Wheelchair basketball is more than a sport—it is a pathway to health, identity, belonging, and opportunity. For many adaptive athletes, stepping onto the court is the first time they truly experience inclusion, confidence, and community. Yet across the country, opportunities to play are far too limited. Schools often lack inclusive programs, and community teams operate with scarce resources and volunteer capacity. Without sustained support, countless athletes will never discover the life-changing power of this game.

The National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) is ready to change that. Backed by a proven network that spans grassroots programs to Team USA, we have a national roadmap to expand access, build sustainable infrastructure, and elevate visibility for adaptive athletes everywhere. But we cannot do it alone. Your donation fuels this vision—providing equipment, training, competition opportunities, and the support systems athletes need to thrive.

Together, we can ensure wheelchair basketball remains not just a game, but a launchpad for wellness, leadership, and equity. Join us in tipping off a new era of adaptive sport in America—one where every athlete has the chance to discover their potential.

Wheelchair basketball was born in VA hospitals in the aftermath of World War II—and since then, it has become a global sport with the U.S. as a perennial powerhouse. Founded in 1949, the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) is the world’s oldest and largest adaptive sports organization. As the governing body for wheelchair basketball in the U.S., the NWBA supports more than 2,500 athletes across 250 teams and eight competitive divisions. The NWBA also selects, trains, and manages Team USA in international wheelchair basketball competitions, including the Paralympics.  

Introducing and recruiting new athletes is mission-critical to the future of wheelchair basketball. Yet for many individuals with disabilities—who already face disproportionate socioeconomic challenges—the costs of participation create overwhelming barriers. Specialized equipment, training, and travel all add up, and the first step alone can feel impossible: a sports wheelchair, averaging $5,000, is often a prohibitive hurdle before an athlete ever gets the chance to try the game.

Those who make it onto the court will tell you the same thing—rolling into a basketball chair and pushing out for the first time is life-changing. Research consistently shows that individuals with physical disabilities who participate in adaptive sports experience better physical and mental health, stronger social connections, greater independence, and higher rates of employment. Yet, less than 45% of people with disabilities report engaging in regular physical activity. This gap is exactly where the NWBA steps in—breaking down barriers, creating access, and opening the door to opportunity through sport.