OCA, USTA Florida and Seminole County Launch Adaptive Tennis for Neurodivergent Residents

OCA, USTA Florida and Seminole County announced a new adaptive tennis program aimed at neurodivergent residents, the organizations said in a USTA Florida press release published March 9, 2026. The release describes OCA as "a local nonprofit serving neurodivergent individuals" and states The program was funded by a grant from the USTA Florida Foundation, which also helped cover the purchase of equipment that participants can use outside of the program.

The Seminole County announcement builds on multi-year, statewide work by USTA Florida to expand adaptive offerings. In Jacksonville, USTA Florida helped launch that city’s first youth wheelchair tennis program by training coaches and supplying equipment; the program’s "first class back in April" drew seven participants who began building tennis skillsets. During National Tennis month, USTA Florida’s community department staged its first Tennis For All day with Brooks Rehab, and "There over 30 athletes, all of varied physical and cognitive disabilities, were introduced to the game of tennis." USTA Florida says it plans to host more Tennis For All events at Brooks Rehab facility locations around the state.

The USTA Florida Foundation has also funded local government efforts elsewhere in Florida. A foundation grant supported the Miami‑Dade County Adaptive Tennis program run through Miami‑Dade County Parks Therapeutic Recreation & Inclusion Division and the S.T.A.R.S initiative, in collaboration with Love Serving Autism. That Miami‑Dade program enrolled "Over 100 people," offered classes at six sites over six weeks, and produced at least one anecdote of a 13‑year‑old child with autism who began attending and "fell in love with the game."

Will Speed, USTA Florida’s Adaptive Play Coordinator, framed the Seminole County effort within that statewide push: "Supporting Adaptive tennis is important because tennis is the most inclusive sport in the world," he said. "The game can be played by anybody regardless of abilities with minimal changes to the game. Everyone deserves the opportunity to live life through sport and recreation."

USTA Florida materials from April 10, 2025 defined the approach: "Adaptive Tennis is is an inclusive form of the sport designed to accommodate players with physical, developmental, or cognitive disabilities. Using modified equipment, rules, and support, adaptive tennis ensures that individuals of all abilities can enjoy, learn, and compete in the game while promoting physical activity, social connection, and fun."

Seminole County residents can place this launch in local context: USTA Florida has run adaptive events at Lake Cane Tennis Center, hosted Special Olympics State Games at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona since partnering with Special Olympics in 2018, and operates the Tennis for Fun program in more than 20 locations that include Seminole among other Florida communities. The March 9, 2026 release does not include full grantor details in the excerpt; USTA Florida, Seminole County and OCA will need to clarify which county offices will host sessions, site addresses, schedules, age ranges and any registration or cost information before classes begin. For now, the announcement signals a coordinated step toward expanding accessible recreation and social opportunities for neurodivergent residents across Seminole County.