Young athletes with disabilities in Central Florida will soon have greater access to adaptive sports thanks to a new Orange County grant awarded to Central Florida Dreamplex.
Orange County’s Neighborhood Services Division has awarded the nonprofit organization a $15,000 Youth Sports Enhancement Grant to help expand its Orlando Magic Dreamers youth wheelchair basketball program. The funding will be used to purchase specialized sports wheelchairs and new team uniforms, making it possible for more children and teens to participate in the program.
Sports wheelchairs are specially designed for competitive play but can cost thousands of dollars, often creating a financial barrier for families. County officials said the investment will help remove those obstacles while creating more opportunities for athletes ages 5 to 18 to experience the physical, social and emotional benefits of adaptive sports.
For 16-year-old Orlando Magic Dreamers player Adriel Rosario, wheelchair basketball has become much more than a sport.
“Wheelchair basketball gave me a space where my disability didn’t hold me back,” Rosario said in a statement. “The team gave me a community where I belong and a court where I can compete at full strength.”
Central Florida Dreamplex CEO Cameron Gomes said the grant will help the organization continue its mission of making sports accessible to young people of all abilities.
“We are incredibly grateful to Orange County for investing in our athletes,” Gomes said. “This grant will help more young people get onto the court, build confidence, and experience the belonging that comes from being part of a team.”
The Youth Sports Enhancement Grant supports nonprofit organizations that provide public youth sports programs by helping fund facility improvements and program enhancements. To qualify, organizations must ensure their programs are open and accessible to participants without exclusionary eligibility requirements.
Central Florida Dreamplex serves children and adults with disabilities through adaptive sports, recreation, fitness and educational programs. The Orlando Magic Dreamers wheelchair basketball program gives young athletes the opportunity to compete, develop new skills and build lasting friendships in an inclusive team environment.
Orange County officials said the grant reflects the county’s ongoing commitment to expanding recreational opportunities for all residents and ensuring that every child has the chance to participate in youth sports, regardless of ability.
