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To advance the lives of children and adults with physical disabilities through sport and healthy lifestyles
To advance the lives of children and adults with physical disabilities through sport and healthy lifestyles
BlazeSports America is the legacy organization of the 1996 Paralympic Games held in Atlanta, Georgia. These Games, the first held on American soil, were the realization of the dreams of thousands of Americans involved in the growth and promotion of sports for persons with physical disabilities in the United States. Committed to the development of a national program of community-based adaptive sports for children and adults with physical disabilities, the Atlanta Paralympic Organizing Committee established the United States Disabled Athletes Fund (USDAF) in 1993.
In partnership with the Georgia Recreation and Park Association and its member agencies, the USDAF rolled out a model program called BlazeSports Georgia in 1998. The program, named BlazeSports Georgia after the wildly popular Atlanta Paralympic Games mascot Blaze, quickly evolved into a comprehensive plan providing year-round local programs delivered by the community recreation provider; state-level sport camps, clinics, junior teams and competitions delivered by BlazeSports Georgia; and state and regional competitions sponsored by USDAF and other partnering organizations.
In 2002, USDAF launched a national program, BlazeSports America and soon after officially changed its name to the same in recognition of the ever-increasing profile of the BlazeSports brand. Today BlazeSports America is affiliated with teams/programs in just over 60 communities and 29 states and the District Columbia. The national program is funded through corporate sponsorships, grants and individual donations.
1. We are a 501 (c)(3) national nonprofit that works w/ a network of over 60 programs across the country operating in 29 states & D.C.
2. We serve children & adults w/ spinal cord injury, spina bifida, cp, traumatic brain injury, md, amputation, visual impairment & other disabilities.
3. We are a member of the United States Olympic Committee’s Multi-Sport Organizational Council.