Adaptive Tennis includes tennis programs for individuals with various types of physical disabilities, such as players who wear a prosthesis, as well as tennis programs for players with mental disabilities. Special Olympics has an outstanding program for players of all ages and abilities who have cognitive disabilities, such as mental retardation or Down Syndrome, as well as other intellectual disabilities.
There are often special teaching methods and techniques working with individuals with physical or mental disabilities, and specific USTA resources, both local individuals and written materials available.
A national program that several of the special recreation associations in Northern Illinois work through is the Blaze sports program.
BlazeSports/Adapted Sports
Beginner to advanced athletes are invited to try out BlazeSports to find out, What's YOUR Game? These programs are geared toward introducing players to the wonderful world of sports! Athletes can choose to participate at the level where they are comfortable...recreationally or competitively. Interested families are encouraged to call for more details about each program. Eligible players include children and adults who:
- have mobility needs (may or may not use wheelchair on a daily basis
- are visually impaired
- have an amputation
- have a neurological/muscular impairment, such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida and others, including those with orthopedic impairments, permanent knee injuries, and leg length discrepancies
One such program for wheelchair tennis is through the Rockford Park District, Therapeutic Recreation division, www.rockforparkdistrict.org .