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7 min read 6 stepsMay 8, 2026Verified May 2026

How to Find a VA Adaptive Sports Program

Plain-English guide for disabled senior veterans wanting to join VA-funded adaptive sports like wheelchair basketball, cycling, golf, fishing, and skiing.

At a Glance

Decide What Kind of Activity Interests You

~49s

Think about what you liked before your disability or what you have always wanted to try. There is no rule that you must pick the most physical sport. A senior veteran with arthritis might choose chair yoga or adaptive fishing. A veteran with mobility loss might choose hand cycling, wheelchair basketball, or seated archery. A veteran with low vision might choose tandem cycling with a sighted partner, beep baseball, or guided fishing. A veteran with PTSD might choose individual sports like cycling or hiking with a small group, which many veterans find calming. Make a short list of activities that sound interesting. Adaptive sports programs welcome people who have never tried the sport before. You do not need any prior experience.

Quick Tip

Many senior veterans say golf is one of the most welcoming sports to start with because it is gentle on the joints, social, and offers adaptive carts and clubs at most VA programs.

Visit the VA Adaptive Sports Website and Search by Zip Code

~48s

Open your web browser, type va.gov/health-care/adaptive-sports in the address bar, and press Enter. The page lists national events like the Wheelchair Games and Golden Age Games, plus a search tool for local programs. Click "Find a program near you" and enter your zip code. The results page shows weekly and monthly adaptive sports programs within driving distance, along with contact information for each. You can also search at the partner non-profit sites. Disabled Sports USA at adaptivesportsusa.org has more than 100 chapters nationwide. DAV at dav.org runs adaptive sports clinics. Paralyzed Veterans of America at pva.org partners with VA on wheelchair sports. Each site has a calendar of upcoming free events.

Quick Tip

If no programs show within a one-hour drive, your VA medical center's Recreation Therapy department may run unlisted weekly programs at the medical center itself. Call the main VA number and ask for Recreation Therapy.

Talk to the Recreation Therapy or Adaptive Sports Coordinator at Your VA

~45s

Every VA medical center has a Recreation Therapy department, and most have a dedicated Adaptive Sports Coordinator. The coordinator manages local programs, signs veterans up for national events, and arranges transportation when needed. Find the coordinator by calling your VA medical center's main number and asking for Recreation Therapy or Adaptive Sports. The coordinator can tell you which programs are accepting new participants, what equipment is provided, and what doctor approval you need. Many programs require a brief clearance from your primary care provider stating you are healthy enough for the activity. This clearance is free and usually takes one office visit.

Warning

Do not start a new sport without medical clearance if you have heart disease, recent surgery, or balance problems. A 10-minute conversation with your VA doctor can prevent an injury that would set you back months.

Register for the National Veterans Golden Age Games or Wheelchair Games

~52s

If you are age 55 or older, the National Veterans Golden Age Games is the largest annual adaptive sports event for senior veterans, with about 800 athletes competing in sports like swimming, cycling, bowling, shuffleboard, horseshoes, dominoes, blind disc golf, and many more. Registration opens each fall for the following spring's event. To register, open your web browser, type veteransgoldenagegames.va.gov in the address bar, and press Enter. The site has the registration form, eligibility rules, and host city information. Your VA medical center's Recreation Therapy department helps you complete the application and arranges travel funding if you qualify. The Wheelchair Games are open to veterans of any age who use a wheelchair for sport. Registration is at wheelchairgames.org and opens each spring for the summer event.

Quick Tip

First-time competitors get a special introduction at both Games and are paired with experienced veterans who help them through the week. Do not worry about being new. Most athletes were nervous their first year.

Get the Equipment and Training You Need

~48s

The VA pays for adaptive sports equipment when it is part of an approved Recreation Therapy program or prescribed by a VA clinician. Common equipment includes hand-cycles, racing wheelchairs, adaptive golf carts, single-rider water skis, sit-down kayaks, prosthetic running blades, and adapted fishing gear. To request equipment, ask your Recreation Therapist or Prosthetics department for a written prescription. The Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service at your VA medical center processes the request, and the equipment is delivered to you or made available at the program site. Most programs also lend equipment so you can try a sport before owning the gear. Training is included; certified adaptive sports coaches lead all VA-funded events at no cost.

Warning

Free equipment must be used as intended. If you no longer use a hand-cycle, return it to the VA so another veteran can borrow it. Selling VA-provided equipment is illegal and can lead to loss of future benefits.

Stay Connected with the Adaptive Sports Community Year-Round

~53s

Adaptive sports work best when they become a habit, not a one-time event. After your first event, ask the coordinator about weekly or monthly local programs you can join. Many veterans find a regular group of 8 to 20 athletes who meet at the same time each week for years. The friendships built in these programs are often as valuable as the physical benefits. Many programs also have online communities on Facebook or in private apps where members share rides, equipment tips, and event news. Disabled Sports USA, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the VA Adaptive Sports newsletter all publish event calendars year-round. Senior veterans who stay active in adaptive sports for five or more years report stronger health and stronger purpose in retirement than those who join only one event.

Quick Tip

Bring a family member or friend to your first event. Many programs welcome visitors, and a familiar face makes the first day less intimidating. After one event most veterans no longer need a companion.

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Adaptive sports are athletic activities changed to fit people with disabilities. A wheelchair basketball game, a hand-cycle road race, a chair-yoga class, or a guided fishing trip for veterans with low vision are all adaptive sports. The Department of Veterans Affairs runs a national Adaptive Sports and Arts Program that funds more than 100 adaptive sports clinics, camps, and weekly programs across the United States every year. For senior veterans with service-connected or non-service-connected disabilities, adaptive sports can improve balance, build strength, sharpen mental health, and create lasting friendships with other veterans who understand the experience.

Research from the VA Office of Patient Care Services shows that veterans who join an adaptive sports program report less depression, less chronic pain, better sleep, and stronger overall well-being. For senior veterans, the benefits are even greater. Regular movement of any kind reduces the risk of falls, slows cognitive decline, and keeps independence longer. The VA Adaptive Sports Program is free for enrolled veterans. The VA covers equipment, instruction, and often travel and lodging to clinics. Many programs are run in partnership with non-profits like Disabled Sports USA, Disabled American Veterans, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, the National Veterans Golden Age Games, and Paralyzed Veterans of America.

The range of adaptive sports is wide. Year-round options include wheelchair basketball, swimming, cycling, golf, archery, fishing, kayaking, boccia, sled hockey, sit-volleyball, table tennis, equestrian, sailing, and shooting. Seasonal options include snow skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, water-skiing, scuba diving, and surfing. Mental wellness options include adaptive yoga, tai chi, qigong, and chair-based fitness classes. Almost every sport played by able-bodied athletes has an adaptive version, and the VA program has at least one chapter near most veterans.

Two flagship VA events stand out. The National Veterans Wheelchair Games, held every summer, is the world's largest annual wheelchair sports event with about 600 veteran athletes competing in 22 sports. The National Veterans Golden Age Games, held every spring, is for veterans age 55 and older and welcomes about 800 senior veterans for a week of competition in sports ranging from swimming to shuffleboard. The VA funds travel, lodging, meals, and equipment for qualified veterans at both events. Beyond these national games, local VA medical centers host weekly and monthly adaptive programs that any enrolled veteran can join, often within a 30-minute drive of home.

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Official Resources

Medicare.gov MedlinePlus — Health Info AARP Health & Technology

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