Adaptive Sports USA
Wheelchair Sports, USA is a US Olympic Committee-recognized organization dedicated to promoting sports for children and adults with physical disabilities. Mostly a volunteer organization, they work in conjunction with local and regional sports clubs and associations to help develop and promote sanctioned sporting events for youths and adults with physical disabilities. Juniors make up approximately 30% of the membership.
Wheelchair Sports, USA has fourteen geographical regions dividing the United States for the purpose of holding regional-level meets, qualifying meets, and clinics for developing athletes to move on to more professional levels of competition.
Each year Wheelchair Sports, USA helps sponsor the National Junior Disability Championships, which were formerly known as the Junior Nationals.
History
Wheelchair Sports, USA was founded in 1956 as National Wheelchair Athletic Association. In 1994, the name was changed to Wheelchair Sports, USA to more accurately reflect the organization's mission. For many years, Bulova Watch Company, the Bulova family, and the Bulova School of Watchmaking were the primary financial supporters of the organization.
The national offices moved to Colorado Springs, CO in 1982 to be closer to other sports committees recognized by the US Olympic Committee. In 2006, the national offices were moved to their current location in New Jersey.
Wheelchair Sports, USA played a large role in introducing wheelchair racing in its debut first as an exhibition sport in the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympic games.