Three young girls wearing blue "High Five" t-shirts, one with a medal, standing indoors in a gymnasium, smiling for a photo.

High five

Sports Programs For Athletes With Disabilities

The Joy of sports

Through small group and 1:1 instruction, Our High Five program creates an inclusive environment where athletes with disabilities develop skills, build confidence, and experience the joy of sports. High Five welcomes all ages and abilities!

Group of smiling kids in orange High Five shirts pose together in a gym, representing friendship, and youth empowerment through The Champion Project, Sports Programs for athletes with disabilities in Western New York

Current and upcoming
High five programs

Sports Programs For Athletes With Disabilities

Event flyer with orange, pink, and blue colors advertising high five sports programs for athletes with disabilities in Buffalo. Features icons for playground, baseball, guided hike & fishing, and golf activities. Includes dates, times, locations, and registration information.

PLAYGROUND

Yellow star shape on a white background.
Register - Elementary Baseball

GUIDED HIKE & FISHING

Register - Elementary Golf
Register - Elementary Hike & Fish
Register - Elementary Playground

BASEBALL

Registration - MS/HS Playground
Registration - MS/HS Baseball
Registration - MS/HS Hike & Fish

GOLF

Registration - MS/HS Golf
Flyer for the High Five Adult Series summer 2026. The flyer mentions sports programs for athletes with disabilities age 22+ including Broom Ball on Wednesdays in June, Soccer on Mondays in July, Guided Hike & Fishing on Mondays in August, and Volleyball on Fridays in August. The flyer includes icons for each sport, dates, times, locations at The R.O.C.K. in West Seneca, and registration details. It features a purple background with stars and a QR code in the top right corner.
Bright yellow, five-pointed star on a white background.

Soccer - Adult

Register for Soccer- Adult

Guided Hike & Fishing - Adult

Register for Hike & Fish - Adult

Volleyball - Adult

Register for Volleyball - Adult

Broom Ball - Adult

Register for Broom Ball- Adult

iCan Bike Camp

June 29th - July 3rd, 2026

SESSION TIMES:

Session 1 - 8:30am-9:45am
Session 2 - 10:05am-11:20am
Session 3 - 11:40am-12:55pm
Session 4 - 1:55pm-3:10pm
Session 5 - 3:30pm-4:45pm

Colorful flyer promoting the High Five program, part of the iCan Shine organization, in Western New York. The flyer includes information about individuals with disabilities learning to ride two-wheel bikes at iCan Bike camp, with details on registration, volunteer requirements, and event dates from June 29 to July 3.

RIDER REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! 

VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION IS NOW oPEN!

iCan Shine is a national, charitable, non profit organization which offers programs for individuals with disabilities both in the United States and Canada. The biking program, called iCan Bike, was originally brought to Western New York by a volunteer committee in 2012. The Buffalo chapter of iCan Bike now operates under High Five. 

The annual iCan Bike Camp uses adapted bicycles, a specialized instructional program, and trained staff to enable individuals with disabilities to learn to ride a two wheel bicycle. iCan Bike is operated by specially trained staff who utilize specific methodologies along with specialized patented equipment. Over the course of the week, adjustments are made to the bike's stability in an effort to challenge the riders' balance as they discover the skill and joy of riding.

Riders range in age from age 8 through adulthood. Riders attend one 75 minute session, each day, for five consecutive days in July. Riders are supported and encouraged by volunteer "spotters" to ensure safety and a positive experience.

Teen participant in a bright green iCan Bike shirt practices riding with support from volunteers on an indoor track, highlighting adaptive biking and youth sports programming for children with disabilities
Smiling iCan Bike participant and volunteer in bright green shirts stand beside bicycles in an outdoor lot. The Champion Project ICan Shine Learn to ride a bike camp
Smiling volunteer and child participant sitting on gym bleachers during a learn to bike program wearing matching “iCan Bike” purple t-shirts. The child proudly holds a bike helmet, highlighting TCP’s youth sports initiatives in Western NY

High Five is built on The foundation of

ROUTINE
programs follow a similar procedure to maximize predictability

ADAPTABLE
all sports skills can be modified

FUN
sports joy is a universal language! 

SUPPORT
athletes are supported by a mixture of paid staff, professionals in the field of Special Education, and volunteers in small groups or 1:1

sOCIAL SKILLS
we love to foster friendships! 

