Canadian Adaptive Sports Programs for People with Disabilities Accessibility Resources Canada

National Adaptive Sports Programs and Organizations

Many adaptive sports programs and organizations collaborate with a national organization. This partnership aims to provide you with the best possible sporting experience. Below is a list of national organizations. They provide various adaptive, para, or blind sport opportunities on a national Canadian level.

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To look for provincial or local adaptive sports in your area, click on your province. You can find this information in our provincial and territorial directory.

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Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)

The national private, non-profit organization that governs Paralympic sport in Canada in partnership with 28 member sport organizations. Its vision is to create an inclusive world through Paralympic sport, focusing on high-performance excellence and promoting inclusive communities.
Website: Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)

Special Olympics Canada

Provides community-based sport programs for individuals with an intellectual disability across the country. It focuses on enriching lives and creating moments of joy, confidence, and connection through the power of sport.
Website: Special Olympics Canada

Alpine Skiing Canada (Para)

The Carving the Future program started as a chance to provide skiers with physical disabilities the opportunity to try ski racing for the first time and have a chance to work directly with National Team Coaches. The program now provides support to programs at all levels along with the Para-Alpine Long Term Athlete Development plan.
Website: Para Alpine Skiing Canada

Person using a sit-ski adaptive device skiing downhill on a snowy slope.

Archery Canada (Para)

The aim of our Olympic & Paralympic Programs is to identify and support the development of our top athletes, in all Olympic and Paralympic disciplines by ensuring the resources and support personnel are in place to support them towards achieving excellence performance at the Olympic Games and Senior World Championships.
Website: Para Archery Canada

Athletics Canada (Para)

The national governing body for track and field, road running, and cross country. Its website features Para athletes in its spotlight, indicating integrated promotion and support.
Website: Para Athletics Canada

Badminton Canada (Para)

Badminton made its Paralympic Games debut in at Tokyo 2020 and will also be on the Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games program. The BWF is a member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The IPC recognizes the BWF as the world governing body for Para badminton. Badminton is a sport for all, an accessible sport for boys and girls, men and women and for people with a physical impairment. Badminton is a sport for everyone. BWF is responsible for regulating, promoting and developing Para badminton globally.
Website: Para Badminton Canada

Wheelchair Basketball Canada

Wheelchair Basketball Canada (WBC) is the national sport governing body responsible for the organization of wheelchair basketball in Canada. It is a non-profit, charitable organization that is the Canadian member of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF). Wheelchair Basketball Canada delivers programs and services that strengthen the sport from the grassroots level to high-performance athletes competing in the Paralympic Games. Representatives from the provinces elect the Board of Directors, which establishes policy and lends guidance to the development of wheelchair basketball in Canada.
Website: Wheelchair Basketball Canada

The Canadian Blind Sports Association is a not for profit association serving individuals who are blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind, or are blind and have additional disabilities; and their families and other supporters. Canadian Blind Sport Association is the national sport governing body for Goalball in Canada and recognizing that most of its members (the provincial/territorial associations) are multi-sport organizations provides support for all Canadians who are blind/visually impaired to be involved in a range of sports. Canadian Blind Sport Association supports the concepts behind Canadian Sport for Life, the Long-term Athlete Development model and is fully committed to the development of athletes and other participants from Active Start through to Active for Life.
Website: Canadian Blind Sport Association (Goalball)

Canadian Blind Hockey is a charity that changes the lives of children, and youth who are blind or partially sighted by providing Blind Hockey programming including introductory try-it sessions, development camps, regional and national competitions, and by supporting the Canadian Blind Hockey Teams. The parasport of Blind Hockey is played by athletes whose level of vision ranges from legally blind – which is approximately 10% vision – to completely blind, using an adapted puck that makes noise and is bigger than a traditional puck. Canadian Blind Hockey programming is made possible by presenting partner AMI – Accessible Media Inc., National Program Partner The CNIB Foundation, as well as generous donors and sponsors coast-to-coast.
Website: Canadian Blind Hockey
Facebook: Canadian Blind Hockey Facebook

Boccia Canada

Established in 1985, the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping anyone with cerebral palsy or a related disability access quality sport and recreation activities. They are the National Sport Organization for the Paralympic sport of Boccia.
Website: Boccia Canada

Person using a wheelchair playing boccia, with coloured balls on the ground in the foreground.

