The
Historical Perspective of the
National Disability Sports Alliance
The
impact of sports on today's society was never more evident than during
the XXVIII Olympiad in Athens, Greece. The 2004 Summer Olympic Games
hosted the world's finest athletes and brought together people and nations
through the inspiration and talent of the competitors. The remarkable
human achievement that we witness every four years during the Games are
testimony to their importance. The world embraces the talented and successful
athlete.
The 2004 Olympic Games, spectacular in its diversity, also offered
numerous spectators a glimpse of tomorrow. Athletes with physical disabilities
were provided the opportunity to compete at the same event sites as their
non-disabled counterparts and were housed in the same Olympic Village.
The 2004 PARALYMPIC GAMES took place in Athens, Greece, exactly three
weeks after the Summer Olympic Games.
Participation in the Olympic Games happens only after a sport has developed
a strong international acceptance. Sports for the physically challenged
athlete have only recently started to receive this universal acknowledgment.
The aforementioned PARALYMPIC GAMES brought together over 3,750 athletes
from more than 120 countries. The international contenders in this event
competed in 24 different sports that included track and field, swimming,
powerlifting, wrestling, archery, cycling, soccer, table tennis, and wheelchair
basketball. In each event athletes are classified by the nature and degree
of their physical disability. These programs have now evolved from a fun
and games recreational philosophy into highly structured and meaningful
competitions at the international level.
Recognizing the growth of these new opportunities for athletes with cerebral
palsy, traumatic brain injuries, and stroke survivors - and related disabilities,
the National Association of Sports For Cerebral Palsy was formed in 1978
to meet the challenges of providing adequate national structure and competitive
experiences for such individuals. From 1980 until 1986, the program was
a part of the United Cerebral Palsy Association. In 1987, the National
Association of Sports for Cerebral Palsy became the United States Cerebral
Palsy Athletic Association (USCPAA), an independent 501 (c) (3) non profit
organization with the sole purpose of providing sports training and competition
opportunities for its members. In 2001, the association changed its name
to the National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA). The new name
better reflects the ever-growing number of sports and disability groups
served by the association.
Athletes from the National Disability Sports Alliance have participated
at the 1987 Can/Am/Pacific Games for the Disabled; the 1988 Paralympic
Games in Seoul, South Korea; the 1990 World Championships for the Disabled
in Assen, The Netherlands; the 1992 Paralympic Games in Barcelona, Spain;
the Tenth Paralympic Games in Atlanta in August of 1996: and the Eleventh
Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia. In addition, teams have been a
part of international events in single sport competitions on numerous
occasions.
The
National Disability Sports Alliance is a Disabled Sports Organization
(DSO) member of the United States Olympic Committee and receives some
of its funding from this group.
Additionally,
fund raising through grants, contributions, and special events provide
the support needed to maintain the organization.
Annual National Championships are offered in boccia, bowling, cross country,
cycling, equestrian, powerlifting, soccer, swimming, track and field,
and wheelchair team handball. Ambulatory basketball and sailing are in
the planning stages for introduction to the membership.
In addition, the organization sanctions some 100 local and regional events
annually - throughout the United States. Athletes reside in over 40 states
and the membership exceeds 4,000.
In 1995, the association relocated from Dallas, Texas to the Independence
Square Facility in Newport, Rhode Island. This 28 acre facility had accessible
housing for 150 people, a gymnasium, and access to nearby sailing, soccer,
and track and field facilities. Pre Paralympic Training Camps were held
at the new facility as well as sports camps and clinics throughout the
year. Unfortunately, in late 1998, the facility was purchased and the
new owners demolished the building. Being forced to move, NDSA relocated
to the campus of the University of Rhode Island. This move will increase
the opportunity for facility use, more on campus volunteers and internships.
These competitive events offered through NDSA are not to be confused with
the Special Olympics, which are specifically organized for the mentally
challenged. Careful criteria have been organized to maximize the true
sports nature of the competitions involving individuals with the aforementioned
disabling conditions.
The overriding purpose of the National Disability Sports Alliance is to
provide an outlet in the world of sports competitions regardless of one's
functioning level or disability. All athletes are classified on a medically
approved system based on functional abilities which assures equitable
competition. There are four classes for wheelchair users and four classes
for ambulatory individuals. Through training and competition, the athletes
promote the motto of the association: "Sports by ability . . . not
disability".
The chief goal of the organization is to help secure financial sponsorship.
More and more competition opportunities are planned on the national and
international level. The association wants to increase the number of member
athletes, especially young athletes, since there is a strong belief in
the importance of youngsters with disabilities capitalizing on their abilities
before they come to believe that there is nothing in which they can be
successful.
Disabled men and women must have the same opportunity to reach the same
stars as the able bodied competitor. Sports are a gift of life that should
be enjoyed by everyone and the National Disability Sports Alliance serves
to guarantee that this opportunity is there for everyone.
Like all philanthropy, the association depends on support and funding
from private citizens, corporations, and foundations.
Funds are needed for equipment, uniforms, team travel, and minimal administrative
costs. Donations are tax deductible gifts that will help provide remarkable
individuals an opportunity to compete, enjoy a fuller life, and develop
a greater sense of self worth. The opportunities they have dreamed of,
or maybe never dreamed of, are happening and your support can help complete
the vision.