Sports/Running:

Joseph Maley Foundation run 2gether: As an initiative under Joseph Maley Fitness, run2gether pairs individuals with disabilities between the ages of six and 21 with a group of experienced runners. The athletes with disabilities are known as the captains, while the experienced runners are their crew. The crew pushes the captain in specially designed running/racing wheelchairs. Together they train for and then compete in a variety of racing events from 5Ks to marathons around central Indiana.

TOPSoccer:  A community-based training and team placement program for athletes with disabilities, organized by youth soccer association volunteers. The program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any players, age 8 and older, who have a mental or physical disability.

Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation Adaptive Programming: Offerings include adult karaoke, cardio dance, cycling, yoga, swim lessons, culinary classes, outdoor adventure and more! 

Brownsburg Challenger Baseball- The Challenger Division was established in 1989 as a separate division of Little League to enable boys and girls with physical and mental challenges, ages 5-18, or up to age 22 if still enrolled in high school, to enjoy the game of baseball along with the millions of other children who participate in this sport worldwide.

Hendricks Community Soccer STAR Program- STAR Soccer stands for Success Through Adaptive Rec Soccer, and the goal of our STAR program is to adapt the game of soccer for all special needs and abilities, and to give kids with special needs the ability to participate in the same soccer programs that their siblings participate in. 

Cosmic Kids Yoga: (on YouTube) Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation for kids. Interactive adventures which build strength, balance and confidence - and get kids into yoga and mindfulness early!

 

Special Olympics Indiana:  Special Olympics Indiana provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in more than 20 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, reaching more than 18,000 athletes across Indiana.

Through Special Olympics Indiana, athletes gain opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. It’s a movement that impacts lives for the better. It’s an organization that needs you!

To become eligible for Special Olympics training, competition, and programming, athletes must complete an online Athlete Application, as well as, a completed and signed Medical Form.  To access the forms, contact your County Coordinator.

Horse Therapy:

Agape- Unbridled Hope: Minimum riding age is 4. We are able to work with a wide range of disabilities.

Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding: Lessons are designed to address riding goals as the priority, but, factor in the individual’s educational, physical, social, and recreational goals as well. Participants with a wide array of disabilities are active in this program. To achieve lesson goals, instructors may incorporate various arena exercises and games, as well as riding on our trails.

Art and Social Clubs:

Self-Advocates of Indiana: SAI chapters meet regularly to participate in social activities, volunteer opportunities, and to learn skills of self-advocacy. With more than 40 chapters throughout the state, there is sure to be a group near you!

ArtMix: Our programs utilize the arts as a mean of learning and skill building. In this way ArtMix provides both access to and opportunities for achievement in and through the arts for people with disabilities.

Villages of Merici offer community programs including yoga, a course on relationships and sexuality, a garden club, a nutrition class, a walking club, and an evening meet-up for people who like to play cards and board games.

Tangram offers virtual activities and social groups including Bingo club, a book club, a music club, and virtual art lessons that you can participate in from the comfort of your own home.

Ripple Mobile Arts-   Studio classes offer the ability for free movement to keep your child engaged and comfortable.  Clay can offer a way to squish and add many tactile and texture opportunities.  Add in the pottery wheel, if desired. 

Kids Dance Outreach- While KDO programs are inclusive and serve children of all abilities, the Dancers with Disabilities programs offer further opportunities specifically designed for children with disabilities to allow them to dance, grow, and succeed in a safe and supportive environment. 

The Dance Refinery Adaptive Dance Program- Adaptive Dance is an opportunity to explore and experience the joy of movement with a supportive, creative community, regardless of experience and/or abilities. It is also a wonderful opportunity to integrate these various levels of experience and abilities in a powerful, exciting, educational, and creative atmosphere all under the guidance of a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist!

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Swim Lessons

Indianapolis Area Locations:
Baxter YMCA Adapted Swim Classes WAVES 
Stony Creek Swim Center: Specialty Classes 
Applied Behavior Center ABA Swim Lessons
AquaTots Special Needs Aquatic Program (SNAP)
Goldfish Swim School (3 locations around Indianapolis- they offer individual and group classes for children of all abilities)

 

Access Pass

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The Access Pass program is open to Indiana residents who receive state assistance either through Hoosier Healthwise Insurance, SNAP or TANF assistance programs.

The Access Pass is good for one year. After enrolling or renewing in the program, qualified families will receive an Access Pass card. A qualifying adult named on the card must present the card and an Indiana photo ID at the participating organization the family is visiting. Families can visit participating locations for just $2 per family member on the account per visit.

