Sports Organizations for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Want to learn more about your favorite sport? Follow the links below. They'll lead you to resources that can help you learn all about sports and recreational opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired.
These resources have been organized into two groups. The first group of links will take you to organizations, associations and web sites that have general sports and recreation information. The second group of links are for specific sports not covered at the other sites.General Sports Links

1. Disability Sports Web Page
   The site was created by the instructor and students in a graduate course in the Department of Kinesiology at Michigan State University. It has information on laws relating to sports and people with disabilities, resources, and Internet links to various sports-related organizations.
   
   Disability Sports Web Page
   Department of Kinesiology
   132 IM Sports Circle, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
   Email: dummer@pilot.msu.edu
   Internet: http://edweb6.educ.msu.edu/kin866
2. International Paralympic Committee
   The IPC's web site has a wealth of information about the Paralympic Games and its sporting events. Events in which athletes who are blind or visually impaired typically participate are: cycling, equestrian, goalball, judo, swimming, alpine skiing and cross-country skiing. Accompanying the information about each sport there is often a list of associated links.
   
   International Paralympic Committee
   Adenauerallee 212-214, 53113 Bonn, Germany
   Phone: +49 (228) 2097-200
   Fax: +49 (228) 2097-209
   Email: info@paralympic.org
   Internet: www.paralympic.org/
3. National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
   The NCPAD has an extensive searchable database of articles on sports-related Programs and Facilities, Equipment Vendors, Conferences and Symposiums, and Books and Published Resources for people who are disabled.
   
   National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
   1640 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60608-6904
   Phone: (800) 900-8086 (voice and tty)
   Fax: (312) 355-4058
   Email: ncpad@uic.edu
   Internet: www.ncpad.org/
4. Palaestra Magazine
   Palaestra Magazine is a quarterly publication with a focus on adapted physical activities. It is especially geared toward parents with children who are disabled.
   
   PALAESTRA: Forum of Sport, Physical Education & Recreation For Those With Disabilities
   Challenge Publications, Ltd.
   PO Box 508, Macomb, IL 61455
   Phone/Fax: (309) 833-1902
   Email: challpub@macomb.com
   Internet: www.palaestra.com/
5. Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision, Mississippi State University
   This web site, operated by the Mississippi State University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision, has an extensive list of sport- and recreation-related associations and organizations for people who are blind or visually impaired.
   
   Mississippi State University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision
   P.O. Box 6189
   Mississippi State, MS 39762
   Phone: (800) 675-7782
   TDD: (662) 325-8693
   Fax: (662) 325-8989
   E-Mail: B. J. LeJeune: bjmax@ra.msstate.edu
   Internet: www.blind.msstate.edu/irr/sport.html
6. U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA)
   The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) has helped thousands of blind and disabled youth discover their own potential in school, sports, and the achievement of their own personal dreams. The organization has more than 3,000 blind and visually impaired athlete-members representing nine different sports: alpine and nordic skiing, goalball, judo, powerlifting, swimming, tandem cycling, track and field and wrestling. Many of these athletes go on to compete in the Paralympics held in conjunction with the Olympic Games. Visit the USABA web site for general information about each of these sports and for a calendar of upcoming competitions.
   
   U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA)
   33 N. Institute St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903
   Phone: (719) 630-0422
   Fax: (719) 630-0616
   Email: media@usaba.org
   Internet: www.usaba.org/index.html Achievable Concepts: Adapted Recreation & Sporting Equipment
   This Australian company makes and distributes adapted sporting equipment, including beeper balls and other sporting goods that can be used by people who are blind or vision impaired. They also offer "Recreation & Sport for People Who are Blind or Vision Impaired", a guidebook written by Peter Rickards with Vision Australia, contains recreation options, tips, equipment, rules, and helpful hints for playing a range of sports. Activities include: chess, gardening, music, crafts, and social activities. A good source for ideas. To order, visit the Achievable Concepts web site using the following contact info:
   
   Achievable Concepts
   Adapted Recreation & Sporting Equipment for People with Disabilities & the Aged
   Email: sales@achievableconcetps.com.au
   Web: www.achievableconcepts.com.au

Specific Resources

Beep Baseball

• National Beep Baseball Association
  2231 West 1st Ave.
  Topeka, KS 66606-1304
  Phone: (785) 234-2156
  Email: jb4208@aol.com
  Internet: www.nbba.org/Bowling
• Rails for the Blind may be purchased from:
  
  American Blind Bowling Association
  315 N. Main St., Houston, PA 15342
  Phone/Fax: (724) 745-5986 Golf
• American Blind Golfers Association
  300 Carondelet St.
  New Orleans, LA 70112
  Phone: (504) 891-4737
• The United States Golf Association
  PO Box 708
  Far Hills, NJ 07931
  Phone: (908) 234-2300
  Fax: (908) 234-9687
  Email: usga@usga.org
  Internet: www.usga.org/ Horseback Riding
• North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA)
  
  The NARHA is a non-profit organization that promotes the rehabilitation of individuals with physical, emotional and learning disabilities through equine-facilitated activities. There are more than 600 NAHRA-member therapeutic riding centers in North America.
  