Yellow five-pointed star on a white background.
Yellow star on a white background

High Five Believes In

A black and white silhouette of a hand making a peace sign, with a small star above the hand.

  • High Five is for athletes with diagnosed disabilities, including but not limited to intellectual disabilities, Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, visual or physical impairments, and multiple disabilities.

    Every athlete brings unique strengths, and participation looks different for each individual. During each session, athletes rotate through multi-sport skill stations with accommodations and consistent support tailored to their needs. The High Five gym isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s shaped by the unique athletes who fill it!

    Our staff includes teachers, therapists, college athletes, professionals, and local high school students who provide the appropriate level of support for each individual athlete, overwhelming encouragement, enthusiasm, and energy.

  • Each High Five sport session follows the same procedure to maximize routine, structure, and predicatability. Each High Five program includes being matched with a High Five staff member, partner free play, circle time, skills stations, and a cheer. The majority of High Five programs take place at The R.O.C.K... A place your athlete will be excited to come back to, again and again.

  • High Five sports programs include same-aged, non-disabled peers. During High Five programs, athletes without disabilities play the sport alongside athletes with disabilities,  thus bringing the concept of inclusion to life. Inclusionary practices foster the development of empathy, compassion and understanding across peer groups and community members. 

  • This means that High Five athletes play a variety of sports throughout the year.

    Since 2023, High Five athletes have played basketball, tennis, floor hockey, field hockey, volleyball, rowing, biking, dance, yoga, soccer, and flag football!

    High Five sports programs engage athletes with disabilities throughout all 12 months of the year.

  • High Five collaborates with local organizations to offer one day "Try It Out" events throughout the year. Together we try out a less familiar sport, at a less familiar facility, alongside familiar High Five friends. High Five works to connect our High Five athletes with other community organizations already doing tremendous work.

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Get to Know High Five

Yellow star with rounded edges on a white background.

Check out our social story to gain an understanding of what our High Five sports programs look like!

Share this story with your athlete to help them anticipate what to expect at High Five! 

Download High Five Social Story

What People Are Saying about High Five

  • This was the highlight of his week and his confidence soared!

  • Loved the program 100%. So well run.. organized.. personable. Great setup and made it so I could watch and enjoy watching.

  • I was very impressed with the program, especially in terms of the partners. The people who partnered with the kids were phenomenal, giving attention and care to each child, making sure everyone was included.

  • You guys are nailing it with this program and I cannot thank you enough. He enjoys his time while he is there and your staff is incredible with him. Your stations are the perfect length and you encourage friendship!

  • He grew so much in such a short time. The last two weeks he followed directions and was engaged the whole session. This program was a huge blessing for all of us.

  • I love how the activities or drills are graded to each kids' ability. This OT approves.

  • Loved the program 100%. So well run..organized..personable. Great setup and made it so I could watch and enjoy watching.

  • Loves having some activity to participate in like his older sisters

  • He did so well with having the 1:1. Kept him on track and focused.

  • Yea ! I loved it !

  • Absolutely amazed by the staff. They were caring, compassionate and so patient. They went above and beyond to welcome and engage him. It truly melted my heart every week!!!! Thank you

The Champion Project of Western, New York, High Five volunteer and participant smile together in a gym while holding hula hoops, wearing matching yellow shirts

Join the Fun!

Help us bring the High Five magic to life, as a paid Buddy or a Peer Athlete volunteer. We’re looking for people who are ready to jump in, support High Five athletes, and make every session FUN!

Available High Five Positions

Paid Buddy (Staff Position)

Paid Buddies work 1:1 and in small groups to actively support athletes with disabilities through modeling, redirection, and engagement.

Ideal candidates:

• Have experience with children
• Are confident, proactive, and hands-on
• Bring energy, kindness, and flexibility

Peer Athlete Buddy (Volunteer Position)

Peer Athlete Buddies are same-age volunteers who play alongside our High Five athletes, offering encouragement and support during activities.

Great fit for those who:

• Bring a “jump right in” attitude
• Are kind, patient, and positive
• Want to earn service hours

*Spots are limited each season.

Interested?
please click the ‘High Five Me’ button to contact Adrienne Marks.

High Five me!

LOOK WHO BELIEVES IN HIGH FIVE!

Logo for the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation with initials R and W in a square, and the foundation's name below.
USTA logo
Logo "HOPE BUFFALO" and the tagline "The Pledge for Healthy Teens" underneath.
Live Like Luca logo
West Herr of Western NY logo
NFADA logo
M&T Bank logo
The Children's Guild logo
Project Play logo
Logo of Peter & Elizabeth Tower Foundation featuring a black bird on a gray background.
Logo for Community Services for Everyone with a circular emblem above the text.
'Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame' logo 'est. 1991'.

