Extreme wheelchair sport is an umbrella term encompassing several sports redesigned to be actively performed by athletes in wheelchairs. These sports cover the wide spectrum of sports for wheelchair bound people from likes of wheelchair basketball to wheelchair tennis and wheelchair racing to wheelchair golf. Whatever sports the human mind can conceive an individual in a wheelchair can achieve.
These sports play a vital role in the rehabilitation of those with disabilities and can often be a catalyst for increased confidence and self esteem. More and more wheelchair users are playing sports every day - some even on a professional level.
There are a wide range of sports that have been adapted to be played by people with varying types of disability, as well as several that are unique to disabled sports. Within each movement, different sports are practiced at different levels; for example, not all sports in the Paralympic movement are part of the Paralympic Games. In addition, many sports are practiced by persons with a disability outside the formal sports movements.
There are several wheelchair sports associations and gaming opportunities. Wheelchair Sports Organization was founded in 1956 as National Wheelchair Athletic Association. In 1994, the name was changed to Wheelchair Sports, USA to more accurately reflect the organization's mission. The national offices moved to Colorado Springs, CO in 1982 to be closer to other sports committees recognized by the US Olympic Committee.
