U.S. Association of Blind Athletes
Website
Organization Location
1 Olympic Plaza Colorado Springs, CO 80909
Description
Mission
The United States Association of Blind Athletes empowers Americans who are blind and visually impaired to experience life-changing opportunities in sports, recreation and physical activities, thereby educating and inspiring the nation.
Our Vision
Every American who is blind or visually impaired will lead a healthy lifestyle by actively participating in sports, recreation and physical activity.
Our Beliefs
Respect: We respect and honor the inherent value and the contributions of people who are blind and visually impaired.
Integrity: We conduct our business transparently, honestly, and ethically.
Empowerment: We are deeply dedicated to the potential of each person who is blind or visually impaired involved with USABA to realize his or her aspirations.
Diversity: We are committed to welcoming individuals from various cultural backgrounds and life experiences, regardless of disability, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion and age.
Inclusion: We foster an environment of acceptance through education and seek ways to broaden the integration of athletes who are blind and visually impaired into community-based sports programs and competitions.
Diversity and Inclusion
The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) exists in a diverse and dynamic environment. On a daily basis, USABA’s board of directors and staff are committed to respecting and honoring the inherent value and the unique contributions of all Americans who are blind and visually impaired by conducting business in a transparent, honest and ethical basis that results in an environment of acceptance. USABA actively seeks ways to broaden acceptance of people who are blind and visually impaired, as well as the acceptance of all people who support our mission and objectives.
Our Story
USABA was founded by Dr. Charles Buell in 1976 with the purpose of improving the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired. That year, 27 young men and women were selected to represent the United States in the first Olympiad for the Disabled in Toronto, Canada. As a result of this Olympic involvement, a group of national leaders, educators and coaches of the visually impaired met to discuss the need for an organization to structure, promote and sponsor competitions for people who are blind and visually impaired throughout the United States.
Today, USABA has evolved into a national organization that provides sports opportunities to thousands of children, youth, adults and veterans who are blind and visually impaired. USABA programs serve athletes of all ages and abilities from local grassroots programs to the elite Paralympic level.
USABA is a Colorado-based 501(c) (3) organization that provides life-enriching sports opportunities for every individual with a visual impairment. A member of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and US Soccer, in January of 2022 USABA received certification from the USOPC to become the official National Governing Body for two Paralympic team sports…goalball and blind soccer. As the National Governing Body, USABA is responsible for meeting the obligations detailed in both the USOPC Bylaws and the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, including establishing procedures to insure continuity of international, Parapan American and Paralympic Games programs for the sports.
In addition to serving as the National Governing Body for the Paralympic sports of goalball and blind soccer, USABA provides athletic opportunities in numerous other sports including, but not limited to track and field, Nordic and alpine skiing, biathlon, judo, wrestling, swimming, tandem cycling and powerlifting.
Developing a wealth of sports opportunities allow people who are blind and visually impaired to develop independence through competition, without unnecessary restrictions. Like sighted people, the blind can share in the thrill of victory and the reality of defeat.
In addition to providing people who are blind and visually impaired with athletic opportunities, the second part of USABA’s mission is to change society’s negative stereotypes concerning the abilities of blind people as well as other disabled individuals. Combating stereotypes is achieved by both educating the public through various media avenues as well as by training athletes to enter schools and community organizations to directly address disability issues.
Contact
Contact email - [email protected]
Phone - +1 719-866-3224
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/usaba1/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesABA
Upcoming events
- through (PST)
- Blind Soccer: Mens National Team Blind Soccer Camp #3
- through (MST)
- Goalball: USA Goalball Mens and Womens Camp
- – (MST)
- USABA Breakfast with Champions
Past events
- through (EDT)
- Goalball: USA Goalball Womens Camp #4
- through (CEST)
- Goalball: Paris 2024 Paralympic Games