Thank You to the amazing Organizations that support High Five. We could never do this work without you!

Join our High Five email list

More Sports. More Kids. More Fun.

Smiling man with glasses wearing a blue sports shirt with a name tag, standing outdoors with children in sports attire on a grassy field during the evening.
Two women, one adult and one child, standing inside an indoor soccer facility, giving each other high-fives. The woman on the left has brown hair tied back and is wearing a yellow shirt and gray pants. The child on the right has dark hair, glasses, a
Two females in neon green t-shirts with a bicycle ride share logo, standing with bicycles in a parking lot, one adult and one child, both smiling.
Two young boys sitting on a wooden gym floor against a blue gym wall, hugging each other with smiling faces.
A young boy and girl fishing by the water on a sunny day, sitting on a dock. The boy is wearing a red cap, white shirt, and dark jacket. The girl has blonde hair, sunglasses, and a pink hoodie, and is holding a fishing rod.
Two young men in yellow shirts, one smiling with a name tag that reads 'Ryan' and the other with glasses and a name tag that reads 'Jack,' are inside a gymnasium with volleyball nets and sports equipment.
Two girls in bright green shirts participating in a tennis activity indoors, surrounded by orange cones, with a tennis racket and ball visible. One girl is holding a racket and pointing down, while the other girl is looking at her.
Children and a man in an indoor gymnasium standing on black mats, holding hockey sticks and a yellow ball, with other children in the background wearing colorful shirts.
Group of diverse children standing and interacting indoors near a safety net, some with hands raised, on artificial grass floor.
Young girl in yellow shirt holding red and orange toy object standing on indoor turf with cones and scattered balls in background.
Two young people in purple shirts, one female and one male, smiling and posing together. The male person is holding an orange and black bicycle helmet near his head. They are indoors, sitting on a bench with white shelves in the background.
Children and an adult on a green artificial turf floor in an indoor sports facility, with fitness equipment like agility ladders, cones, and colored discs arranged nearby.
A woman in a bright lime green shirt with glasses holding a yellow sports ball inside an indoor sports facility. The background shows a goal net and blue wall panels.
Group of young girls smiling and waving in a gymnasium with medals around their necks, some holding sports balls, and a sports court floor in the background.
Young man wearing a black helmet rides an adaptive bicycle with hand pedals indoors, with two young women standing nearby, one in a white sweatshirt and the other in a white shirt, in a gym or sports facility.
Three young women sitting close together and smiling, one wearing an Ohio State sweatshirt, the second wearing a bright yellow cycling jersey and helmet, and the third wearing a black sweatshirt with white text and light-colored sneakers.
Group of children and adults participating in a fun indoor game involving agility, in a gym with blue curtains and yellow and red circular markers on the floor.
Two women high-fiving on a gymnasium basketball court, with a volleyball player in the background.
Indoor sports facility with colorful flags hanging on the wall, including an Alabama banner, a Buffalo Bills banner, and a Buffalo bill fan banner. There are two children and one adult engaged in conversation or activities, with colored frisbees on t
Two boys in yellow shirts playing volleyball indoors on green turf with a black net, standing in front of a blue padded wall with sports banners, one saying 'FC Buffalo' and the other 'Soccer Shots.'
Children participating in a agility drill inside a gym, with a coach guiding them on coordination exercises involving small hurdles and cones.
Group of children and adults standing in a circle in an indoor sports facility, smiling and talking together.
Two young girls with curly hair participating in an indoor activity, each holding small red dumbbells, on a green artificial turf surrounded by cones and equipment, with other children and adults visible in the background.
A boy is wearing a gold medal around his neck while standing in line with other children and adults in an indoor gymnasium.
A young boy in a blue cap and orange life jacket sitting on a dock, holding a fishing rod, looking at the water.
Group of children and adults with medals raising their hands in an indoor sports facility with green turf, black ceiling, and blue curtains.
Children participating in a group activity in a gymnasium, with colorful spots on the floor, some adults supervising in the background.
People playing a game of high five indoors, with children and adults, some sitting in the background, colorful foam squares on the floor.
A girl with glasses and a blue shirt is participating in a physical activity, standing on a red circular marker on the floor. She is holding a brown ball with both hands, and her mouth is open. Other children are lined up in a gymnasium or indoor spo
