While wheelchairs and football may seem an unlikely combination, a unique program offered by The Ability Center has made scoring a touchdown a reality for sports enthusiasts with and without disabilities.
Started nearly 24 years ago, the Toledo Crash football program fully took off in 2003 in partnership with The Ability Center. The team took a break in 2016 but with renewed interest, the program is now back and better than ever!
“The Toledo Crash is an integrated wheelchair football team dedicated to increasing awareness and building community,” shared Maggie Dreier, director of independent living at The Ability Center. “The purpose of the team is for everyone to enjoy playing a competitive sport together and have fun along the way, just like any other sports team. Everyone, whether they have a disability or not, gets to see what is possible. Outdated stereotypes die on the court and the real meaning of independent living is seen. The name of the team speaks for itself and is the love of the game.”
As a center for independent living, The Ability Center is focused on making Toledo the most disability friendly community in the nation.
“It made sense to add adaptive sports along with our other programming,” Dreier added. “All of our programs are all inclusive, meaning whether you have a disability or not, you are welcome.”
The Toledo Crash football program follows the rules of traditional American football with adaptations made to accommodate players using sports wheelchairs. The game is played on a basketball court with a 7-man team. Using a Nerf or rubber football, players block, run routes, catch the ball, stop the run, and cover receivers. From the opening kick-off to rushing, tackling, intercepting the ball and scoring a touchdown, it’s an exciting and fast-paced game.
Using different classifications for players who have varied abilities, wheelchair football allows all individuals to compete on an equal basis. Level one players have fully functioning arms, hands and eyes and must catch and hold onto the ball. Level two players have limited arm and hand movement or a visual impairment. Level three players have minimal/no arm movement or are blind, with noise-making devices used to help players locate their target. Depending on a player’s level, the rules vary for running, tackling, recovering a fumble, completing or intercepting a pass.
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“The best part of this program is that everyone can play, and the rules adapt according to ability level to keep things fair,” Dreier added. “But do not let the sound of adaptations swing you into thinking this is a fluff sport. These players will dump you out of your chair. It is a great time!”
The Toledo Crash football season runs from October through February. Crash Football is a public team and anyone 14 and older is welcome to play, with sports chairs provided. Practices are held on Tuesdays from 4:30-6 p.m. at The Ability Center located at 5605 Monroe Street in Sylvania. Game locations vary and opponents include local teams of players with and without disabilities. The annual championship game will be held with the Toledo Rocket football team on January 25 on the University of Toledo campus.
Although the season is currently underway, Toledo Crash is always looking for new players and is also looking for groups or organizations who would like to play against Toledo Crash. More information about the Crash Football program is available on The Ability Center’s website or by calling 419-885-5733. Additional information and a link to sign-up for the program can be found on the Toledo Crash Football team’s Facebook page, facebook.com/ToledoCrash.
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