nordic and alpine), snowshoeing, soccer, softball, swimming, track and field * coach training * volunteer instruction * competition on local, provincial, national and international basis

Ice hockey league for children and adults with developmental challenges

Community Hub programming for parents and children and youth through traditional media and the use of technology

Programs include:

• accessible technology training
• advocacy resources
• child and youth programming
• peer support sessions
• cultural specific programming and resources
• recreational activities
• sports activities

Services and Programs:

• Canadian National Institute for the Blind - Come To Work