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Paralympic Sport Development:
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Paralympic Collegiate Resources

Collegiate athletics are critical to Team USA’s success. Para eligible athletes are competing in a variety of programs in collegiate programs at all levels from Division I to Division III. Collegiate programs and opportunities for Para athletes are on the rise and continue to be a focus for our athletes to continue to train and receive a post-secondary education.

There are a variety of locations for collegiate athletic programs for Para athletes. The following are a few locations for programming:

  • NCAA varsity programs provide an inclusive model within the athletic department for a Para athlete to compete with their peers. An athlete with a disability competes with his or her peers on the same team.
  • Adaptive sport programs are programs that are primarily geared towards athletes with disabilities. These programs may be housed in an education or recreation department such as a disability services department or a college of human development. An example of this type of programming would be adaptive sport programs such as wheelchair basketball or wheelchair tennis programs.
  • Club programming is available for several sports in that athletes participate on a club team with the college. These programs may be specific for Para athletes or may be an inclusive model for the sport. For example, many triathlon sport programs are housed in the club space and open to both athletes with and without disabilities and may compete together.
  • Recreation programs are available to athletes with disabilities that may be continual programming or could be a seasonal opportunity.

We encourage you to review the resources below that will guide you in learning more about the collegiate space for athletes with disabilities.


If you have any questions, please email us at ParalympicSport.Info@usopc.org.

  • Collegiate Recruiting Form

    Team USA is looking to identify collegiate athletes with Para-eligible impairments for engagement within Paralympic sport pathways. Many athletes with Para eligible impairments don't realize they may be eligible for Paralympic sport. Whether your impairment is congenital or was acquired before, during, or after college, we want to connect with you.

    Para Recruiting Form, opens in a new tab
  • GMTM Showcase

    Are you an athlete or fitness enthusiast with a disability, looking to take your athletic journey to the next level? Whether you've been involved in able-bodied sports your whole life, experienced an injury, or have a congenital impairment, we want to hear from you.

    View Showcase, opens in a new tab
  • NGB Collegiate Sport Resources

  • Collegiate Adaptive Sport Programs

    To view a list of schools that offer adaptive sport programming, please view the database listed below. We encourage you to explore several school options and evaluate if the school is the correct choice for you.

    Collegiate Adaptive Sport Programs
  • Collegiate Athlete Testimonials

    Learn firsthand how Team USA athletes have grown and developed through our country's collegiate sports system.

    Hear Their Experiences

Para College Sport

Para College Sport

Para sport opportunities in college are growing. Do you have student-athletes with disabilities on campus who are looking to represent your school in competition?

Learn more and start your journey today.