Sports and physical activity are such an important part of childhood.
Through movement, kids learn about the world and develop self-confidence. Sports teach social skills, the importance of teamwork, and persistence. That’s in addition to all of the physical benefits of sports. Skills learned from sports are transferred into every area of life.
Sports and activities are just as important for kids with differences and disabilities. They improve mental, physical, and emotional health, as well as independence and resilience.
Multiple local organizations help kids of all abilities get out moving and playing in our beautiful state. Here are some Albuquerque organizations providing adaptive sports programs and inclusive movement options so every child can play, move, and have fun.
Adaptive Sports Program New Mexico
Adaptive Sports Program New Mexico has offered therapeutic recreational activities to children and adults with disabilities since 1985. Today, ASPNM offers a wide variety of adaptive sports year-round, including skiing, snowboarding, watersports, river rafting, yoga, rock climbing, and more. Programs are open to children and adults with disabilities at locations across New Mexico.
AYSO EPIC Program
The mission of the AYSO EPIC is to provide athletes with disabilities the additional support they need to fully participate in a quality soccer experience. Volunteer buddies help athletes participate and excel in this wonderful program.
Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation
The Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation provides adaptive programs, resources, and assistance so children with permanent disabilities can discover their independence and creativity despite their physical limitations. Year-round opportunities include an annual summer camp, adaptive camping, archery, boating, and more.
Keshet Dance Company
Everyone can dance! Keshet classes are available to all levels, ages, and abilities, with mixed ability/adaptive dance classes for ages 6 and older.
Lobo Little League Challenger Division
Lobo Little League Challenger Division offers disabled children the opportunity to play youth baseball on a real team, to learn the game, and to create lasting friendships. No score is kept. Every player is a winner. Everyone has a turn at bat, advances through the bases, and takes a turn in the outfield. The wide range of abilities of Challenger participants will necessitate variations not only in the rules, but also in the philosophy of conventional baseball.
Mountain Dojo
Mountain Dojo exists to provide an inclusive, creative space for people with and without disabilities to connect through art, movement, employment, and community projects. It aims to set up sustainable systems so teens are able to take classes and learn new skills free of barriers.
Nose to Toes Yoga
Nose to Toes Yoga Studio Owner, Liz Fitzgerald, is an experienced Kids Yoga Teacher, who guides kids in summer camps, afterschool classes, birthday parties, private and group classes. In this studio, kids of all abilities learn to bend and stretch to build strength, flexibility, and focus.
Special Olympics New Mexico
Special Olympics New Mexico works towards building inclusive communities, transforming lives through sport, and improving the quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities. Through programs in sports, health, education, and leadership, Special Olympics is creating a world where each person is included, respected, and celebrated for their abilities.
Albuquerque Sled Hockey
Sled (also known as “sledge”) hockey is the same game you know but designed to accommodate our disabled community here in Albuquerque and surrounding communities. The wonderful thing about Sled Hockey is that anyone can play. This sport is played by women and men, youth and adults. It is a sport that totally integrates players with mobility limitations and able-bodied people with knee, leg, or hip injuries that limit their participation in traditional hockey. Friends and family are welcome to play.
Global Opportunities Unlimited
GO Unlimited is a nonprofit organization that creates adaptive sporting and outdoor adventure opportunities so that people experience freedom from their disabilities. They also provide therapeutic recreation, SCI support groups, peer mentoring, and a variety of New Mexico adaptive sports programs.
Kayak New Mexico
Kayak New Mexico believes Adaptive Kayaking will transform lives, not just through recreation, but through paradigm shifts of what an individual believes is possible, through quality of life, and through health and wellness, while proving to themselves and others that their identity is not related to their abilities.
Tennis For Fun
Tennis For Fun offers free tennis clinics for athletes with special needs. Clinics are held at Jerry Cline Tennis Center, 7205 Constitution Ave NE. Tennis For Fun is a volunteer organization that provides athletes with an opportunity to have fun playing tennis. The program specializes with athletes of all ages that are intellectually handicapped, especially those with Down Syndrome, but other special needs athletes who qualify for Special Olympics are also welcome to join. All services and equipment are provided.
All Season Adaptive Sports
Based in Ski Apache near Ruidoso, All Season’s mission is to empower individuals of all abilities through inclusive summer and winter adaptive sports programs.
Ski Taos
Many New Mexico ski resorts offer adaptive skiing lessons, including Taos. Skiers and riders of all ages and varying abilities can benefit from instruction with one of Ski Taos’s adaptive pros through a Private Adaptive Lesson.
These are all incredible opportunities for any child with differences and disabilities. Your kids will love them, and you are sure to love them as well. Sports are such a fun part of growing up!
Are we missing any sports programs you know of? If so, send us an email at [email protected].
