5 Fun Activities for Adults with Disabilities

When children with diverse abilities become adults, it can be challenging for them to prioritize interests that are stimulating and pleasant. But the truth is, everyone needs to participate in activities that bring them joy to foster improved mental and physical health. The good news is that there are plenty of fun activities for adults with disabilities.

Participating in activities outside of work or school presents an opportunity for differently-abled people to form strong social bonds with people that have similar interests and life experiences. And some activities also allow people with diverse abilities to fit some physical exercise into their daily routine.

With fun daily activities, differently-abled people can feel a sense of accomplishment, boost their self-esteem, and improve their social skills — no matter their unique challenges.

The ​​Different Types of Disabilities 
When choosing fun activities for adults with disabilities, you must first take into account how their particular disability affects their lifestyle and capabilities. Generally speaking, disabilities can be classified into different categories based on the area of functioning they impact. While there are many types of disabilities, these are a few of the most common categories:

• Physical Disabilities: These disabilities affect a person's physical functioning and mobility. Examples include paralysis, amputations, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injuries.
• Sensory Disabilities: Sensory disabilities involve impairments in the senses, such as sight, hearing, or both. Blindness, low vision, deafness, and being hard of hearing are examples of sensory disabilities.
• Cognitive Disabilities: Cognitive disabilities affect a person's mental processes, including memory, problem-solving, learning, and attention. Conditions such as intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and learning disabilities fall into this category.

• Developmental Disabilities: Developmental disabilities are characterized by delays or impairments in physical, cognitive, or emotional development. Examples include Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and fetal alcohol syndrome.

By recognizing an individual’s particular abilities and needs, you can make any necessary accommodations and find the right activities to enrich their lives.

5 Fun Activities for Adults with Disabilities 
People with disabilities can participate in the same activities as anyone else, especially when these activities are tailored to fit their needs. Just remember, if you or a loved one is interested in taking on a new physical activity, you’ll need to consult a healthcare provider to ensure that it’s safe to participate.

1. Join a Book Club
Reading is a fun way for differently-abled people to connect with others through the medium of literature, so why not try joining a book club? Book clubs allow people with intellectual disabilities to hone their reading and comprehension skills. Meanwhile, people with physical disabilities can engage with others on an intellectual level. Joining a book club is also a great way for people with autism to develop their social skills while learning more about their special interests.

As with most activities for adults with disabilities, book clubs typically offer adaptations for people that don’t read print, which might include braille, using screen readers, or having someone read for them. With the right tools, everyone can participate in a communal book club experience!

2. Try an Adaptive Cooking or Baking Class
Creating delicious dishes in the kitchen is loads of fun for everyone! Making something out of nothing instills a sense of pride and accomplishment in differently-abled people. And to sweeten the deal, they’ll get to enjoy new foods they may not have considered before. 

Cooking classes show that activities for adults with disabilities can be practical, as well. Whipping up a meal in the kitchen presents an opportunity for people with disabilities to learn critical life skills, like measuring ingredients and following instructions. And of course, people with disabilities can connect with like-minded individuals while they learn how to prepare a flavorful meal!

3. Take an Adaptive Yoga Class
Some people think that only the ultra-flexible can take a yoga class, but this simply isn’t true! In the realm of activities for adults with disabilities, yoga is often overlooked, because some people believe that they aren’t flexible or strong enough to participate. However, anybody can try their hand at yoga, especially if it’s an adaptive yoga class.

Adaptive yoga is a type of yoga made for differently-abled people that includes multiple variations of classic yoga poses. Since adaptive yoga classes are more individualized than traditional yoga classes, the classes are smaller to ensure that the instructors can focus on each person’s unique needs.

4. Take an Adaptive Fitness Class
When it comes to activities for adults with disabilities, an adaptive fitness class is an experience they won’t want to miss. Adaptive fitness classes are similar to any other fitness class, except that the instructors create new versions of classic exercises so that differently-abled people can get moving, too. Most adaptive fitness classes accommodate multiple people at once, so it’s a great way to make friends and work out at the same time.

Even if someone is managing a physical or mental disability, adaptive fitness specialists have the skills necessary to ensure that all their students get their blood pumping! There are plenty of ways for adaptive fitness specialists to spark physical activity, so whether it’s through low-impact cardio or strength training, they’ll know how to meet each student’s fitness needs.

​5. Get in the Groove and Try Dancing
Listening to music while dancing is a great way for differently-abled people to have fun and express themselves. And the best part is, they can do it alone or with friends. 

Dancing allows people that have trouble communicating with language to benefit from having a new outlet for their emotions while they get their daily hour of physical activity. The powerful combination of music and dance can create a transcendent experience that allows differently-abled people to communicate their deepest feelings without speaking a word.

Also, many dance studios offer classes specifically for people with disabilities. When instructors create adaptive dance routines, everyone can participate in the fun! 

Get Moving and Make Friends with Let's Go Fitness
If you’re looking for a special needs fitness program but you’re not sure where to start, our team at Let’s Go Fitness is here to help. We provide special needs fitness programs for differently-abled individuals.

At Let's Go Fitness, we strive to create a welcoming environment where anyone can make friends, get in shape, and have fun doing it! Our adaptive fitness specialists guide participants every step of the way. Whether our athletes need accommodations, modifications, or simply an understanding listener, we'll help everyone reach their goals.

Are you ready to start a fitness journey for yourself or a loved one? Contact Let's Go Fitness today to learn more about our membership packages!

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