Schools Program

Wheelchair Basketball Canada’s Schools Program is designed to educate teachers and students about the sport of wheelchair basketball and encourage youth, with or without a disability, to be physically active. The inclusive program generates awareness for parasport and promotes positive attitudinal change toward disability.

How it works:

Our Schools Program Coordinator will come to your school with all the equipment needed to provide a highly experiential program. During an approximately 90-minute session, students will learn the basics of wheelchair basketball, including skills, drills, and rules. They will also have a chance to actively experience the sport through fun activities and a game. Importantly, this highly inclusive sport allows students of all abilities to play together!

The Schools Program Coordinator can deliver the sessions in both French and English.

Thank you to our partner, Lepine Apartments

Wheelchair Basketball Canada is grateful to Lepine Apartments for its generous support of this program.

“Lépine is sponsoring the Ottawa2026 School Program to support the opportunity it creates for our youth to see beyond themselves and set their sights on a more inclusive, accessible, and diverse Canada. When our children exercise their bodies physically through sports and teamwork, regardless of their abilities, they will better understand themselves and their fellow Canadians. As they strive to increase their personal best alongside their peers, they will gain additional resolve to achieve excellence together and become the community builders of the future.”

– Francis Lepine, CEO

Testimonial

“Our students, literally, were begging and screaming for more. They wanted to ask more questions, those who had a chance craved more time to try out the wheelchairs; those who didn’t get a chance were bouncing at the opportunity to hopefully have a turn. It was a hit, our gymnasium was electric. The students and staff loved it!!!

The students learned a valuable, hands-on lesson of the physical and mental strength it requires to be able-bodied within a wheelchair. Through this learning they demonstrated sincere respect and empathy for athletes and others living day-to-day with the aid of a wheelchair. As an added bonus, our staff got a chance to try a game of basketball, and they each certainly appreciated how good of a workout it is while having loads of fun!

The assembly promoted simple and powerful messages about ability, empathy, inclusion and perseverance, and we are thankful and grateful for the opportunity to be impacted by such meaningful messages.”

– Health and Physical Education Teacher, Toronto

Attend Ottawa2026

The Schools Program is a legacy initiative of the 2026 Wheelchair Basketball World Championships, which will take place in Ottawa from September 9 to 19, 2026.

All schools that participate will also be invited to attend Ottawa2026 and be inspired by the world’s best wheelchair athletes.