MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Students at West Milwaukee Middle School got a firsthand look Friday, May 15 at new adaptive sports equipment, including specially designed sports wheelchairs, thanks to a $50,000 grant from The Hartford insurance company and Move United.

The Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association received the funding to expand its collection of wheelchairs and other gear tailored to young athletes with disabilities. The equipment allows kids to compete in sports they might not otherwise be able to play.

Emily Oberst of the Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association explained what makes the equipment different.

"It does not have any brakes, which can make it very dangerous, but also very fun," Oberst said. "And then these wheels actually, they are thinner essentially and more tilted than like your ordinary wheelchair to help you go faster on the basketball court."

Oberst also mentioned why custom equipment matters so much for adaptive athletes.

"Adaptive sports equipment is super expensive and it's unique because their equipment has to be tailored to them specifically," Oberst said. "It's not like we can have one sports chair that everyone can play in."

Over the years, The Hartford has donated more than 8,500 pieces of adaptive sports equipment nationally.