Get Inolved!

 

    Sports can provide a platform for individuals to come together and push themselves beyond their limits, and this is especially true for athletes with hearing or visual impairments. If you have a friend or family member who has a hearing or vision impairment and is interested in getting involved in a sport, there are numerous options available. One such option for those with hearing disabilities is the Death Youth Festival in Kentucky. Although this may not be local to those living in the tri-state area, this is an annual event that provides an opportunity for young athletes who are deaf or hard of hearing to come together and compete in various sports. Promoting inclusivity at a young age builds camaraderie amongst those with similar disabilities.

    Similar to the Paralympics, this organization, Mini Deaf Olympics (MDO), provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to participate in sports and develop their physical abilities. Children who are deaf or hard of hearing compete in a variety of sports during this festival, including volleyball, track and field, swimming, basketball, and soccer. The festival offers a chance for young athletes to participate at a high level and display their abilities in age-appropriate divisions. This event will be taking place this year at the Kentucky School of Death from July 9 - 15, and is open to those who qualify!

    Kentucky may be too far for some families, which is understandable considering it is a 10-hour car ride and a 2-hour plane ride. In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports (PCAS) offers adaptive sports for those with physical disabilities, visual impairments, and intellectual disabilities. Moreover, it offers 13 sport-and-wellness programs year-round and is inclusive to those with spinal cord injuries, amputations, spina bifida, stroke, visual impairments, and more. PCAS showcases its _athletes with disabilities_ of all types, severities, and ages. If I had someone close to me with a disability who was looking to be involved in sports, I would direct them to this organization. They offer a wide variety of sports such as birding and also train athletes to join the Paralympics. This organization can be found on centeronline.com, and they can be contacted via email, pcas@centeronline.co, and/or phone number, (215) 765-5118. To increase its reach and effect, PCAS collaborates with a variety of charitable groups, schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation facilities. An organization that reaches out is one I would want someone close to me to be a part of.

    These organizations welcome individuals with all kinds of disabilities and give opportunities to promote activity amongst the youth. Even though many people may not plan on continuing their athletic career on a professional level, being a part of a community with similar individuals inspires this group of individuals. Both these organizations are organizations I would recommend for family members and loved ones, they are easy to find, get in contact with, and join. Creating opportunities for all individuals regardless of ability is an initiative I can get behind, and you can too!