Canoe/Kayak Canada (Para)

PaddleAll

PaddleAll is Canoe Kayak Canada’s commitment to inclusive sport for athletes with intellectual disabilities. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the joy of paddling, and PaddleAll helps remove barriers so more people can get on the water safely and confidently. This program supports clubs across the country in creating welcoming, adaptive environments, empowering athletes of all abilities to participate, compete, and thrive in our paddling community.
Website: Para Canoe/Kayak Canada

Climbing Escalade Canada (Para)

Climbing Escalade Canada (CEC) is committed to supporting positive environments for participation in sport climbing at all levels of abilities. With the help of the Para-Climbing Committee, CEC will develop Para-Climbing programs and education over the next few years.
Website: Para Climbing Escalade Canada

Curling Canada (Wheelchair)

Wheelchair curling is an inclusive parasport designed for individuals with disabilities who primarily use wheelchairs, offering an accessible and engaging way to participate in curling. It is played at both recreational and elite levels, with adaptations that make the sport welcoming to all, regardless of background or ability. Since gaining official medal status by the International Paralympic Committee in 2002, wheelchair curling has been a mixed-gender event in the Paralympic Winter Games, showcasing the sport’s emphasis on inclusivity and equality. The introduction of mixed doubles in 2022 further expanded access, allowing for greater participation in regions where traditional team opportunities may be limited. Wheelchair curling exemplifies how sport can embrace diversity, fostering connection and competition for all involved.
Website: Wheelchair Curling Canada

Cycling Canada (Para)

The national governing body for cycling, responsible for Para cycling (road and track).
Website: Para Cycling Canada

Deaf Sports

Canadian Deaf Sports Association

The Canadian Deaf Sports Association (ASSC-CDSA) was founded in 1959 as the Canadian Deaf-Mute Sports Federation. In 1964, it was incorporated under the name of the Federation of Silent Sports of Canada Inc. The organization once again changed its name to the Canadian Deaf Sports Association and now operates as a non-profit.
Website: Canadian Deaf Sports Association

Canadian Deaf Curling Association (CDCA)

A national organization that promotes, organizes, and governs the sport of curling for Deaf and Hard of Hearing athletes across Canada. Hosts annual national championships.
Website: Canadian Deaf Curling Association (CDCA)

Canadian Deaf Golf Association (CDGA)

Promotes and provides opportunities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals to participate in the sport of golf across Canada. Organizes tournaments and selects teams for international events.
Website: Canadian Deaf Golf Association (CDGA)

Canadian Deaf Hockey Association (CDHA)

Website: Canadian Deaf Hockey Association (CDHA)

Dwarf Athletic Association of Canada (DAAC)

The national sports organization for athletes with dwarfism in Canada. It promotes participation, development, and competition in various sports, with pathways to national teams for events like the World Dwarf Games.
Website: Dwarf Athletic Association of Canada (DAAC)

Equestrian Canada (Para)

Para dressage provides athletes with a physical or visual impairment the opportunity to compete against other athletes with similar abilities. Athletes are classified and given a “Grade” based on their functional ability and are then judged on their riding skill against other athletes of the same Grade. There are five (5) Grades of competitions in para-dressage. Grade I represents the more severely impaired athletes. Grade V represents the least severely impaired.
Website: Equestrian Canada (Para)

Hockey Canada (Para Ice / Sledge)

Para hockey is the Paralympic version of ice hockey and, since its debut on the Paralympic program in 1994, it has become one of the biggest attractions for spectators at the Paralympic Winter Games. It is fast-paced, highly physical and played by athletes with a physical disability in the lower part of the body.
Website: Hockey Canada (Para Ice / Sledge)

Judo Canada (Para, Blind, Deaf & Kids)

