K–12 Adaptive Sports Programming

Community

START EARLIER. CREATE ACCESS. BUILD A PATHWAY.

The Pilot

Why K–12?

For many Native youth living with physical disabilities, school physical education is their first—and sometimes only—regular exposure to sports and group recreation. However, standard physical education programs often lack the specialized equipment, adaptive curriculum, or trained staff needed to include students with mobility impairments.

By embedding adaptive sports into the K–12 environment, we remove the barrier of isolation. We meet young Native athletes where they are, introducing them to sport at an early age so they can build physical confidence, leadership skills, and long-term health habits alongside their peers.

How It Works

Educator & Coach Training: Specialized professional development equipping physical education teachers and coaches with the skills to facilitate inclusive, adaptive activities safely and effectively.
Adaptive-Sport Curriculum: Tailored instructional materials and unit plans designed for seamless integration into existing K–12 school schedules.
Equipment Access: Direct access to specialized adaptive gear—such as sports wheelchairs, handcycles, and racquet equipment—eliminating costly financial barriers for schools and families.
Hands-On Student Experiences: Interactive sports sessions during school hours where students with and without disabilities learn, play, and compete together.
Community & Development Pathways: Direct connections linking interested student-athletes to Tribal Adaptive’s broader mentorship network, athlete-development programs, and competitive clubs.

The Strategy

Pilot → Pathway → Replication

under one roof

many Native youth with physical disabilities never are introduced to adaptive sports

Tribal Adaptive’s K–12 Adaptive Sports Programming is changing that reality by bringing adaptive sports directly into schools.

Supported by the Con Alma Health Foundation, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, and Nike N7, this pilot initiative brings together schools, educators, coaches, families, and adaptive-sport leaders to address one of the most significant barriers facing young people with disabilities: simply having the opportunity to discover what is possible.

wheelchair basketball

adaptive cycling

racquet sports

strengh & conditioning

inclusive games

SPORT AS MEDICINE, CULTURE AS STRENGTH

Sports & Student Experiences

Through this program, students are introduced to a variety of adaptive sports and movement disciplines, including:

Wheelchair Basketball: Developing chair skills, team tactics, and athletic conditioning.
Adaptive Cycling: Utilizing handcycles and specialized bikes for mobility and cardiovascular fitness.
Racquet Sports: Building hand-eye coordination and agility through wheelchair tennis and badminton.
Strength & Conditioning: Learning foundational, lifelong fitness habits tailored to individual physical capabilities.
Inclusive Games: Group recreational sports adapted to allow full participation for students of all abilities.

For Educators & Schools

Is your school ready to create a more inclusive physical education environment? Partnering with Tribal Adaptive gives your faculty access to expert-led training, adapted sports curriculum, and specialized equipment loans.

We work side-by-side with your administration and physical education department to ensure your school has everything required to build a lasting adaptive sports program.

For Students & Families

Discovering adaptive sport in school is just the beginning. Tribal Adaptive provides a comprehensive ecosystem to support young athletes far beyond the school day.

Through our network, student-athletes gain access to:

The Thunderbirds: Indian Country’s first competitive para-sports club.
Mentorship: Guidance from experienced Native adaptive athletes and Paralympians.
High-Performance Opportunities: Pathways leading to regional competitions, collegiate opportunities, and training camps at the AWH House campus.

get involved

Take the Next Step

Whether you are an educator looking to bring adaptive sports to your gym, a parent seeking opportunities for your child, or a partner who wants to support our vision—we invite you to join us.

Support an Athlete

Your donation to the AWH High Performance House Fund directly covers housing, academic prep, and training expenses for a resident athlete. Donate to the AWH Fund