Members
Resources
One goal of ASNW is to be a go-to resource for people with physical disabilities and those that work with them. Here you can find a comprehensive Resource Directory that has information on multiple sports and other organizations that may be helpful here in Portland, Oregon, the Northwest, and the U.S.
Athlete Funding Resources
The following links include a variety of grants, scholarships, and other financial support for athletes and individuals with disabilities. Each has their own unique requirements and deadlines for applications — please visit each site for more information. All links open in a new tab/window.
The Active Fund, Kelly Brush Foundation provides grants to purchase adaptive sports equipment for individuals with paralysis caused by spinal cord injury.
The High Fives Empowerment Grant is open to individuals who have suffered a spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic brain injury (TBI), or a life-changing injury while participating in an outdoor adventure sport.
Spinal Cord Opportunities for Rehabilitation Endowment (SCORE) is a nonprofit organization that provides modest financial grants to people paralyzed while participating in sports or recreational activities.
Triumph Foundation’s Keep Moving Forward (KMF) Grant is for people with spinal cord injury that have limited financial capability to help them triumph over obstacles they face and enhance their quality of life.
Getting Back Up is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization that provides individuals that have a qualifying spinal cord injury with funding assistance to participate in exercise-based therapy programs or attain adaptable products suited to their needs. View the Getting Back Up Application for Assistance (PDF).
CATAPULT’s annual grant program provides financial and equipment grants to visually impaired and mobility impaired athletes for costs related to gaining access to and competing in the world of adaptive sports.
The GoHawkeye Foundation believes that the power of sports and recreation is essential to the quality of life for those living with a disability by helping to develop confidence, independence, and good health through physical and mental strength. The GoHawkeye Sports Equipment Grants help applicants acquire outdoor sports equipment.
The Blanche Fischer Foundation direct grants provide assistance to Oregonians with physical disabilities. The aid may relate directly to the disability or toward fostering personal independence.
Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) flagship grant program aims to remove the barriers that exist between adaptive athletes and their pursuit of sport and fitness. Individuals with a permanent physical disability that impairs mobility, affects the neuromuscular system, or impairs balance or motor control can apply for the CAF Annual Grant. CAF also partners with Össur to provide sports prostheses to individuals with lower extremity amputations and limb differences through CAF’s Össur grant.
The purpose of a PossAbilities grant or scholarship is to provide support for PossAbilities members to improve the quality of life, assist in the reintegration of those with disabilities into the community and society, and to meet the specific needs of PossAbilities members.
Youth-Specific
If you or someone you know is 20 years old or younger and needs assistance obtaining medical/adaptive equipment or therapy services that are not covered by their insurance provider, please contact the Wheel to Walk Foundation to request an Application for Assistance.
The United Healthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) offers timely financial support to families through grants that help with medical expenses not covered, or not fully covered, by a family’s commercial health insurance.
The Dream Factory is the largest volunteer-driven wish-granting organization that grants dreams to children 3 through 18 who are either critically or chronically ill. Visit the Dream Factory Refer A Child page for more information.
Regional Resources
Portland, OR
Portland Parks & Recreation Adaptive & Inclusive Recreation offers community-based recreation activities and leisure services specially designed for children, teens, and adults who have a disability and/or special needs.
Access Recreation is a Portland, Oregon ad hoc committee that has developed guidelines for minimum information that should be provided about hiking trails and outdoor facilities, that would benefit hikers with disabilities, and which should be applied to agency websites, printed materials and at trail sites.
In partnership with the Portland Bureau of Transportation and Nike, Kerr Bikes & Boats is proud to support Adaptive BIKETOWN. With a goal of increasing biking access for people with disabilities, Kerr Bikes & Boats provides stable trikes with calf straps, hand-powered bikes, and electric-assist trikes at significantly reduced rates for individuals with disabilities.
Team River Runner offers paddling opportunities to veterans and their family members in more than 60 locations across the nation. Follow Team River Runner PDX on Facebook.
Harper’s Playground is a model for natural inclusive play. The original is Arbor Lodge Park in Portland, OR.
The Northwest Wheelchair Tennis Association‘s mission is to further the development of wheelchair tennis, to promote an active lifestyle, and supportive community for junior and adult wheelchair tennis players through recreational and competitive play with wheelchair tennis players, family, and friends.
Beaverton, OR
Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD) Adaptive & Inclusive Recreation program provides access to recreation programs within THPRD to patrons who have developmental, learning, or physical disabilities or mental illness.
