ROCKVILLE, Md., June 5, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Disabled Sports USA (DSUSA), one of the nation's largest multi-sport, multi-disability organizations, announced its 2014 Summer calendar of learn-to and competition summer sports events and programs available nationwide for individuals with disabilities. More than 100 events in over 30 sports in 26 states will be offered by Disabled Sports USA, in partnership with over 50 local community DSUSA chapters and other partnering organizations. Since 2011, DSUSA has provided over $2.1 million in grants to its community chapters.
The Summer Sports Program series is the only one of its kind in the nation helping to ensure participants with physical disabilities receive state-of-the-art adaptive equipment, instruction and competition in a variety of summer sports including archery, canoeing, cycling, fishing, golf, hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, sailing, scuba diving, track and field, water skiing, and more. The series has expanded to include more adaptive instructor training opportunities for improved program services to local communities as part of Disabled Sports USA's Adapt2Achieve Program.
Corporations and foundations supporting DSUSA's sports rehabilitation programs, including the programs for wounded service members include: Platinum — AIG, Ariel Corporation, Tee it up for the Troops, U.S. Paralympics, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Wash Depot; Gold — AM General, Bob Woodruff Foundation, The Chart Group, Dumbarton Strategies, Everett & Marian Gordon Foundation, Fluor, The Heisman Trophy Trust, Lockheed Martin, May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust, Oshkosh Defense, PING, Veritas, and others.
"Our Summer Sports Program will include outdoor sports that allow individuals with disabilities to lead full and active lives," said Kirk Bauer, JD, executive director of Disabled Sports USA and a disabled Vietnam veteran. "We are committed to continue integrating wounded warriors into community sports events as well as providing more sports opportunities for youth with disabilities , especially low-income youth."
In addition, DSUSA's Boston Strong Adaptive Sports grant program is offering the Boston Marathon survivors with permanent physical disabilities opportunities receive sports training grants and participate in any of DSUSA programs, free of cost to the survivors and caregivers.
Military sports programs include the learn-to and competitive events for wounded warriors offered as part of DSUSA's Warfighter Sports program. Now in its 11 th year of service, all sports programs offered by Warfighter Sports are free of cost for the severely injured service members and their families. Activities will be held for wounded warriors rehabilitating at the major military hospitals, VA hospitals and other military medical centers across the nation. Those discharged from the military will be able to maintain an active lifestyle through participation at local DSUSA chapter programs throughout the USA.
The Summer Sports program series includes national and regional competitive events and training opportunities, including: Great Lakes Regional Games in Lake Forest, Ill.; University of Central Oklahoma Endeavor Games in Edmond, Okla.; Valor Games in Durham, N.C., Desert Challenge Games in Mesa, Ariz.; and DSUSA Adapt2Achieve adaptive sports development training conferences in Birmingham, Ala., and Deep Creek Lake, Md.
DSUSA chapters conducting Summer Sports Programs and recreation programs include:
Arizona : Arizona Disabled Sports
California: Adaptive Sports and Recreation Association, Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program; Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra, Disabled Sports USA Far West, U.S. Adaptive Recreation Center
Colorado : Adaptive Adventures, Adaptive Sports Center Crested Butte, Adaptive Sports Association Durango, Aspen Camp of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, Challenge Aspen, Colorado Discover Ability, National Sports Center for the Disabled, Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports, Telluride Adaptive Sports Program
Connecticut : Leaps of Faith Disabled Water Skiers
Florida: Florida Disabled Outdoors Association
Idaho : AWeSOMe (Adaptive Wilderness Sports of McCall), Higher Ground Sun Valley
Illinois : Adaptive Adventures, Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club, Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association
Indiana: Turnstone
Kansas: Wheelchair Sports Inc.
Maine: Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation
Massachusetts: CAPEable Adventures
Maryland : Team River Runner
New Hampshire : Granite State Adaptive, New England Handicapped Sports Association, New England Disabled Sports, Northeast Passage
New York : Adaptive Sports Foundation, STRIDE Adaptive Sports
North Carolina : Bridge II Sports, SUDS Diving
Ohio: The Adaptive Adventure Sports Coalition
Oklahoma : UCO Sports & Recreation
Oregon: Oregon Adaptive Sports, Oregon Disability Sports
Pennsylvania : Two Top Mountain Adaptive Sports Foundation
Tennessee : DSUSA Sports, Arts, and Recreation of Chattanooga
Texas: Operation Comfort
Utah : Common Ground Outdoor Adventures, National Ability Center
Virginia : Adventure Amputee Camp
Vermont: Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, Northeast Disabled Athletic Association
Washington: Outdoors For All Foundation
West Virginia: Challenged Athletes of West Virginia
To view the full calendar of SummerFest events visit: http://www.disabledsportsusa.org/programs/summer/
About Disabled Sports USA
Founded in 1967, Disabled Sports USA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence and fitness through participation in sports. What began as a program to serve Vietnam veterans has since grown into one of the nation's largest multi-sport, multi-disability organizations, annually serving more than 60,000 wounded warriors, youth and adults with disabilities. A member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, Disabled Sports USA offers programs in more than 40 summer and winter sports through its nationwide network of more than 100 community-based chapters. For more information, visit www.disabledsportsusa.org .
Huayra Gomez-Garcia 240-268-0864
