Parks & Recreation

Paralympic Sports: Wheelchair Sports

Disability Services has a long history of providing wheelchair sports activities for Dade county citizens with disabilities. Since 1992, when the first wheelchair tennis tournament took place, to today with our designations as both a Paralympics Sport Club and a Blazesport Club. Along with the Paralympic Partners, we are now facilitating eight different wheelchair sports. 

The Miami Dade County Paralympics' Partners is a collaboration of organizations throughout the county that work together to expand opportunities throughout Miami Dade for children and adults with physical and visual impairment to participate in sports activities. They meet quarterly to discuss how they can create new programs and improve existing programs available to this population. We also plan special events throughout the year to raise awareness of opportunities available. Organizations involved in this partnership include Miami Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Disability Services, City of Miami Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, Colusana, Shake A Leg, The Spina Bifida Association, and The Leisure Access Foundation.   

Partners work together to:  

• Refer participants between organizations  
• Promote overall health and wellness in all activities  
• Create new programs to develop Paralympics' Athletes  
• Create, collaborate and coordinate activities and events  
• Create a County Calendar of Events/Activities for all to share  
• Enhance and improve existing recreation and sports programs  
• Share resources; equipment, facilities, best practice knowledge  
• Implement clinics and camps that teach adaptive sports techniques  
• Support each other in grant submissions for funding these programs  
• Benefit the population of persons with visual and physical disabilities  

Wheelchair Basketball
Team practice for the Miami Heat Wheels and developmental skills development, This program is free of charge for ages 16+ with physical disabilities. This program takes place at 7090 NW 22 Avenue and runs September through March. For more information, call Jody Cox at 305-234-1673.

Wheelchair Tennis
Tennis instruction for children and adults 16+ with physical disabilities w/ physical disabilities. This program takes place at 600 SW 92 Avenue on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and is free of charge. For more information, contact Jody Cox at 305-234-1673.

Junior Wheelchair Tennis Program takes place during several 8 week sessions each year on Saturdays at Tamiami Tennis Center, 11201 SW 24th Street. is $40/session.  Children who use wheelchairs ages 8 and up may register by calling Diana at 305-380-9106 or e-mail dbonet@miamidade.gov

Handcycling
Participants ages 16+ with physical disabilities meet on the first and third Tuesday of every month, October through May, at Curtis Park to build endurance and stamina as they propel their handcycle around the track. Participants must call prior to reserve cycle. This program is free of charge and it takes place at 1901 NW 24 Avenue. For more information, call Jody Cox at 305-234-1673. 

Fitness Swim
Lap swimming for fun and exercise for adults 18+ with physical disabilities. Program is every Wednesday & Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. September through May. The cost is $40.00 per group of 10 or $150.00 for 10 individual classes. This program takes place at 3401 SW 72 Avenue.  For more information, call Belinda Phillips at 305-755-7848.

 

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