At Abilities Beyond Limits (ABL), we exist to empower individuals of all ages with physical disabilities to live fuller, more confident lives by providing recreation, fitness, and leadership opportunities that build skills, confidence, and social connections. We go beyond traditional programs by involving families and friends, ensuring participants can apply what they learn independently and in their communities. Through this holistic approach, we help participants not only achieve personal growth but also strengthen their support networks, promote healthy living, and enjoy meaningful, lifelong inclusion in sports and recreation. To best complement existing opportunities, our primary service area will focus on the collar counties surrounding Chicago.
SLED HOCKEY
Sled hockey—also known as sledge hockey—is a fast-paced, high-energy adaptation of ice hockey designed for athletes with physical disabilities affecting the lower body. Played on a standard ice rink, the sport mirrors traditional hockey in its intensity, teamwork, and competitive spirit. Players propel themselves across the ice using two short sticks equipped with metal picks on one end for pushing and maneuvering, and blades on the other for passing, shooting, and stickhandling the puck. The result is a thrilling game that emphasizes speed, strategy, and physical engagement while fostering camaraderie and confidence among athletes.
The primary piece of adapted equipment is the sled, a lightweight metal frame mounted on one or two skate blades, with a molded seat and adjustable strapping system to provide stability and support. Sleds can be customized to accommodate an athlete’s specific mobility, balance, and core strength needs, allowing players to perform at their highest level. Additional protective gear—such as helmets, gloves, shoulder pads, and shin protection—closely resembles that used in stand-up hockey.
Sled hockey is our legacy program at Abilities Beyond Limits. The Hornets Sled Hockey team was started in 2003 by JJ O’Connor and serves youth ages 5 and older who have physical disabilities.
DRAGON BOAT
Paradragon boat racing is a dynamic, team-oriented adaptation of the traditional sport of dragon boat that brings athletes with physical disabilities together in a powerful display of rhythm, strength, and unity on the water. Crews paddle in unison to the beat of a drum, propelling a long, narrow boat forward through synchronized strokes that emphasize timing, coordination, and collective effort over individual ability. With roots in ancient cultural traditions and a strong modern competitive presence, paradragon racing offers an inclusive and exhilarating environment where athletes experience the thrill of racing while building teamwork, confidence, and community.
Paradragon teams utilize standard dragon boats, with some athletes using specialized seating, backrests, and bracing systems to provide added trunk support and stability as needed. Adaptive paddles, modified grip solutions, and customized seating configurations allow athletes with varying levels of mobility, balance, or limb difference to paddle safely and effectively. Personal flotation devices (pfd’s) are worn by all participants, and team compositions follow paradragon classification guidelines to ensure fair and competitive racing.
Our Hydras team collaborates with the Greater Chicago Dragon Boat Club to bring Paradragon opportunities to the greater Chicago area.
TEAM HANDBALL
Team handball is a fast-paced, high-scoring court sport that combines the speed of basketball, the physicality of soccer, and the precision of throwing sports. In adapted team handball, athletes compete in a dynamic team environment that emphasizes quick passes, strategic movement, and coordinated offensive and defensive play. Depending on the format, the game may be played standing or in a wheelchair, allowing athletes with a range of physical disabilities to fully engage in the action. The sport’s constant motion and emphasis on teamwork create an exciting, inclusive experience for both participants and spectators.
Adapted equipment in team handball is designed to support mobility and maximize performance while maintaining the integrity of the game. Wheelchair team handball uses sport-specific wheelchairs built for agility, speed, and durability, enabling sharp turns and rapid transitions across the court. A standard handball is used, sometimes with grip enhancements to assist athletes with limited hand function. Protective gear such as gloves or straps may be utilized as needed, and court markings and goals remain consistent with the traditional game. Adapted team handball offers athletes an empowering opportunity to develop skill, strategy, and camaraderie in a highly competitive team sport.
ROCK CLIMBING
Adapted rock climbing is an empowering and highly customizable sport that challenges athletes both physically and mentally while fostering confidence, problem-solving, and personal achievement. Climbers navigate artificial climbing walls at local climbing gyms, using strength, balance, and strategy to move upward toward clearly defined goals. Routes are set to accommodate a wide range of abilities, allowing athletes with physical disabilities—including visual impairments, hemiparesis, hemiplegia, and quadriplegia—to participate fully. Whether climbing independently or with support, athletes experience the thrill of progression and the satisfaction of reaching new heights in an inclusive environment.
Adaptations in rock climbing focus on individualized equipment and supportive systems that maximize access and body positioning support. Modified harnesses, including full-body or additional support harnesses, provide stability for climbers with limited trunk or limb control. Adaptive grips, prosthetic attachments, and customized route setting allow athletes to use their strongest movements effectively, while tactile holds, verbal cueing, and sighted guides support climbers with visual impairments. Adapted rock climbing demonstrates that with the right equipment, environment, and encouragement, the vertical world is accessible to all.
HIKING & OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Adapted hiking and camping offer individuals with physical disabilities the opportunity to explore the outdoors, build self-reliance, and connect with nature in meaningful and accessible ways. Participants experience the physical and mental benefits of time on the trail and under the stars while engaging in guided hikes, overnight camping trips, and outdoor skill development. Programs are designed to accommodate a wide range of abilities, emphasizing choice, teamwork, and adventure while fostering confidence, social connection, and a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors.
Adaptive equipment and thoughtful planning make hiking and camping accessible and enjoyable for all participants. Off-road and all-terrain mobility devices, such as adaptive trail wheelchairs or mobility carts, enable access to natural surfaces, while trekking poles, braces, and support systems assist with balance and endurance. Campsites may include accessible tents, adaptive sleeping systems, and modified cooking and fire-building equipment to support independence and participation. With trained staff, inclusive practices, and adaptive gear, hiking and camping programs remove barriers and open the door to outdoor adventure for people of all abilities.
ARCHERY
Adapted archery is a precision-based sport that emphasizes focus, control, and consistency while offering athletes of all abilities the opportunity to experience the satisfaction of hitting a target. Participants shoot arrows at stationary targets from set distances in a calm, structured environment that promotes confidence, patience, and personal achievement. Archery can be enjoyed recreationally or competitively and is highly adaptable, making it accessible to individuals with a wide range of physical disabilities while maintaining the integrity and challenge of the sport.
Adaptive archery equipment is designed to support proper form and accuracy based on each athlete’s needs. Modified bows may include lighter draw weights, draw-assist devices, or mechanical releases to aid athletes with limited grip or strength. Wheelchair users shoot from their chairs or adapted shooting stools, while bow stands and support systems help stabilize the bow for athletes with limited upper-body control. Additional adaptations—such as tactile aiming references, sight modifications, or verbal cueing—ensure safe and inclusive participation. Adapted archery highlights the power of precision and proves that success is driven by focus and determination, not physical limitation.