Children and adults in a sports facility with a blue curtain, chairs, and a green artificial turf floor, some children wearing bright yellow and green shirts, and a man in a blue shirt giving thumbs up.
A young boy in a blue T-shirt reaching upwards with his right arm, with an adult woman looking on in the background, standing in an indoor gymnasium with a blue curtain and red tape on the floor.
Two children, a girl and a boy, are participating in a hula hoop activity indoors, with other people in the background.
A group of kids and teenagers in a gymnasium participating in a sports or physical activity event. One boy, wearing a blue hoodie and gray sweatpants, is standing on a green circular marker with an orange cone beside him. Other children are visible i
A young boy with curly hair and a gray hoodie sitting by the water holding a fishing rod, with a man standing behind him by a wooden dock, a river, trees, and blue sky with clouds in the background.
Two boys are playing a game of hopscotch in an indoor gymnasium, with bright orange cones and green and orange markers on the floor. An adult is sitting on the floor nearby, smiling and watching them.
Two kids in turquoise shirts, one girl with long braid and one boy holding a football, smiling in a gymnasium with orange cones and other children in the background.
A young boy in a blue sports shirt and headphones practicing baseball with a woman in a yellow shirt in an indoor sports facility. They are high-fiving near orange cones, with a baseball net and a garage door visible in the background.
A man kneeling and a young boy standing with a walker playing with a rainbow-colored plush ball in an indoor gym or therapy room with blue curtains and chairs in the background.
A young boy practicing floor hockey on an indoor court, with a woman in pink guiding him. There are yellow tennis balls in an orange circle on the floor, and a banner for Niagara Frontier Volleyball is hanging on the wall behind them.
Two people hugging in the foreground, surrounded by a group of women in pink shirts labeled 'Saints Field Hockey' in a gymnasium. The scene suggests a celebratory or emotional moment.
A young woman and a child holding hands on an indoor field, with orange cones and a black fence in the background.
Two boys and one adult in a gym playing hockey indoors. One boy labeled Blake wears a blue jersey and a white cap with green headphones. The other boy in a black shirt is partially visible. An adult male wearing a gray cap and a black shirt with a lo
People standing in a circle on an indoor turf field, raising their hands for a group activity or cheer.
Children participating in a team sports activity indoors, wearing orange shirts and using hula hoops, with a female instructor guiding them.
Group of people standing in a circle with raised hands in an indoor sports facility.
Indoor sports training with young women and a coach, using cones and a soccer ball, on artificial grass
Two children and an adult playing basketball inside a gymnasium. The children are attempting to score a basket while the adult, wearing a yellow shirt with 'High Five' printed on it and a name tag that says 'Jeff', watches and smiles. The children ar
Indoor soccer training area with artificial green turf, a white goal net, and two boys practicing with a soccer ball. An orange cone is on the ground, and there is a black netting and an American flag hanging on the wall.
People gathered on a wooden dock by the water, with a large concrete grain elevator and a building with a billboard in the background. The sky is partly cloudy and there are trees on the right side of the image.
Two young men high-fiving during a soccer training session inside an indoor sports facility. Equipment such as cones and soccer balls are visible on the artificial turf ground.
A girl and a woman wearing matching orange t-shirts with 'HIGH FIVE' written on them, playing with small balls in a gymnasium. Several children and adults are visible in the background, participating in activities.
Children in neon green shirts participating in a sports activity involving cones and a soccer ball inside an indoor facility with flags on the wall.
Several children and teenagers standing on a green indoor turf, some holding soccer balls, in a sports facility.
Children playing with a large colorful parachute indoors, smiling and dressed in casual clothes.
A group of people standing in a circle indoors, raising their hands in the air.
Three young females smiling and kneeling on an indoor turf field in front of a blue wall and a net, with two of them wearing turquoise T-shirts and the middle girl in a neon green hoodie labeled with names 'Evelyn' and 'Lizzy'.
Young boy wearing a neon green shirt, red pants, gray sneakers, and glasses practicing soccer skills with a soccer ball and orange cones indoors, with sports banners hanging on the wall in the background.
Two young people in yellow shirts practicing high five in a gymnasium against a yellow brick wall.
Children playing with a large, colorful parachute indoors on a green field.
Children and a woman playing soccer indoors with a small goal, soccer balls, and a black wall with artificial green grass flooring.