USAB to Host National Adaptive Sport Conference

The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) is pleased to play host to a National Adaptive Sport Conference, September 15-18, 2014, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. More than 55 VA staff and community level adaptive sports professionals from all around the country, who work with Veterans and service members with visual impairments, are attending this event taking place at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center (CSOTC) and the DoubleTree by Hilton World Arena. 

Attendees will gain hands-on experience in six Paralympic sports for the blind and visually impaired to include track and field, judo, rowing, biathlon, tandem cycling and goalball—a sport originally created as a rehabilitation program for blinded veterans returning from World War II. Gaining the necessary tools in an active environment allow VA staff and community level adaptive sports professionals to effectively implement programs at their VA Medical Center. 

“Providing the USABA National Adaptive Sport Conference allows us to work with the VA staff to build the infrastructure to positively impact Veterans and members of the Armed Forces who are blind and visually impaired,” said U.S. Association of Blind Athletes Executive Director, Mark Lucas.

Below are specific times open for viewing to highlight portions of the conference.

Monday, September 15:
7:00-7:30PM                           Keynote speaker blinded Veteran Richard Hunter to present at DoubleTree by Hilton World Arena

Tuesday, September 16:
8:30-11:30AM                            Sport training sessions at CSOTC 
1:30-4:30PM                              Sport training sessions at CSOTC
7:00-7:30PM                              Speaker blinded Veteran Steve Walker to present at DoubleTree by Hilton World Arena

Wednesday, September 17:
12:00-1:15PM                            Veteran sports panel at CSOTC
1:30-4:30PM                              Paralympic sport competition at CSOTC
6:30-7:00PM                              Keynote speaker Veteran and Paralympian John Register to present at DoubleTree by Hilton World Arena

USABA’s mission is to enhance the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired by providing the opportunity for participation in sports and physical activity. For more information, go to www.usaba.org.

The grant funding for this program is awarded by U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, through funding by Veterans Affairs, The grants are provided to facilitate the growth of Paralympic sport programming for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces.