Teens and young adults with hemiplegia enjoying a game
of “trashket ball” at the CHASA Family Retreat.
2015 Sporting Competitions for Athletes with Disabilities
National Sports Organizations and Events
National Junior Disability Championships(NJDC) – Information located at Wheelchair & Ambulatory Sports
Several CHASA youth have competed in the National Junior Disability Championships. This program is for youth ages 7-22 and can lead to paralympic participation as adults. Approximately 300 young people from around the US with physical disabilities compete in swimming, archery, track and field, weightlifting, and table tennis. The youth must qualify at regional events during the year to be eligible for competition at the NJDC. In addition to competitions, the youth can participate in clinics on sled hockey, archery, kayaking, waterskiing, tennis, and powerlifting.
Official Website of the Paralympic Movement
Regional Sporting Events
Mid-America Games for the Disabled – a multi-sport competition. The Games are traditionally held the first weekend in May in Kansas. Events such as track and field, Boccia, Slalom and bowling are offered. There is also an opening ceremony, complimentary lunch and dinner, and an awards ceremony. All events follow the rules published by the National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA) and Wheel Chair and Ambulatory Sports USA (WASUSA). Athletes are classified according to their systems. These Games, while sanctioned by NDSA and WASUSA, welcome anyone with a physical disability over the age of seven and able to perform at a competitive level.
The Challenge Games is an athletic competition in track/field and boccia for persons with physical disabilities. The Games are held annually in Kansas for junior and adult athlete, and are sanctioned by the United States Cerebral Palsy Athletic Association and Wheelchair Sports USA.
Chisholm Challenge for Special Riders In 2004, the Fort Worth Stock Show has established a riding event for children and adults with disabilities. Several north Texas area therapeutic riding centers enter riders in this event which takes place just prior to the opening of the Stock Show in January.
The Dixie Games is a Paralympic sanctioned, regional multi-sports event for youth and adults with physical disabilities. This event is traditionally held in May in the South East region. For information about these games, please visit Blaze Sports – Dixie Games
Thunder in the Valley Games – Michigan
Recreation for Children with Special Needs
Boundless Playgrounds works with communities around the country to develop fully integrated, universally accessible playgrounds.
