Paralympic Athletes! 2015 Desert Challenge Games

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About Arizona Disabled Sports

Location:

59 E. Broadway Rd., Mesa, AZ 85210, US

Mission Statement

Recognizing the importance of recreational, leisure and competitive opportunities that contribute to the quality of life, the primary mission of the Mesa Association of Sports for the Disabled is to provide a variety of programs and activities to individuals with disabilities. Toward this end, the Association will work to educate, inform and include the community in a comprehensive effort to provide year round activities. Through participation, the athlete will realize individual accomplishment, self-esteem, respect for themselves and others.

Description

The Mesa Association of Sports for the Disabled (MASD) is a non-profit
organization dedicated to providing sports and recreation opportunities to
individuals with all types of disability. This could include but not be limited
to developmental disabilities, orthopedic impairment, sensory deficit and/or neurological involvement.

The Association provides year round sports training and competition through our Team Mesa adaptive programs for athletes who are intellectually disabled. In addition, sports and recreation opportunities are provided for individuals with physical disabilities through our programs sanctioned by Wheelchair & Ambulatory Sports, USA; BlazeSports America; Disabled Sports, USA; and the United States Paralympics.

The Association coordinates various resources in a cooperative effort with
Mesa Public Schools and the City of Mesa Parks, Recreation and Commercial Facilities to provide a comprehensive program of sports and recreation to individuals with disabilities of all ages.

Because of the unique nature of the programs offered by the Mesa Association of Sports for the Disabled, participation is not limited to residents of Mesa, Arizona. Participants in MASD programs have resided throughout the metropolitan Phoenix area and the state of Arizona. For this reason among others, the organization began doing business as Arizona Disabled Sports in 2007.

Approximately 1000 local athletes participate in seasonal training sessions and competitions and an additional 500 athletes from throughout the country
compete in various Associations sponsored events. These events include the Desert Challenge Games, the largest annual athletic competition for athletes with physical disabilities held in the southwestern United States and the PowerBlast Power Soccer Tournament, a competition held for athletes who use power wheelchairs to play soccer. In addition, recreational opportunitiessuch as SkiAble and informational workshops are held annually.

The Mesa Association of Sports for the Disabled is incorporated as a non-profit
organization through the Arizona Corporation Commission, recognized as a 501-(c)(3) corporation by the Internal Revenue Service.The Association is a chapter of Wheelchair & Ambulatory Sports, USA and Disabled Sports USA and is a Paralympic Sport Club. MASD serves as Team Mesa in competitions hosted by Special Olympics Arizona (SOAZ) but is a separate non-profit organization providing programs to athletes with intellectual disabilities in Mesa.

The Mesa Association of Sports for the Disabled is governed by an
all-volunteer board of directors.