Pickleball is Becoming (Even More) Accessible for Those With Disabilities
Last Edited
Jul 31 2024
Category
Community
Pickleball has been called many things by media headlines over the last few years. Besides "noisy," two words come up more often than others: accessible & inclusive.
Sure, pickleball is accessible in every sense of the term:
- It's quick to learn
- It doesn't require tons of mobility to have fun playing
- It's cheap to pick up
- Its open play culture is, generally, pretty welcoming
But is pickleball inclusive?
Pickleball has no significant generational divide, and gender is not key to success at any level of play (consider the top women pros regularly win points over their male counterparts in mixed doubles, and that is not exclusively a high level occurrence).
This all suggests pickleball is a very inclusive sport. But what if your mobility is impacted by more than a sore back or a torn meniscus?
Adaptive Pickleball Program
The Southeastern Ohio Center for Independent Living (SOCIL) now provides adaptive sports opportunities for those with disabilities.
SOCIL’s adaptive sports program, which includes pickleball among other sports, recently expanded its services to Athens County.
The nonprofit hosted an event at the Athens Community Center to raise awareness and allow visitors to try adaptive sports.
Specialized wheelchairs, often costing over $3,000, are provided free of charge at these events.
Jeff Williams, an Independent Living Advocate at SOCIL and a coach for adaptive sports, noted the profound benefits these activities bring beyond physical exercise.
“You just see them blossom,” Williams told WOUB/PBS. “They get more confident in themselves; they’re willing to try new things.”
Volunteers at these events highlighted how adaptive sports offer essential exercise opportunities and foster inclusivity, bringing people of all abilities together.
Town of Hempstead’s Adaptive Pickleball Court
Meanwhile, the Town of Hempstead in New York has unveiled an adaptive pickleball court in Forest City Park, Wantagh.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 11, Town Supervisor Don Clavin highlighted the rising popularity of pickleball and the significance of this court as the first on Long Island designed for people with disabilities.
This new court is larger than standard courts, measuring 74 feet long and 44 feet wide, with additional space surrounding it.
The extra room allows players to transition from their everday wheelchairs into their sports chairs, designed for physical activity like this.
Clavin was joined by local officials and members of the Aviators of Nassau County wheelchair softball team, who contributed feedback during the court’s construction.
Drew Scopelitis, the team’s president, praised the court’s design, which allows players to easily transition between their regular and sports wheelchairs.
Councilwoman Missy Miller, an advocate for the disabled community, stressed the importance of making public facilities accessible to everyone.
The adaptive pickleball court is available for free on a first-come, first-served basis, encouraging participants to bring their own specialized equipment.
Clavin expressed hope that this initiative would inspire other municipalities to create similar inclusive spaces.
A Growing Trend
As local governments and organizations continue to prioritize accessibility, pickleball stands to become a model of why those investments matter.
Read Next: Pickleball Stories: Deaf Player Experiences the Best Thing About The Sport
By providing adaptive equipment and creating inclusive environments, these programs ensure that everyone, regardless of physical ability, can enjoy the game’s many benefits.
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