From Wheelchair Basketball to Adaptive Surfing, LuskinOIC Builds Community Connections

August continued to build momentum for LuskinOIC’s disability community engagement, connecting civic leadership, community partnerships, and education for the next generation of care providers.

Joe Holt, LuskinOIC’s Disability Community Liaison, joined Mayor Karen Bass, LA28, and community leaders for the dedication of Wheelchair Basketball Square at Birmingham Community High School in Van Nuys. The site holds an important place in disability and sports history: its historic gym hosted the first official wheelchair basketball game in 1946. The dedication of Victory and Balboa Boulevards recognizes that legacy while looking ahead to Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

That commitment extends from civic engagement to hands-on education. Through our partnership with Thrive Adaptive, more than 35 medical students and resident physicians supported Life Rolls On’s adaptive surfing event in Huntington Beach. Working alongside disabled athletes, families, clinicians, and community organizations gives future providers opportunities to learn about disabilities directly from the community and outside traditional clinical settings.

With a busy fall ahead, LuskinOIC continues to expand its presence across Los Angeles—building disability community partnerships, supporting adaptive sports, and preparing the next generation of providers to deliver more informed, disability-responsive care.