How technology revolutionizes adaptive motion

In recent years, the landscape of accessible sports has changed due to technological breakthroughs that are easier than ever to compete and engage in entertainment. These advances are emerging in various forms, from the enhancement of smart sports equipment and prosthetics and orthotics to advances in wheelchair technology, which are providing sports for more athletes with disabilities.

Unfortunately, the price tags make these accessible sports progress less accessible than possible. As Shuan Butcher, communications manager at Move United, notes, the average price of adaptive sports equipment is 15 times that of standard non-adaptive sports equipment. “Adaptive sports equipment usually has to be customized to suit the needs of a particular individual, physical or disability,” he said. “But having the right equipment is essential to success, especially for a dream of chasing competition at the highest level of the sport. ”

Mobile Union

Organizations like Move United are at the forefront of this movement. The nonprofit is committed to the adaptive movement and supports more than 200 member organizations nationwide. “We are here to support and provide resources for them, whether through grants, scholarships or educational resources,” shared Jessica Cloy, competition manager at Move United.

Butcher said that through partnerships such as disability insurance providers and decades of adaptive sports advocate Hartford, Move United has provided 7,500 adaptive devices to 55,000 individuals in 75 communities across the country over the past six years.

“Through this program, we are able to provide equipment for individual athletes pursuing a sports journey and migrate joint member organizations,” he explained. “The latter allows more people to be affected because multiple people can try or use the equipment while participating in a local program, or generally provide the organization with the opportunity to introduce new sports or enhance the opportunities they offer in their own communities.”

The fruits of partnership

These resources provide important support to athletes and organizations. Some recent equipment grants to work with Hartford include:

Custom racing chairs
Five Paralympic and three-time Paralympic medalist Matt Scott surprised three athletes with custom track and field chairs at Hartford Nationals in the summer of 2024 in Hoover, Alabama.

Sitting posture and snowboarding equipment
Three-time Paralympic and two-time Paralympic medalist Keith Gabel was surprised by 15 adaptive athletes with custom adaptive sports equipment including Nordic sitting skis, snowboards and Alpine skis, a Hartford ski, at the Hartford Ski Spectacular in Colo.

$50,000 Grant
Additionally, a $50,000 grant was offered to members of the Move United Member Network in Connecticut, which allowed them to purchase Alpine and Nordic Sit Skis and Adaptive Mountain Bikes to expand winter programming, as well as custom Kayak and Paddle Boards for summer programs to expand winter programming.

Adaptive kayak
Achane tahoe, a California-based Move United member organization, received a $50,000 grant from Hartford, which allowed them to purchase equipment for kayaking, archery, hiking and climbing for adaptive sports programs.

Planning and development

Financial aid and collaboration are not over. Move United has partnered with the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) to improve trail access for wheelchair users, allowing athletes with disabilities to access the trails and even helping the development of off-road wheelchairs, as well as organizations such as catalysts to buy specialized kayaks to buy adaptive paddlers. Chloe added: “A large part of our organization is also dedicated to veterans and fighters through devotees of Manchester United Fighters.”

Move United Warfimters is a program dedicated to providing adaptive sports for severely injured fighters. Since 2003, it has served more than 19,000 injured fighters and their families.

In addition, mobile wing education programs, such as webinars and training modules, provide valuable information for athletes and coaches. These resources cover topics such as device options, training techniques and inclusive best practices, making it easier for individuals to learn how to engage in adaptive sports.

“We have a lot of virtual online learning opportunities for athletes in all kinds of sports, and I think it’s really helpful,” Chloe said.

These virtual learning opportunities have been used in various sports, such as track and field. In particular, when he and others discussed the devices available to Para-Athletes, together with Paralympic Danial Romancuck formed a three-part series. “It’s highly focused on the wheelchair aspect, which is helpful because there are a lot of people who are interested in adapting to sports, but they don’t always know where to start or the type of equipment they should buy,” Chloe explained. “Danial and others carefully discussed all the options, price points and their advice, advice on how to use a new athlete or coach when they start. It’s sometimes hard to get into an adaptive space, which shouldn’t be the case. We’re looking for ways to share our collective knowledge and get that information and get help.”

Establish adaptive competition

In addition to financial aid and educational resources, Move United plays a crucial role in supporting adaptive sports competitions. The organization offers dozens of games each year across the country each year. Chloe said there have been 34 incidents in books spanning 24 states so far. These range from single sports events to multi-sports competitions and are designed to reach para athletes. The climax of their competitive season is the Hartford German Minions, a seven-day championship event that includes seven sports. The massive event, which will be held this year in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will typically attract nearly 400 athletes, 150 coaches, and hundreds of spectators, volunteers and family members. “More and more cities are reaching out and it’s exciting to see them host adaptive sporting events,” Chloe said.

Cloy, a four-time Paralympic and seven-time Paralympic medalist, understands what it takes to host accessible sporting events and the main considerations for improving inclusion. “When I talk to a city or venue, I encourage them to look at the level of access to their venue first,” she said. “I know it seems obvious, but it starts with walking around the venue and looking at them from a disabled person’s perspective.”

She stressed the importance of looking at details, such as curb cutting on the sidewalk, whether it’s paved areas or grass and accessible bathrooms.

Chloe added: “If you really don’t know what you’re looking for, find someone in the disabled community and ask them to visit with you.”

Chloe added that another key aspect of hosting the event is to view para athletes as serious competitors rather than as part of a special interest program. “Adaptive sports should be treated with the same respect and attention as any other sporting event,” she said. “We want to see our events as events that cities want to bring, rather than what they need to do to check a box.”

With the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles approaching quickly, it provides Move United with a huge opportunity to expand its adaptive sports engagement nationwide, and the organization is actively seeking more communities interested in hosting. “Our goal is to increase the number of competitions nationwide,” Chloe said. “If a city is interested in hosting events, we would love to work with them. It’s not necessarily a competition, it could be a clinic or a recreational program. The key is awareness and excitement about adaptive sports.”