Disabled Sports USA

Disabled Sports USA was a US nonprofit organization founded in 1967 by disabled Vietnam veterans. Its mission was to provide national leadership and opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence, and fitness through participation in community sports, recreation, and educational programs.

Programs and Activities

Disabled Sports USA offered a wide range of adaptive sports activities, including winter skiing, water sports, summer and winter competitions, fitness programs, and special sports events. These activities were designed for individuals with permanent disabilities, such as amputations, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and visual impairments.

The organization comprised over 60,000 members across more than 80 chapters nationwide. Educational materials included a sports magazine entitled "Challenge," which highlighted achievements and opportunities in adaptive sports. Key events included the annual Hartford Ski Spectacular, a week-long winter sports festival that drew over 800 participants.

Disabled Sports USA also hosted the Warfighter Sports program, which provided adaptive sports opportunities at no cost to severely wounded military veterans.

Merger with Adaptive Sports USA

In 2019, Disabled Sports USA merged with Adaptive Sports USA to form Move United, a leading community-based adaptive sports organization. This merger combined more than 110 years of adaptive sports experience, aiming to expand accessibility and inclusion in sports across the United States. Move United now supports a network of over 200 chapters, offering opportunities in more than 50 different adaptive sports.

[1] https://rarediseases.org/organizations/disabled-sports-usa/ [2] https://www.brainline.org/resource/disabled-sports-usa [3] https://moveunitedsport.org/disabled-sports-usa-and-adaptive-sports-usa-join-forces-to-become-move-united-the-nations-leading-community-based-adaptive-sports-organization-a/ [4] https://moveunitedsport.org [5] https://www.amsvans.com/blog/introduction-sports-organizations-people-disabilities