Needs assessment highlights barriers to adaptive sports access—awareness, cost, transportation, and funding—and advocates inclusive environments to improve engagement, health, and quality of life.

Review empirical evidence on adaptive sports, showing improvements in quality of life, physical activity, mental health, and self efficacy, and discuss implications for awareness, resources, employment, and sustained participation.

Promote adaptive sports to improve quality of life and engagement in meaningful occupations; educate staff on adaptive equipment, program development, and client needs, while advocating for funding for sustained participation.

Demonstrate community engagement, education, and advocacy to promote health and wellness through adaptive sports, expanding awareness, outreach to rehab facilities, and turning adaptive sports into a lifelong continuum.

Examine how occupational therapists and communities create inclusive environments and promote equal opportunities in adaptive sports, and identify factors like affordable cost and trained staff that support sustainable participation.

Explore essential references that support improving access to adaptive sports and increasing awareness of inclusive athletic opportunities.

Explore physical disabilities in Iowa and the benefits of adaptive sports by visiting the sites listed on this slide or viewing attachments sourced from the CDC.

I acknowledge Ricardo Lara, Dr. Christine Orosz, and Hannah Bowman for their expertise and guidance on the adaptive sports capstone project with Adaptive Sports Iowa, supporting adults with disabilities.