Sports and Recreation

teen with down's syndrome doing yoga with her dog

Teens tell us...

"Sports are really important to me, that's where I make my friends and challenge myself."

"Even if I am not good at physical things I can still be an artist, poet, or an actor."

"If I couldn't ride my horse, I don't know what I would do."

"There is more to life than school and family. Sometimes I want to do something because it is fun, or different, not because it will give me a good grade or make my dad happy."

With support, kids with disabilities or special health needs can take part in all of the same activities typical kids enjoy. Look for activities for them like you would for any child. If your child would prefer to participate in activities with others who experience special health needs, consider some of the programs below.

Easter Seals: activities for people with disabilities.

Special Olympics: sports for people with disabilities.

State parks, recreation sites, and accessibility information

OR F2F HIC: Consider Camp List

Theme Park: Morgan's Wonderland

National Parks Lifetime Access Pass, free lifetime pass to all federal lands

Oregon Talking Books: free audio books

Adaptive Sports Northwest: equipment, team, and individual sports

Oregon Adaptive Sports : outdoor recreation

If you are looking at camps or travel for the first time check out this helpful guide for teens: Planning Time Away From Home for Teens with Special Needs

Disclaimer

Inclusion of resources on our site does not imply endorsement nor does exclusion mean we do not think it is valuable. We work to keep our list of resources current and relevant but it is not exhaustive.