OSHAWA, ON – Since helping to host the 2023 Ontario Parasport Games in the Durham Region this winter, Durham College continues to take steps towards expanding its lineup of adaptive sport programming and resources on campus.
 
Adaptive sports aim to address barriers that persons with disability face in order to compete in traditional sports. By modifying the rules and equipment, a sport can be enjoyed and played by anybody, regardless of their ability. Examples of adaptive sports include, but are not limited to, sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball and goalball.
 
Together with Ontario Tech University, a grant provided by Parasport Ontario and the Toronto Accessibility Sport Commission was used to purchase adaptive equipment and provide recreational programming.
 
Durham College was a major supporter of the Parasport Games in February, serving as a gold sponsor and the host venue for wheelchair basketball in which eight games were played between February 4-5, 2023.
 
Launching in November, Campus Recreation began hosting Activity & Adapative Sport Day events with staff and academic groups, which expanded to weekly programming open to all students in the winter semester. Each event included a diverse set of adaptive games that anybody could play with a learning component. Adaptive sports were also tied into the second semester kickoff Campus Rec Day, with sitting volleyball being a popular sport amongst students.
 
May 28^th – June 3^rd is National AccessAbility Week and is an opportunity to celebrate Canadians with disabilities. The Rick Hansen Foundation aims to celebrate those who advocate for themselves or others, spreads awareness on barriers, calls out non-inclusive language and shares their experiences.