Featured Organization: UMAISE

Audio description: UMAISE logo with the letters “UMAISE” spelled out in blue capital letters but the M in yellow. Under the logo is the text, “University of Michigan Adaptive And Inclusive Sports Experience”

The University of Michigan Adaptive and Inclusive Sports Experience (UMAISE) aims to enhance the physical, social and emotional development for people with disabilities by providing quality, local and low-cost sports and recreation opportunities throughout the lifespan. UMAISE provides affordable access to a variety of sports opportunities for all ages and abilities. 

UMAISE sports programs are designed, organized, and run by the health professionals of Michigan Medicine’s Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Our event volunteers, supervised under these professionals, come from organizations that are familiar to the University of Michigan family. When needed, we also have opportunity to bring in other specialists to enhance the use of sports equipment or host clinics.

After receiving a generous donation from Epic Systems to create an adaptive sports program within the University of Michigan, UMAISE began with a single kayaking program in the summer of 2017. Since then, it has grown to over 13 adaptive sports programs and reaches over 600 individuals in our community.  Our current programs include pediatric wheelchair basketball (Rollverines), adaptive pickleball, adaptive yoga, boccia, adaptive martial arts, hiking club, adaptive fishing, adaptive kayaking, handcycling, indoor/outdoor camping, and adaptive archery. We plan to add adaptive golf and walker soccer over the course of 2025.

If you’re interested in participating, volunteering, or supporting us, please visit www.michmed.org/adaptivesports or contact pmr-umaisetr@umich.edu.