Adaptive Tennis
USTA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Adaptive Tennis
USTA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Adaptive Tennis Programs
USTA Southern California champions adaptive tennis, partnering with providers to offer inclusive instructional, social, and competitive programs. These opportunities welcome athletes of all abilities, proving that tennis has no limits—anyone can play, compete, and thrive.
With modified rules, specialized equipment, and supportive environments, adaptive tennis fosters confidence, resilience, and community. It enhances physical fitness, social connections, and independence, ensuring that everyone can experience the joy of the game. Whether an athlete is visually impaired, or has intellectual disabilities, tennis can be adapted to meet their needs.
More than just a sport, adaptive tennis breaks down barriers and expands access, creating a space where all players feel empowered. USTA SoCal is dedicated to making tennis a sport for everyone, offering programs that celebrate inclusion and diversity.
From ACEing Autism to the Special Olympics and Angel City Games, USTA SoCal proudly supports organizations that make tennis accessible to all, reinforcing that the sport is truly for everyone.
> ADAPTIVE GRANTS
USTA Adaptive Grant: The Adaptive Committee approved grants totaling $75,000 in November 2024 to be paid in January 2025. These grants ranged from $1,000-$4,000 and were awarded to 33 programs representing 11 sections from across the country.
The 2025 grant cycle will open in September with an early November deadline to apply.
> ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT
Request a Community Kit from USTA Southern California.
Tennis for the Blind & Visually Impaired
Blind and Visually Impaired (BVI) Tennis began in Japan in 1984, pioneered by Miyoshi Takei, who lost his sight as a child. At 16, he adapted tennis for blind players by adding raised court lines, a lower net, and a sound-emitting ball, allowing up to four bounces based on sight classification.
Takei’s vision turned Blind and Visually Impaired tennis into a global sport, now played in over 40 countries. The International Blind Tennis Association (IBTA) was founded in 1992 with a mission is to further grow and develop the sport as well as support BVI athletes.
Founded in 2022, the United States Blind Tennis Association (USBTA) is committed to expanding access to BVI tennis through training and clinics led by founder Dana Costa and head pro David Dilettuso. Committed to inclusivity, they create opportunities nationwide, breaking barriers for an underrepresented community in sports.
USTA Southern California hosted its first BVI Tennis clinic in December 2024 along with the USBTA and Wayfinder Family Services.
Southern California Adaptive Programs
Looking for a program that serves a specific population? Follow the key below to learn more about the disabilities served by each program.
* – Cognitive & Developmental (Autism, Down Syndrome, Cognitive Disability, Traumatic Brain Injury)
^ – Physical & Recovery (Impairments of hearing, vision, orthopedic, Cystic Fibrosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Stroke, Amputee, Spinal Cord Injury)
% – Emotional & Social (Mental, Physical, Substance, Environmentally Disabled, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
ACEing Autism offers unique tennis programs for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, helping children build social connections and improve fitness through affordable, personalized programming. The three different types of programming includes Community, School-Based, and Adult.
The Wounded Warrior Tennis Program uses tennis as a means of rehabilitation for service members and veterans who have become wounded, ill, or injured. Participation in activities provides the tools needed to reintegrate back into the community, enhance their quality of life, and promote living a fit and healthy lifestyle.
Free weekly tennis clinics and annual tennis camps are offered!
A youth-led nonprofit organization and growing tennis program created for children with intellectual or developmental differences who are between the ages 8-17.
Camps and clinics are offered throughout the year that focus on tennis fundamentals, physical exercise, and social skills.
SoCal Adaptive Sports’ mission is to enable people with disabilities to participate inclusively throughout society by creating greater equity and inclusion through sports, physical fitness, recreation, social, and other opportunities
Everything from tennis, archery, bowling, hiking, football, and many more programs are offered year round through clinics, camps, and meet-ups.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS (*)
Inland Empire, Kern County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County
In addition to offering traditional singles and doubles events, Special Olympics offers individual skills competition to allow athletes to train and compete in basic tennis skills.
Tennis is offered during the fall season (September through November)
Wayfinder’s recreation program offers adaptive sports, memorable trips and camps for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
BVI Tennis launched at Wayfinder in December 2024 and monthly clinics are currently offered the last Saturday of each month.
