The Adaptive Sports Institute

Accessing Health and Wellness Activities with a Disability: The Adaptive Sports Institute Offers a One-Stop Shop

The Adaptive Sports Institute’s vision is to be the preeminent interdisciplinary resource for creating, developing, and maintaining a culture that supports athletic performance, creates recreational opportunities, and promotes health and wellness for all individuals.

The Adaptive Sports Institute is a volunteer based interdisciplinary program bringing The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and the Ohio State College of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation, and community partners together to make it easier for people with disabilities to engage in recreational and sports activities.

The Adaptive Sports Institute’s vision is to be the preeminent interdisciplinary resource for creating, developing, and maintaining a culture that supports athletic performance, creates recreational opportunities, and promotes health and wellness for all individuals.

The Adaptive Sports Institute hosts a monthly committee meeting to provide an overview of the opportunities for engagement for individuals with disabilities throughout Central Ohio. Committee members represent the full continuum of rehabilitation services at OSU, rehabilitation teammates from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and The OSU Division of Health and Rehabilitation Science student leaders. Each month, the committee discusses the following topics ensuring community partners have volunteers and support to provide services.

  • Athlete Interviews: featured athletes to share the power of sports and recreation in their lives.
  • Adapted Sports: amputee soccer, wheelchair rugby, rowing, cycling, sled hockey/adaptive hockey, wheelchair basketball, yoga, track and field, and aquatics/swimming.
  • Community events, specialty classes, and upcoming clinics
  • Research Updates
  • Funding Options
  • Equipment Options

The Adaptive Sports Institute maintains a public calendar providing community members with one location to find all adapted sports opportunities. The Adaptive Sports Institute’s webpage provides links to resources, funding, and equipment for individuals engaging in sports and recreational activities.

What should I do if I want to play an adaptive sport?

Head to the Adaptive Sports Institute public calendar to find current adapted sports opportunities. Click on date and sport you are interested in playing. A pop-up window will indicate details about the event including who the event is for, where the group meets, and contact information. Complete any participation links and reach out to the sport coordinator to let them know you are planning on joining that event.

What happens if Central Ohio does not have access to an adaptive sport or class & there is a community interest?

The Adaptive Sports Institute creates the programming. This recently occurred with amputee soccer! Reach out to theresa.berner@osumc.edu if a sport is not listed but you are interested in Central Ohio having access to that sport.

How do I get involved with The Adaptive Sports Institute?

  • The Adaptive Sports Institute is consistently looking to engage committed OSU teammates as committee members and community members as volunteers. To join the committee, email the chair, Theresa Berner, OTR/L, ATP, via theresa.berner@osumc.edu.
  • To volunteer, head to the community calendar and choose the activity you are interested in, the information section includes the coordinator’s contact information.

For further information on the Adaptive Sports Institute: