17 adaptive sports, peer-support, and activity-based therapy organizations in Illinois: 10 adaptive sports programs, 3 organizations doing both, 3 activity-based therapy programs and 1 peer-support group. Verified July 2026. You do not need to be an athlete: many of these exist as much for the community as the sport.
Freedom Divers International
Freedom Divers International is a adaptive sports and recreation organization in IL, listed by United Spinal and verified from its official website. Check the organization’s site for current offerings, eligibility, accessibility, schedule, and cost.
Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association (HISRA)
Peoria-area special recreation association running the Peoria Wildcats wheelchair basketball team and adaptive sports for people with physical disabilities in central Illinois.
Lincolnway Special Recreation Association
Lincolnway Special Recreation Association is a adaptive sports and recreation organization in IL, listed by United Spinal and verified from its official website. Check the organization’s site for current offerings, eligibility, accessibility, schedule, and cost.
Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation
Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation is a adaptive sports and recreation organization in IL, listed by United Spinal and verified from its official website. Check the organization’s site for current offerings, eligibility, accessibility, schedule, and cost.
Oak Lawn Park District
Oak Lawn Park District is a adaptive sports and recreation organization in IL, listed by United Spinal and verified from its official website. Check the organization’s site for current offerings, eligibility, accessibility, schedule, and cost.
Rockford Park District Adaptive Sports
Rockford, IL park-district adaptive sports program hosting a wheelchair basketball team and other adaptive opportunities for the Rockford area.
South Suburban Special Recreation Association
South Suburban Special Recreation Association is a adaptive sports and recreation organization in IL, listed by United Spinal and verified from its official website. Check the organization’s site for current offerings, eligibility, accessibility, schedule, and cost.
South West Special Recreation Association
South West Special Recreation Association is a adaptive sports and recreation organization in IL, listed by United Spinal and verified from its official website. Check the organization’s site for current offerings, eligibility, accessibility, schedule, and cost.
Synergy Adaptive Athletics
Carol Stream / DuPage County (WDSRA program) adaptive athletics organization offering wheelchair basketball, boccia, archery, and outdoor adventures for people with physical disabilities.
University of Illinois – Illini Adapted Athletics
Historic adapted athletics program at U of I – the first U.S. college to establish wheelchair basketball in 1948 – with 15 men's and 14 women's national titles; fields NWBA Fighting Illini teams and hosts annual wheelchair basketball and track summer camps.
Chicago Adaptive Sports
Chicagoland nonprofit providing programming, support and advocacy for people with physical and visual disabilities including manual/power wheelchair users; no one turned away for inability to pay.
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab – Adaptive Sports & Fitness
Chicago flagship rehab hospital offering year-round adaptive sports and fitness including wheelchair basketball, sled hockey, handcycling, kayaking, sailing, pickleball, and archery; runs a free youth Sports for Kids program with door-to-door transportation.
Movement Revolution
Activity-based recovery and exercise program serving the Chicago area. Confirm current clinical fit, eligibility, availability, and cost directly with the program.
TRYAbility
Activity-based exercise and recovery program in Downers Grove for people with neurological conditions. Confirm current clinical fit, eligibility, availability, and cost directly with the program.
Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA)
Lake Forest nonprofit and Move United member offering 20+ adaptive and Paralympic sports year-round including sled hockey, wheelchair basketball, track & field, tennis, swimming, and scuba for athletes ages 3+ with physical or visual disabilities; never turns away anyone for financial hardship.
United Spinal Association – Illinois Chapter
Statewide Illinois United Spinal chapter (founded 1979) providing information and referral, peer support groups (in-person and virtual), peer contacts, education, and injury prevention for people with paralysis and SCI throughout Illinois.
Next Steps Chicago
Neuro-rehabilitation and spinal cord recovery program serving the Chicago area. Confirm current clinical fit, eligibility, availability, and cost directly with the program.
98 national programs serve every state. See them all, and search all 612 organizations →
Listings are curated and web-verified (July 2026), but programs change, move, and close — confirm before you travel. A listing here is directory information, not an SCI.help endorsement. Spot an error or know a program we've missed? Tell us.