Participating member institutions include:

• Conner Prairie

• Eiteljorg Museum

• Indiana Historical Society

• Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT)

• Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites

• Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

• NCAA Hall of Champions

• Newfields

• Rhythm! Discovery Center

• Terre Haute Children’s Museum

• The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

• WonderLab in Bloomington

Access Pass - Indiana State Museum (indianamuseum.org)

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Best Buddies Indiana

Offering One-to-One Friendship, Integrated Employment, and Leadership Development programs for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Indiana.

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Hollis Adams Foundation

Hollis Adams (HA) is a privately funded nonprofit that has served adults with developmental disabilities for 50 years. We offer social, recreational, and community-based opportunities through a wide variety of events and activities.

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YMCA Access

The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis provides financial assistance for children, teens, adults and families who cannot afford the full cost of a Y membership. That’s why we base membership rates and program fees on total household income. Our sliding scale begins for households with total income of less than $55,000 per year. If you would like to privately discuss our different levels of assistance, please call or stop by the Member Services desk at any of our centers.

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Camps:

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Camp Noble: They welcome youth with and without disabilities and they provide an inclusive environment for everyone to learn, grow and have fun. Camps run 9 am – 3:30 pm Monday through Friday. Ages 8-18.
Indianapolis, IN

Camp Millhouse: Camp Millhouse is a residential summer camp for children and adults of all ages with varying disabilities. They offer six one-week sessions in the summer and spring/fall camp weekends. Their camper to staff ratios are never more than 4 to 1 and they also take campers who require one to one care.
South Bend, Indiana

Embracing Abilities Summer Camp: Summer Camp will consist of fun daily field trips in and around our communities for exploration, vocational skills, physical activities, life skills, creative experiences and more. Ages 5 plus.
Avon, Indiana

Summer @ CIP (College Internship Program):  Two-week summer programs for students with learning differences on highly-rated college or university campuses across the U.S. High school students entering 10th, 11th and 12th grade in the Fall, as well as recent high school graduates.
Bloomington, Indiana

Camp Wy.Not: ADEC is proud to provide one of the only full-summer camps in the Michiana area that serves children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Programming runs from June 7th- August 9th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m Monday through Friday with the exception of Independence Day. Summer camp will take place at the Elkhart CAPS building located at 1000 W. Hively Elkhart, IN.

Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation: CCPR’s Summer Camp Series includes traditional and enrichment camp options for children ages 5-15 years old. They welcome participants of many different ability levels, and strive to provide an exciting, positive, and safe program for all. For questions about CCPR’s programs and inclusive services available, please contact Aimee Rich, Inclusion Supervisor at arich@carmelclayparks.com.
Carmel, Indiana

Camp Mephibosheth: Mephibosheth Ministries is a non-profit organization with a camp program serving teens 13 years old up through adults of all ages, from all over central Indiana who have disabilities. All of the camp activities—the flying squirrel, the rock wall, archery, canoeing, horseback riding, the mudslide, fishing, volleyball—are adapted to the level of each camper's abilities.

Cicero, Indiana

Camp Red Cedar: Campers participate in a variety of activities. Camp Red Cedar offers camps for other campers with disabilities in addition to the specialized Journey Camp for children with autism spectrum disorders.
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Camp Gather: Camp Gather is a therapeutic recreation camp for youth, ages 6 through 13. Camper to counselor ratio is 3:1. Campers will participate in daily swimming, nature walks, large & small motor skills activities, life skills workshops, and weekly art projects.
Indianapolis, Indiana

Camp Gather on the Move: Camp Gather on the Move is a therapeutic recreation camp for youth, ages 14 to 18. Campers will take part in activities that will help them become more self-sufficient in their daily living. Activities include home life skills, community programs and building daily communication skills. Campers will also participate in daily swimming, nature walks, large & small motor skills activities, life skills workshops, and weekly art projects. Camp is offered for six weeks and campers can sign up for one or all weeks. Camper to counselor ratio is 3:1. Indianapolis, Indiana

Camp EGTI: Camp EGTI is for campers ages 18-22 who has/had an IEP, does not require 1-1 supervision, does not exhibit behavior that is disruptive or of a safety concern and displays a willingness to participate. It is a residential camp focused on growing each camper’s independence to assist with the transition to adult life. Muncie, Indiana

Camp Sharing Meadows: Sharing Meadows is a camp for adults 18+ with different disabilities. Activities swimming, campfires, DJ dances, picnics, fishing, boating, celebrations with God, value sessions, arts/crafts, treasure hunts, games like chair volleyball, bean bag tournaments, and more.
Rolling Prairie, Indiana

Camp Lee-Mar: Camp Lee Mar is a private, 7-week residential special needs summer camp for campers ages 7-21. They offer unique summer programs for kids with special needs with a full curriculum incorporating a strong Academic and Speech program with traditional camp activities. Campers flourish at Camp Lee Mar due to the structured environment they provide, which allows campers to feel comfortable and secure. 
Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania

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(all descriptions are taken from the organizations' websites)