Wheelchair Basketball School Program
Please contact us at schoolprograms@onpara.ca to learn more!
The ONPARA Wheelchair Basketball School Program offers students the opportunity to learn about inclusion, diversity and the importance of active living for all. Since 2017, we have reached 16 different school boards, provided over 235 presentations, and have taught 118,981 students about the fully inclusive sport of wheelchair basketball! Additionally, 76 schools have participated in our Rental Week program, to ensure that all students have the opportunity to play.
Please note: We plan to continue to deliver this program to as many schools as possible, however, priority will be given to schools that have one or more students with a physical disability.
Unfortunately, due to changes in staffing, we will not be able to honor any requests for new bookings this 2023 school year. We do apologize for any inconvenience.
We would like to accommodate your request in the future. If you would like to book a presentation for the following school year , please provide complete the Request Form
We appreciate your understanding and we look forward to working with you next school year.
If you have any questions please contact Naiomi Braithwaite – naiomi@onpara.ca
Wheelchair Basketball Presentation
Over the course of a 40-to-60-minute assembly-style presentation, staff and students will learn the rules and regulations of the sport of wheelchair basketball from an ONPARA facilitator and athlete ambassador. Students will get a chance to witness the ambassador’s athleticism as they demonstrate ball handling, passing, and their skills in a sport wheelchair.
The presentation then transitions into a question period that allows students to ask the athlete about wheelchair basketball, their disability, and their everyday life. The presentation ends with an exciting game of wheelchair basketball with a pre-selected group of students, and if there is enough time, the students will even get the chance to face off against the teachers! Our presentations are a fun-filled and informative way to introduce your school to an adaptive and inclusive sport.
Wheelchair Basketball Rental Week
The rental week component of the program provides schools with the opportunity to rent a set of 10-12 sport wheelchairs for one week. With the guidance of an ONPARA facilitator and/or coach for at least one day during the week-long program, teachers will lead students through the learning and practicing of sport chair skills and wheelchair basketball fundamentals during their physical education classes.
Written resource guides will be provided for teachers, and support will be available throughout the week. The emphasis will be on safety, inclusivity, and of course, FUN!
Wheelchair Basketball Festival
After participating in our rental program, secondary schools will have the opportunity to showcase their wheelchair basketball skills in a one-day, 3on3 wheelchair basketball tournament with other local schools that have also participated in our program. Exact regions, dates and festival formats TBD.
Virtual Wheelchair Basketball School Program
The Virtual School Program was created to provide an engaging and informative alternative to in-person presentations while also expanding the reach of our programming. The program consists of 6 videos (each between 7-9 minutes long), which can be played over the course of a week or over the teacher’s chosen timeline. Each video is accompanied by a resource guide including an athlete bio, an outline of the main topics contained in the video, and suggested discussion questions for students.
Topics addressed throughout the program include:
- Getting Involved in Adaptive Sport
- Adaptive Sport Clubs & Programs
- Accessibility and Inclusion
- Life as a Paralympian
- Inclusion in Wheelchair Basketball
- Trying a New Sport
The rebuilding of our Wheelchair Basketball School Program and return to in-person school programming has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Community Development Grant.
Initially created in partnership with Wheelchair Basketball Canada, this program introduces and promotes the inclusive sport of wheelchair basketball and encourages youth of all ages and abilities to be physically active. The development of the School Programs was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)¹.