Quinnipiac University to host first Adaptive Sports and Recreation Exploration Day on Sept. 6

Press release

NORTH HAVEN – Quinnipiac University's Center for Interprofessional Healthcare Education, in collaboration with the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Connecticut, will host the first-ever Adaptive Sports and Recreation Exploration Day from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 6, on the North Haven Campus, 370 Bassett Road.

This free event is open to students, healthcare professionals, individuals with disabilities, families and members of the public. The event highlights a wide range of adaptive sports and recreational opportunities available in Connecticut and encourages participation in inclusive and accessible physical activity.

“Our goal is to raise awareness of the broad and exciting range of adaptive recreation options available in our area,” said Julie Booth, director of Quinnipiac’s Center for Interprofessional Healthcare Education and clinical associate professor of physical therapy. “Think about it, whether you have a disability or not, what do sports and recreation do for you? It improves your health, but it also builds self-esteem, confidence and a sense of community. All those same benefits apply to people with challenges. This event helps make those opportunities visible and accessible.”

About a dozen vendors will be on site, including:

More Than Walking
Gaylord Sports Association
Special Olympics Connecticut
Advanced Wheels (adaptive vans)
Achilles International (adaptive running teams)
LOF Adaptive Skiers
A variety of fitness programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
The event will feature:

Live demonstrations of wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby
Specialized equipment will be on display, including specific sports wheelchairs.
Sign-up opportunities for future recreation programs and events
The event will take place in several locations on Quinnipiac’s North Haven Campus, including Room SLE 401 on the fourth floor of the School of Law, the campus basketball court and the first floor of the parking garage.

Students from Quinnipiac’s adaptive sports and recreation course will also be volunteering as part of their interprofessional education training, gaining hands-on experience and contributing to the event’s success.

“Adaptive sports are essential,” said Elizabeth Wescott, clinical associate professor of occupational therapy, who helped plan the event. “They promote empowerment and physical well-being, can help to build confidence, develop social connections and foster independence. As an occupational therapist, adaptive sports have played a huge role in many of my clients’ lives, and I am excited to share with our students the importance of advocating and educating their future clients on involvement in adaptive sports and recreation.”

Visitors can park in the parking garage and enter through the School of Law. Click here to register.

Click here to register.