Organizations

These organizations encourage participation and competition in sports and physical fitness activities by people who are blind or visually impaired.

The United States Association of Blind Athletes; Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
http://www.tsbvi.edu/Outreach/newsletter/spring07/usaba.htm
Sarah K. Bradley "reviews the history of the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA), discusses benefits of athletic participation, and provides USABA contact information"; available in English and Spanish.

Web-Based Organizations and Internet Resources

American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD)
www.aahperd.org
AAHPERD is "the largest organization of professionals supporting and assisting those involved in physical education, leisure, fitness, dance, health promotion, and education and all specialties related to achieving a healthy lifestyle."

Discovery Blind Sports
http://www.discoveryblindsports.org/
"Discovery is dedicated to fostering self-sufficiency in blind and visually impaired children and adults by improving their mobility, confidence, independence, and social skills through involvement in physical activities."

International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA)
http://www.ibsa.es/
IBSA offers information on specific sports, multimedia presentations, a calendar of international competitions, and links to numerous organizations; available in English and Spanish.

National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD)
http://www.ncpad.org/
"This site provides information and resources that can enable people with disabilities to become as physically active as they choose to be."

The National Consortium for Physical Education and Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities (NCPERID)
www.ncperid.org/
The Consortium provides electronic access to the Adapted Physical Education National Standards (APENS) and information on careers in adapted physical education, as well as downloadable position statements and documents on physical education guidelines for children with disabilities.

National Sports Center for the Disabled
http://www.nscd.org/
NSCD is one of the nation's largest therapeutic recreational organizations.  The site provides links and resources, including a list of adaptive programs around the country.

Special Olympics
http://www.specialolympics.org
The Special Olympics site includes coaching guidelines for athletes with visual impairments, modifications and adaptations.

United States Association of Blind Athletes
http://www.usaba.org/
USABA provides extensive information on sports adaptations, visual classifications, and the Paralympics games.

New England Regional Organizations

Maine Handicapped Skiing
http://www.skimhs.org/
Skiiers will find a description and photographs of different types of adaptations.

New England Handicapped Sports Association
http://www.nehsa.org/
Information on adaptive equipment and techniques is displayed here.

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports
http://www.vermontadaptive.org/
This site includes information on adaptive sports, techniques and equipment.

Additional Sports Groups 

Blind Sailing International
http://www.blindsailing.org/
The "governing body for competitive international sailing for persons who are blind or vision impaired,"  Blind Sailing International's site offers general racing rules and boat information.

National Beep Baseball Association
http://www.nbba.org
This site informs on all aspects of Beep Baseball, including an equipment list, game rules, a pitcher's guide, and a defense manual.  It also features a Beep Baseball Podcast, with news and stories behind the game.

Sports Groups; VisionAWARE
http://www.visionaware.org/sports_groups
VisionAWARE lists associations serving the recreation needs of people with blindness or low vision; some sites include information on adapted equipment and safety tips.

U.S. Blind Horseshoe Pitchers Association (Midnite Ringers)
http://www.midniteringers.org/
Responses to common questions about blind horseshoe pitching are here, including information on assistive devices.  Related links are also listed.