Judo programs provide a safe and stimulating environment in which all judokas can develop to their full potential. The practice of judo for deaf or visually impaired athletes includes a competitive component. Parajudo, where visually impaired athletes compete in designated weight categories, is part of the Paralympic Games program. Judo Canada actively promotes inclusive attitudes and encourages clubs to adopt approaches that encourage the full participation of all, so that as many Canadians as possible gain from the benefits of our sport.
Website: Judo Canada (Para, Blind, Deaf & Kids)

Nordic Skiing Canada (Para)

Para nordic skiing includes both cross-country skiing and biathlon for athletes with a physical impairment. “Para” comes from the Greek meaning “beside” or “alongside.” The current use of the term comes from the Paralympics, which indicates the Games are parallel to the Olympics. Nordiq Canada works with Divisions and clubs to develop programs and coaches for Para nordic skiers. The best athletes are prepared to compete at FIS and IBU Para World Cups and the Paralympic Games.
Website: Para Nordic Skiing Canada

Power Hockey Canada

The national governing body for power hockey (powerchair hockey), a fast-paced team sport for individuals who use power wheelchairs. Powerhockey is a parasport for individuals with physical disabilities that use a power wheelchair. The sport is inclusive by nature, allowing para-athletes of varying disabilities to participate together, regardless of gender or age. Para-athletes are able to compete to the best of their ability and excel in a competitive sports environment. Off the floor, the sport fosters lifelong friendships and relationships that cross borders, creating a strong, tight-knit community.
Website: Power Hockey Canada

Power wheelchair hockey players competing indoors, with a Canadian team member reaching for the ball using a stick.

Powerlifting Canada (Para)

Canada Para Powerlifting is committed to grassroots development and education to build a foundation that supports and promotes para powerlifting programs and services that will encourage and increase athlete participation, fair competition, provide a high-level of technical officiating and classifying, and boost the profile of para powerlifting and its athletes.
Website: Para Powerlifting Canada

Rowing Canada (Para)

The national governing body for rowing, overseeing Para rowing (PR1, PR2, PR3 classifications).
Website: Para Rowing Canada
PDF: I Want to Try Para Rowing – PDF Brochure

Shooting Canada (Para)

Shooting Federation of Canada strongly believes that target shooting should be an inclusive activity. We are committed to listening, learning and leading in the fundamental areas of equity, diversity, access and inclusion. From policies to program execution, we recognize our need to grow and are committed to moving forward collaboratively to build a culture of inclusion.
Website: Shooting Canada (Para)

Soccer Canada

The governing body for soccer in Canada, responsible for Para soccer disciplines

Para Soccer (5-a-Side)

Football 5-a-side, also known as blind football, is an adaptation of football for athletes with a visual impairment. The sport has been governed by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) since 1996 and it is played with modified FIFA rules. It featured at the Paralympics for the first time at Athens 2004, and has been contested at every Games since.
Website: Para Soccer Canada (5-a-Side)

Para Soccer (7-a-Side)

Football 7-a-side, also known as cerebral palsy football, is an adaptation of football for athletes with cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury or stroke. The sport is governed by the International Federation of CP Football (IFCPF) and is played using modified FIFA rules. It made its Paralympic debut at the 1984 Paralympic Games and was contested at every Games through to Rio 2016. While it is no longer on the Paralympic program, the sport continues to be played internationally with its own World and regional championships, including at the Parapan American Games.
Website: Para Soccer Canada (7-a-Side)

Powerchair Soccer Canada

Power Soccer, where the game transcends beyond the arena and becomes a way of life. A diverse community of coaches, athletes, staff, and volunteers all share the same passion for this thrilling sport, one that fosters lasting bonds and opens doors to compete against top teams globally. If you crave the adrenaline of fierce competition and the chance to test your mettle, then Power Soccer could be your ultimate calling. Embrace the challenge and discover the extraordinary journey that awaits you. Are you ready to take on the power?
Website: Power Soccer Canada

Snowboard Canada (Para)

