An Introduction to 5 Sports Organizations for People With Disabilities
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Dribbling a basketball on the court.[/caption] A physical disability doesn't have to keep you out of the game. Indeed, several organizations provide people with disabilities an opportunity to show their abilities through sports.
Disabled Sports USA
This organization helps people with permanent disabilities increase their independence and confidence through adaptive sports. The organization serves youth and adults via its network of 140 chapters spread over 42 states. Disabled Sports USA offers more than 50 sports. Thus, here is a sample of the sports available.
Archery
Cycling
Golf
Hiking
Kayaking
Power soccer
Rock climbing
Sailing
Scuba
Sled hockey
Snowboarding
Surfing
Water skiing
Wheelchair basketball
Each year, the organization hosts the Hartford Ski Spectacular, a winter sports festival for people with disabilities. Indeed, the week-long event attracts over 800 participants to Breckenridge, Colorado. Disabled Sports USA was founded in 1967 to assist veterans wounded in the Vietnam War. Today, the organization's Warfighter Sports program gives severely wounded warriors opportunities to participate in adaptive sports at no cost to these military veterans.
National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD)
The Colorado-based NSCD was launched nearly 50 years ago to teach skiing to children with amputations. However, in the intervening years, the organization has expanded to serve youth and adults with any disability. Now, NSCD's programming includes adaptive lessons for airgun training, archery, alpine skiing, snowboarding, ski biking, canoeing, kayaking, cross country skiing, rock climbing, river rafting, snowshoeing, and horseback riding. In addition, the organization offers a variety of camping experiences. Some camps are designed for a specific population. For example, there's a weekend camp for women with physical disabilities. Other camps, like the Basketball Clinic, help the participants sharpen a skill. Although disabled military veterans may participate in any program, NSCD has designed these programs for them.
Ski and Snowboard Program for Military Veterans
Veterans Camp
Family Camp
Paralympic Experience
Rocky Mountain Adventure
International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS)
The organization bills itself as the "Founder of the Original Paralympic Games". IWAS provides competitive opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities. Further, this is accomplished through two signature events: IWAS World Games and IWAS Youth World Games. Both are held every other year. The host country decides which Paralympic sports will be part of the games. Further, host countries may choose from archery, athletics, powerlifting, shooting, swimming, table tennis, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair rugby, table tennis, and volleyball. IWAS Youth World Games, formerly known as the IWAS World Junior Games, introduce young people to the thrill of international competition. Each competition is divided by age group. The classes are under 23, under 20, and under 17. IWAS is also the governing body for powerchair hockey and wheelchair fencing.
National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA)
"Roll With Us". That's the motto of the NWBA. Further, the invitation is open to anyone with a qualified physical disability. Also, many men, women, and youth have accepted their invitation. The NWBA has a network of over 200 wheelchair basketball teams in 22 conferences. In the Junior Prep Division, players aged 13 and under can develop their skills by shooting hoops into a basket that 8.5 feet high. However, youth with more advanced skills may play in the Junior 10' (Varsity) Division. The Adult Divisions are:
Division I
II
III
Women's
Intercollegiate Women's
Intercollegiate Men's
The NWBA hosts an annual national tournament. Indeed, the best teams for each division play for their division's national title.
American Wheelchair Bowling Association (AWBA)
AWBA hosts 8 to 12 tournaments for wheelchair bowlers each year. In fact, the competitions are held around the country. There's a national tournament that has a different host city each June. Then, bowlers compete in one of four divisions according to their skill level. Lastly, the divisions range from Novice Division to the elite Scratch Division.