  North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA)
  P.O. Box 33150
  Denver, CO 80233
  Phone: (800) 369-RIDE (7433)
  Fax: (303) 252-4610
  Email: narha@narha.org
  Internet: www.narha.org/
  Running
• The Achilles Track Club (ATC)
  The Achilles Track Club (ATC) was founded to encourage people with disabilities to participate in long-distance running with the general public. The ATC is an international, nonprofit organization that provides support, training, and technical expertise to runners at all levels.
  
  Achilles Track Club
  42 West 38th Street
  NYC 10018
  Phone: (212) 354-0300
  Fax: (212) 354-3978
  E-mail: AchillesClub@aol.com
  Internet: www.achillestrackclub.org/index.html Sailing
• John's Nautical Links List
  This exhaustive list of maritime links includes a rich section of links for those interested in disabled racing and sailing. Among the links listed are: Blind Sailing International, Disabled Sailing on the Web, and Sailing Alternatives.
  
  John's Nautical Links List
  Email: jkohnen@boat-links.com
  Internet: www.boat-links.com/linklists/boatlink-13.html
• >International Foundation For Disabled Sailing
  The International Foundation For Disabled Sailing is responsible for disabled sailing around the world, and working with its members to further promote and support the sport. This includes sailing for people with physical disabilities, blindness, deafness and learning difficulties and covers all aspects of sailing including recreation, training and racing.
  
  Click here to visit the International Foundation For Disabled Sailing home page: http://www.sailing.org/disabled
• I sea No Ships
  This website is not only just for blind people who like sailing, it will give other information on subjects that affect the blind community. "I hope to list blind groups and organisations that will be useful to you. I am registered blind myself since 1992 with retinitis pigmentosa. The first people who I met with any sight loss was at a blind club called Foresight in 1986."
  
  Click this link to visit the I See No Ships website at http://www.iseanoships.btik.com/home.ikml Scuba Diving
• Handicapped Scuba Association International (HSA)
  HSA International offers recreational diving opportunities for people with disabilities. It also provides certification for diving instructors who wish to work with disabled divers.
  
  HSA International
  1104 El Prado
  San Clemente, CA 92672-4637
  Phone: (949) 498-4540
  Fax: (949) 498-6128
  Email: hsa@hsascuba.com
  Internet: www.hsascuba.com Skating
• Skating Association for the Blind and Handicapped, Inc (SABAH)
  SABAH is a Buffalo, New York-based not-for-profit educational corporation that provides instruction for people who are blind or visually impaired in how to ice skate.
  
  The Skating Association for the Blind and Handicapped
  1200 East and West Road
  West Seneca, New York 14224
  Phone: (716) 675.7222
  Email: sabah@sabahinc.org
  Internet: www.sabahinc.org/
  Skiing
• American Blind Skiing Foundation (ABSF)
  The ABSF provides an educational skiing program for people who are blind or visually impaired.
  
  The American Blind Skiing Foundation
  227 E. North Ave.
  Elmhurst, Illinois 60126
  Email: ABSF@bigfoot.com
  Internet:www.absf.org/skischd. htm
• American Blind Skiers, Inc.
  2325 Wilshire Blvd.
  Santa Monica, CA 90403
  Phone: (213) 828-5514
• Bold Outdoor Leisure Development/Challenge Aspen
  In addition to snow skiing, B.O.L.D./Challenge Aspen offers a variety of sports opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired. During the winter they offer alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice-skating. Summer activities include hiking, biking, rafting and a rock climbing camp.
  
  B.O.L.D./Challenge Aspen
  P.O. Box M
  Aspen, CO 81612
  Phone: (970) 923.0578
  Fax: (970) 923.7338
  Email: possibilities@challengeaspen.com
  Internet: www.challengeaspen.com/Recreation/bold.asp
• The National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD)
  NSCD provides year-round competition training to ski racers with disabilities. Summer recreation opportunities include biking, hiking, in-line skating, sailing, therapeutic horseback riding, white water rafting, baseball, fishing, rock climbing for the blind, and camping.Swimming
• USA Swimming
  USA Swimming, the official body governing America's Olympic swim teams, offers detailed info for swimmers who are blind or visually impaired. This includes information for coaches, event organizers, and athletes. Visitors can also order brochures on topics such as hosting an adaptive event.
  
  USA Swimming
  One Olympic Plaza
  Colorado Springs, CO 80909
  Phone: (719) 578-4578
  Internet: <a href="http://www.usa-swimming.org/">www.usa-swimming.org/</a >
  Water SkiingUSA Water Ski
  USA Water Ski hosts water ski tournaments for athletes with disabilities. Blind athletes also do not use special equipment and are assisted by another water skier who serves as a guide. Among the competitions within each tournament are slalom, tricks and jumping events.
  
  USA Water Ski
  1251 Holy Cow Road
  Polk City, Florida 33868
  Phone: (863) 324-4341
  Fax: (863) 325-8259
  Email: jlamb@usawaterski.org?subject=General Questions
  Internet: usawaterski.org