Celebrating Abilities: TDSB’s Barrier Free Games
Every spring, Toronto’s Variety Village fills with the energy of hundreds of students from the Toronto District School Board’s special education elementary school programs. For four days, the facility, built for athletes of all abilities, becomes home to the Barrier Free Games, an event that has been running for over 18 years.
What began as a modest one-day gathering of just 70 students has grown into something remarkable. In 2025 alone, the Games welcomed about 1,450 students from 90 schools, with an average of 370 children attending each day. The purpose has always remained the same: to create space where students with special needs can participate in sports and physical activities, not on the margins, but at the very center.
A Day at the Games
Each morning begins with a warm-up, a unifying activity where all students move together, followed by O Canada and a land acknowledgement. From there, the day unfolds in carefully organized rotations. Students, already grouped before arriving, cycle through ten activity stations: five before lunch and five afterward.
The stations are as varied as they are engaging. This year’s lineup included activities such as:
- The Dash, where students race against peers
- A lively dance session led by an instructor
- Wheelchair basketball, a crowd favorite
- Golf Canada’s adapted activities
- Yoga, with a special theme
Each station hosts about 35 students at a time, with activities lasting roughly ten minutes before the groups rotate. Almost 20% of participants use wheelchairs, but every station is designed to ensure that all students, regardless of ability, are included and celebrated.
More Than Just Sports
While the activities are fun, the heart of the Games is deeper. As Jeff McBride, one of the organizers, explained:
“It is really about celebrating what these students can do. Many times we focus on what people cannot do. This is about celebrating their abilities and making them feel special.”
For many students, the Games provide experiences they rarely get during the school year. Adaptive sports and inclusive activities aren’t always available at their schools, making this event a highlight of the year, and sometimes the only chance to try something new. Teachers often hear from their students that it’s their favorite day of the year.
The impact is unmistakable. Jeff recalls the joy on the faces of students, especially those who are non-verbal. “We can feel how they feel by their smile and level of excitement. Satisfaction is written all over their faces.” For those who can express themselves, their feedback is direct: they love the dancing, the games, the chance to shine.
Growing From a Simple Idea
The Barrier Free Games started humbly, two schools coming together in a gym to organize a track-and-field style event for their students who couldn’t join regular sports days. The vision was simple: to give these children the same thrill of competition, teamwork, and recognition that their peers often take for granted.
Over nearly two decades, that vision has blossomed into a board-wide tradition. From 70 students to 1,450, from a gym to the fully accessible facilities of Variety Village, the Games have become an institution of celebration and inclusion.
Powered by Volunteers
Behind the scenes, none of this would be possible without the dedication of volunteers. Each year, they give their time and energy to support students, staff, and organizers. Their efforts ensure that every child feels included and truly celebrated. Jeff is quick to recognize this: “We couldn’t do it without the volunteers.”
A Model for the Country
This year’s Barrier Free Games coincided with National AccessAbility Week, a fitting reminder that inclusion in sport and recreation should not be a privilege, but a right. The event is a model that could be replicated across Canada. By providing accessible facilities, thoughtful programming, and community support, schools everywhere could create spaces where children of all abilities discover the joy of movement and the pride of accomplishment.
For now, the smiles at Variety Village tell the story best. Every race, every dance, every game is a celebration of abilities.
