The gym at Lasalle Secondary echoes with the squeak of rubber against polished hardwood – but these aren’t running shoes making the noise. It’s the specialized wheels of sport wheelchairs as players pivot, pass, and shoot during Independent Living Sudbury Manitoulin’s newest community initiative.
Starting this September, Sudbury residents of all abilities will have access to free wheelchair basketball sessions, a program designed to break down barriers and showcase the power of adaptive sports in Northern Ontario.
“This isn’t just about basketball,” explains Karrie Lepard, Independent Living Sudbury Manitoulin’s Executive Director. “It’s about creating spaces where people with and without disabilities can play together as equals.”
The program comes at a critical time. Statistics Canada reports that nearly 22% of Canadians live with some form of disability, yet accessible recreation options remain limited in many communities, particularly in Northern regions.
What makes this initiative stand out is its universal approach. Unlike many adaptive sports programs that focus exclusively on participants with disabilities, these sessions welcome everyone – disability or not.
“We want to flip the script,” says Mark Lenahan, a local wheelchair basketball enthusiast who helped develop the program. “Here, everyone uses the sport chairs. It creates this beautiful leveling effect where suddenly the focus is purely on skill and teamwork.”
The free sessions will run twice monthly at Lasalle Secondary School, with specialized sport wheelchairs provided on-site. Participants need only bring comfortable clothing and a willingness to try something new.
City Councillor Joanne Gervais attended a demonstration event last week and came away impressed. “What struck me was how quickly everyone forgot about the chairs and just focused on playing the game,” she noted. “The laughter in that gym tells me this program is going to make a real difference in our community.”
For Sudbury, a city working to improve its accessibility footprint, the timing couldn’t be better. The 2022 municipal accessibility plan highlighted recreation as a key area needing attention, with only three of eleven community centers fully meeting accessibility standards.
Rob DiMeglio has been using a wheelchair for nine years following a workplace accident. He joined the demonstration game despite never playing basketball before.
“It was liberating,” he says, still catching his breath after a fast-paced scrimmage. “I’ve sat on the sidelines watching my kids play sports for years. Today, they watched me. That means something.”
The program has found allies beyond the disability community. Local businesses have stepped up to help offset costs, with Northern Home Hardware donating equipment and Desjardins Insurance covering some of the venue fees.
“When we support inclusive recreation, we’re making a statement about what kind of community we want to be,” explains Pamela Setos of Desjardins. “It’s an investment in Sudbury’s social fabric.”
The initiative hasn’t been without challenges. Specialized sport wheelchairs cost upwards of $4,000 each, and the organization initially struggled to secure enough units. A timely grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation provided the final push needed to launch.
Dr. Elaine McKnight, a physiotherapist at Health Sciences North, sees therapeutic value beyond the social benefits. “Wheelchair basketball requires core strength, coordination, and cardiovascular fitness,” she explains. “Participants will see real physical benefits regardless of their ability status.”
For students at Lasalle Secondary, the program offers valuable perspective. Physical education classes will occasionally join the sessions, giving teenagers firsthand experience with adaptive sports.
“We talk about inclusion in the classroom, but this lets students live it,” says physical education teacher Jean Proulx. “I’ve seen how it changes their thinking about ability and disability.”
The first official session kicks off September 12th, with organizers expecting between 15-20 participants. No experience is necessary, and trained instructors will be on hand to guide newcomers through the basics.
Beyond recreation, the program aims to shift perceptions. Too often, wheelchair users are defined by what they can’t do rather than what they can.
“I’ve had people talk to me like I’m helpless,” says DiMeglio. “Then they see me flying down the court, blocking shots and sinking baskets. Suddenly, their whole perception changes.”
For Lepard, success will be measured not just in attendance numbers but in the connections forged. “If people with and without disabilities leave these sessions seeing each other differently – as teammates, as competitors, as friends – then we’ve accomplished something meaningful.”
As Sudbury continues working toward becoming a more inclusive community, initiatives like free wheelchair basketball represent important steps forward – proving that sometimes the most powerful way to break down barriers is simply to play together.
Those interested in participating can contact Independent Living Sudbury Manitoulin directly or register through their website. All ages and ability levels are welcome.