It’s all the Same. This simple message represents Canada Snowboard’s vision, aiming to create a heightened awareness of para snowboarding in providing leadership both domestically (within Canada) and internationally and to develop a clearly defined and supported pathway of training and competition opportunities. This will ultimately lead snowboarding in Canada to become fully integrated; providing the same opportunities, support and expectations for all participants. Para-snowboard events include male and female athletes living with a physical disability such as(but not limited to) spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy and amputation. There are two official disciplines in Para Snowboarding; Snowboardcross and Banked Slalom separated into different levels of competitions; Provincial events, Continental cups, World cups, World Championships and Paralympic Winter Games.
Website: Para Snowboard Canada

Swimming Canada (Para)

Para-swimming is Swimming Canada’s fully integrated swimming program for person’s with a disability from grassroots to elite. Para swimming combines a broad range of disabilities into three categories: Physical Impairments, Visual Impairments and Intellectual Impairments. Para swimming grew out of several different movements in the 1940’s and 1950’s. During this time, four international sports bodies, divided by means of medical disability eventually combined to form the modern day Paralympic movement. Swimming Canada became the first integrated National Sports Organization in 1993. Today, a “sport-first” approach is being taken and international groups have moved towards representing specific sports, with consideration of a person’s disability as a secondary factor. The world sport governing body for persons with a disability, including swimming, is World Para Swimming , under International Paralympic Committee and it operates with sport specific committees that oversee the development of sport for the disability groups.
Website: Para Swimming Canada

Table Tennis Canada (Para)

The national governing body for table tennis, responsible for Para table tennis.
Website: Para Table Tennis Canada

Taekwondo Canada (Para)

The national sport governing body for taekwondo, which includes the Para taekwondo discipline (Kyorugi). Taekwondo Canada is working to establish a formal Para Taekwondo Kyorugi program with the aim being to qualify athletes for future World Para Taekwondo Championships and Paralympic Games and are looking for impairment eligible individual that are currently members in a taekwondo club or are interested in joining one.
Website: Para Taekwondo Canada

Tennis Canada (Wheelchair)

Wheelchair Tennis Whole Player Development Pathway (WTWPDP) provides recommendations to guide player development at each stage and foster a lifelong passion for wheelchair tennis. The WTWPDP is committed to nurturing excellence both on and off the court and reinforces the idea that long-term development is important to sport performance and to a life-long commitment to physical activity for mental and physical health and wellness. This pathway requires alignment from community to high-performance programming involving clubs, coaches, families, community organizations, and Provincial and Territorial partners.  This holistic approach aims to develop great wheelchair tennis players—and great people- who can be role models and inspire future generations.
Website: Para Tennis Canada

Triathlon Canada (Para)

Triathlon Canada has developed one of the top para-sport programs in the world over the last decade that has resulted in medal-winning results at the international racing level. One of the newest sports added to the Paralympic Games family, para triathlon debuted at the 2016 Rio Games where Canada’s Stefan Daniel celebrated a silver medal. Since that breakthrough day on Copacabana Beach, the sport has not lost sight of its two major goals: introduce more Canadians with a disability to triathlon; and develop more Canadian medal winners.
Website: Para Triathlon Canada

Volleyball Canada (Sitting)

Sitting Volleyball is perhaps the most widely known form of ParaVolley thanks to its inclusion in the Paralympic Games since Arnhem in 1980. Played by over 10,000 athletes, in more than 55 countries worldwide it is a truly global game that anyone can play. The Sitting Volleyball rules are based on the FIVB rules for able-bodied volleyball, with a few minor modifications. It requires a smaller court and a lower net and the game is considerably faster than standing volleyball. Teams compete in male and female events, with six on the court at a time.
Website: Sitting Volleyball Canada

Wheelchair Rugby Canada

Wheelchair rugby is a team sport for male and female athletes with a mobility-related disability in at least three limbs. It is a unique sport created by athletes with a disability that combines elements of basketball, handball, and ice hockey. The object of the game is to carry the ball across the opposing team’s goal line. Two wheels must cross the goal line for a goal to count. The player must have firm control of the ball when they cross the line. All wheelchair rugby players compete in manual wheelchairs. Players must meet the minimum disability criteria of the sport and must be classifiable under the sport classification rules.
Website: Wheelchair Rugby Canada