SportsAbility Alliance
(Formerly Florida Disabled Outdoors Association)
The Florida Disabled Outdoors Association (FDOA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that is working to enrich lives through accessible inclusive recreation. Since its inception in 1990, the FDOA has promoted accessible recreation to persons with disabilities as well as the general public through its hands-on recreation programs, newsletters and community outreach and education.
FDOA has also assisted in compliance of the Americans with Disabilities Act and worked closely with many state, local and private organizations to develop, enhance and/or support recreation opportunities for the people with disabilities across Florida and beyond. We could not do any of it without our team and our partners. Choose an option below to learn more.
SportsAbility Alliance was founded in 1990 (originally as Florida Disabled Outdoors Association) by David Jones after a hunting accident left him with permanent paralysis on his left side. David took this “tragedy” as an opportunity to help people with disabilities (and all abilities) become more active, not only to improve their mobility, but also to improve their mental well-being. This has been his personal crusade ever since.
In 2002, SportsAbility Alliance hired Laurie LoRe-Gussak as their first Executive Director. Since then, the organization has grown and established itself as a leading not-for-profit in Florida and beyond.
In the early years, SportsAbility Alliance primarily provided outdoor adventures for people of all abilities. The organization is now providing and advocating for indoor, outdoor and even virtual and virtual reality activities. People of all abilities that participate in their events come from all over to experience activities such as boating, SCUBA, sky diving, art, rugby, archery, fishing, shooting sports, paddling and more. Hands-on training has helped people of all abilities become more comfortable and confident in being active. In 2021, the Florida Disabled Outdoors Association changed its name to SportsAbility Alliance, a name that better reflects what they now do.
Activities
See AllBaseball
Basketball
In the beginning you had to have a spinal cord injury in order to play wheelchair basketball. But that, much like the game itself, has come a long way since 1946. Today, in order to be eligible to play wheelchair basketball within the NWBA (National Wheelchair Basketball Association) a person must have a permanent lower…
Boccia
Canoeing
There is a lot to the sport – more than numbers on the scoreboard, the human side to this is a very powerful experience and I think all the para-athletes can appreciate that they are working to help each other. It brings countries and people together in a marvelous way.Jan Whitaker, President of Paralympic Sport…
Equestrian/Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is naturally therapeutic. Whether they have physical, cognitive, sensory or emotional disabilities, participants benefit from riding or working with horses. Nicole Budden, Founder and Director of Happy Trails Riding Center All About Equestrian Getting Started Equine-assisted therapy, hippotherapy, therapeutic riding…These are all terms that have specific definitions, but they share a common…
Fishing
Flyfishing made a real big difference in my recovery and helped flip that switch from thinking about negative things to positive things. There is a lot of peace and a lot of connecting with nature involved with fishing. – David Folkerts, Chief Operations Officer of Project Healing Waters Fishing 101 Photo Credits: Matt Romero,…
Football/Wheelchair Football
Golf
“That’s what makes golf so great. It’s a handicap system. If I’m playing against a guy who’s got all his limbs and he’s got a 14 handicap, I’ve got to give him seven strokes. Golf is such an equal game because of the handicap system. That’s what makes it fun for people everywhere to play.”…
Kayaking
When you go skiing, you need to find a mountain and cold weather. You don’t need anything special to start kayaking. Kayaking is just down the road. -Joe Mornini, Executive Director of Team River Runner Getting Started Looking to spend a quiet afternoon enjoying the outdoors and scenery? Perhaps you’re more of a thrill…
Paddle Boarding
Rock Climbing
One of the things I like about rock climbing is that it always gives you little triumphs. You can reach new levels, you are never out of challenges, and you can do it pretty much anywhere. – Jarem Frye, Climbing Enthusiast and K12 Prosthetics founder Becoming Familiar with Adaptive Climbing For a full body…
Sailing
I have always been a competitive athlete and I enjoy that aspect of sailing. It’s not about who is the strongest, but who can think the best. It’s a three dimensional game of chess that is going on and the chess board is always changing. Water is never the same because of currents and the…
Scuba
Scuba is an acronym for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. Although humans have been venturing underwater for more than 2000 years, it wasn’t until 1942 they were able to breathe underwater free from a surface supply of air. It was Jacques Cousteau, collaborating with French engineer Emile Gagnan, who developed the SCUBA. Getting Started To…
Swimming
Since the first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960, swimming has been one of the Games’ main sports. The thrill of competition aside, swimming offers many benefits including strengthening the cardiovascular systems and the major muscle groups of both the upper and lower body. It also develops flexibility in the muscles and joints as…
Tennis/Wheelchair Tennis
The people you meet through tennis are friendly, happy, optimistic and outgoing, They just want to have a good time and want others to have a good time. – Steve Kappes, Director of the San Diego Wounded Warrior Tennis Program and Director of Military Outreach for the San Diego District Tennis Association All About…
Water Skiing
Water Skiing 101 Ride the Wake! There is nothing like spending a warm summer day by the water. But water-skiers will tell you that even better is a day spent water skiing along on the surface of the water with the wind in their hair. Don’t think because you have a disability that you can’t…
CONTACTS
- Email: https://www.sportsability.org/contact-us
- Web: sportsability.org
- Phone: (850) 201-2944
- Location: Tallahassee, FL, 32308
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