Forward Stride’s mission is to enhance quality of life through horse-centered activities and therapies. Clinical services include Rehabilitation and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.
Bend, OR
Oregon Adaptive Sports is a premiere adaptive sports foundation in the Pacific Northwest providing a range of year-round programs. OAS creates access to over 2,000 high-quality outdoor experiences each year to more than 400 unique individuals.
Corvallis, OR
Individualized Movement and Physical Activity for Children Today (IMPACT) is a physical activity program for children, youth and young adults with special needs. More than 80 children aged 6 months to 21 years, divided by age group, are engaged in physical activities — swimming, dancing, throwing balls, playing games, testing their skills on the climbing wall, balancing on a beam.
The Adaptive Exercise Clinic is a space created for adults with conditions such as multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s, and other disabilities to come together and be active. Each participant receives a customized workout plan fit to their physical activity goals. Participants are paired with student volunteers for maximum accessibility and guidance.
Eugene, OR
City of Eugene Adaptive Recreation Services at Hilyard Community Center provides year-round, community-based recreational, social and educational programs for Eugene area children, teens, and adults with disabilities.
World Wheelchair Sports is a small but effective nonprofit organization based in Eugene, Oregon. Its mission is to help those with mobility impairments discover independence by providing outdoor recreational experiences and competitive athletic opportunities.
Hillsboro, OR
Hillsboro Parks & Recreation Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation programs are designed for people experiencing disability. Visit the site for more information about their programs and schedule of events.
Mt. Hood, OR
Adaptive Lessons at the Mt. Hood Meadows Learning Center makes snow sports accessible to people of all abilities, catering to a full spectrum of skiers and snowboarders from beginning to advanced.
Tigard, OR
David’s Chair is on a mission to enrich the lives of mobility-impaired people with independence and freedom by empowering them to engage in outdoor activities they previously were unable to, free of charge.
Vancouver, WA
Northwest Association for Blind Athletes is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, youth, and adults who are blind and visually impaired through participation in sports and physical activity in communities across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.
Tacoma, WA
Rainier Adaptive Sports offers seasonal programs on a quarterly basis such as Wheelchair Basketball, Goalball, Beep Baseball, A Race Team, and our Socials. Look for our quarterly Huddle Ups, tournaments, and other opportunities to get involved.
Seattle, WA
Seattle Adaptive Sports is the regional hub for adaptive sports, connecting athletes and the community to compete, learn, and grow through programs including competitive league sports, recreational team sports, instructional camps, sports clinics, and other adaptive awareness events.
Outdoors for All enriches the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families, and helps them to get out and enjoy the great outdoors through programs including snowboarding, snowshoeing, cross country and downhill skiing, cycling, mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, youth and adult day camps, yoga, military programs, weekend excursions, and custom events.
The mission of Footloose Sailing Association is to provide safe, accessible, and rewarding sailing experiences to disabled members and their friends, families, and caregivers.
Spokane, WA
ParaSport Spokane provides training, recreational, and competitive opportunities for youth and adults with physical disabilities that promote success, self worth, and independence.
National Governing Bodies
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee is focused on protecting, supporting and empowering America’s athletes, and is responsible for fielding U.S. teams for the Olympic, Paralympic, Youth Olympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games, and serving as the steward of the Olympic and Paralympic movements in the U.S.
The United States Association of Blind Athletes empowers Americans who are blind and visually impaired to experience life-changing opportunities in sports, recreation and physical activities, thereby educating and inspiring the nation.
The United States Power Soccer Association governs the sport of power soccer in the United States. USPSA promotes the sport on a national and international level through tournament play, referee certification, training and growth.
USA Swimming is the National Governing Body for the sport of swimming in the United States. They promote the culture of swimming by creating safe and healthy opportunities for athletes and coaches of all backgrounds to participate and advance in the sport through clubs, events and education.
National Wheelchair Basketball Association provides qualified individuals with physical disabilities the opportunity to play, learn and compete in the sport of wheelchair basketball. The NWBA is responsible for growing and developing wheelchair basketball in the United States, and the selection and training of the Paralympic and Parapan Am Games teams, as well as major international competitions.
USA Hockey‘s Disabled Hockey Program provides playing opportunities regardless of a disability. Currently, there are six disciplines recognized and supported by USA Hockey throughout the nation, including blind, deaf/hard of hearing, sled, standing/amputee, special and warrior hockey.