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Community and Internet Resources


Recreation: Sports: Wheelchair Sports

National

American Wheelchair Bowling Association is the homepage for American Wheelchair Bowling Association. The page gives an overall history of the sport and information on publications related to wheelchair bowling. Also listed are various facts about wheelchair bowling, like the highest score ever achieved and specifications on the equipment used. The Association also has yearly bowling tournaments, and includes a schedule of these tournaments. If you would like more information, please visit their site or contact them directly at: American Wheelchair Bowling Association, 6264 North Andrews Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309.

BlazeSports Clubs of America, through partnerships with local recreation providers in 16 states, offers community-based, year round sports programs for youth and adults with physical disabilities. Programs offer introduction and instruction in a variety of adaptive sports, such as wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair rugby, swimming and track and field. For more information, or to find a program in your area, visit their website, call (770) 850-8199 or e-mail blazesports@blazesports.com.

New Sign Wheelin' Sportsman NWTF is dedicated to providing people with disabilities, including disabled hunters, disabled anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts, the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities. Its magazine, Wheelin' Sportsmen, and its Web site are dedicated to the education and entertainment of these enthusiasts and their able-bodied outdoor partners.

National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) is a non-profit organization which serves as the national governing body for men's, women's and youth wheelchair basketball in the United States. Their website features a team directory and a schedule of games.

Wheelchair Hockey League is an organization created to allow people who use wheelchairs to participate in the sport of hockey. The league is organized and plays games against other teams located around North America. If you would like more information or would like to join, please visit their site.

Wheelchair Sports and Recreation Association is a page designed for allowing personal independence through sports therapy. The page has listings of events, products and services the organization offers, and links to other organizations offering activities for the disabled. If you would like more information, please visit their site or contact them directly at Wheelchair Sports and Recreation Association, Inc., Ste., 113W 2001 Marina Drive, North Quincy, MA 02171, Telephone: 617-773-7251, Fax: 617-376-0343, or email: wheerus@aol.com

Wheelchair Sports, USA has been directed and developed by wheelchair athletes and wheelchair sports enthusiasts themselves, individuals with a first-hand understanding to the values of participation. The wheelchair athlete has, with rare exceptions, developed his or her own resources and sports opportunities, from rules and governing structure (i.e., Wheelchair Sports, USA) to funding travel, equipment and other expenses of competition. Wheelchair sports enthusiasts are involved at all levels of decision-making in the Wheelchair Sports, USA, and its constituent associations. Wheelchair Sports, USA, has remained essentially an all-volunteer organization, drawing on the energy and commitment of the people who also benefit from its programs. Contact Wheelchair Sports, USA at 1668 320th Way, Earlham, IA 50072, Office Phone/Fax : 515-833-2450 or Email: wsusa@aol.com.

State Listings

Colorado

New Sign Colorado Wheelchair Sports (CWS), a Project of the Colorado Non-Profit Development Center provides a year-round sports program to athletes and coaches, and access to the best equipment, training, and facilities.

Illinois

New Sign University of Illinois Wheelchair Sports Camps are rigorous camps designed for individuals with lower extremity physical disabilities Camp attendees will spend an average of eight ot nine hours a day focusing on development and refinement of fitness, techniques and strategies. Strength training, nutrition and mental training sessions will also be included in all camps. For more information check out this website or call the Office of Campus Life at (217)333-4606. Applications require a $50 non-refundable deposit.

Maryland

Maryland Ravens, Inc. is dedicated to promoting inclusion of individuals with disabilities. With this dedication in mind, they offer sporting events and community outreach programs. They offer both wheelchair softball and basketball leagues for individuals residing in the Baltimore area. In addition to providing a recreational outlet for physically challenged youths and adults, the Maryland Ravens also participates in a disability awareness program (DAP). The DAP visits schools throughout Maryland to promote awareness and acceptance of individuals with varying abilities. For more information, call (410) 679-9264.

Michigan

New Sign Grand Rapids Wheelchair Sports Association (GRWSA) is a nonprofit organization designed to help children and adults whose various physical challenges require them to use a wheelchair to play competitive and recreational sports. Over the years, the GRWSA has helped thousands of youths and adults participate in nearly every sport imaginable - from rock climbing to water-skiing and much, much more. The GRWSA also supports a traveling wheelchair tennis team, hosts a national tennis tournament, sponsors the nationally ranked Grand Rapids Pacers wheelchair basketball team and co-sponsors the Jr. Pacers youth basketball team.

Ohio

Ohio Wheelchair Sports Association is a statewide organization offering a wide range of sporting activities to persons who use wheelchairs. Sports include, basketball, rugby, softball, tennis, archery, hand cycling and many others. They also host an annual Wheelchair Games at which athletes can compete in their individuals sports. For more information, call (614) 885-4273.

International

United Kingdom

International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation which provides services to over seventy member nations. The Headquarters are located at Stoke Mandeville where sport for people with spinal injuries began in 1945 after the Second World War. From this point sport for people with a disability has grown to encompass virtually all disabilities and resulted in the birth of the second largest sporting event in the world, the Paralympic Games, which are held in parallel with the Olympic Games every four years.

Canada

Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association (CWSA) founded in 1967, is a national sport organization representing wheelchair athletes. Their mission is to promote excellence and develop opportunities for Canadians in wheelchair sport. CWSA also provides a national link for the development of wheelchair athletes and sports, at all levels and in all areas of the country. CWSA works to ensure that wheelchair athletes in the able-bodied sport system continue to receive fair and equitable access to high quality sport programs and services. For complete information on how to get involved in sport in your area, contact your provincial or territorial member organization. Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association is located at 2255 St-Laurent Blvd., Suite 108, Ottawa, Ontario, K1G 4K3, CANADA. Tel: (613) 523-000o, Fax: (613) 523-0149 or E-mail: info@cwsa.ca.

For more on the topic of Recreation:

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[Updated October 31, 2005]
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