Arizona Disabled Sports

Move United / Locations /

Arizona Disabled Sports | AZDS

Chapter

The Mesa Association of Sports for the Disabled, also doing business as Arizona Disabled Sports (AzDS), is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing sports and recreation opportunities for individuals with all types of disabilities. This can include but is not limited to developmental disabilities, orthopedic impairment, sensory deficit and/or neurological involvement.

The Association provides year round sports training and competition through our Team Mesa adaptive programs for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. In addition, sports and recreation opportunities are provided for individuals with physical disabilities through our Arizona Heat physically challenged programs.

The Association coordinates various resources in a cooperative effort with Mesa Public Schools and the City of Mesa Parks, Recreation and Commercial Facilities to provide a comprehensive program of sports and recreation to individuals with disabilities of all ages.

Because of the unique nature of the programs offered by the organization, participation is not limited to residents of Mesa, Arizona. Many participants in the adaptive programs reside throughout the metropolitan Phoenix area and the entire state of Arizona. For this reason, among others, the organization began doing business as Arizona Disabled Sports in 2007.

Approximately 1000 local athletes participate in seasonal training sessions and competitions and an additional 500 athletes from across the country compete in various Association sponsored events.

The Mesa Association of Sports for the Disabled is incorporated as a non-profit organization through the Arizona Corporation Commission, recognized as a 501c3 corporation by the Internal Revenue Service. The Association is a chapter of Adaptive Sports USA, Disabled Sports USA and is a Paralympic Gold Level Sport Club. The organization serves as Team Mesa in competitions hosted by Special Olympics Arizona (SOAZ) but is a separate non-profit organization providing programs to athletes with intellectual disabilities in Mesa.

Activities

See All

Alpine/Downhill Skiing

Alpine skiing, or downhill skiing, is the pastime of sliding down snow-covered slopes on skis. There are tons of disabled skiers flying down the slopes across the country. Experienced skiers make it look easy as they swoosh and cut their way through powdery (and sometimes not so powdery) snow. While it takes some practice to refine…

Para Shooting has been part of the Paralympic Games since Toronto, Canada in 1976 and currently is being practiced in over 75 countries. Air Rifle and Pistol shooting is a test of skill and mental discipline, in which competitors use pneumatic rifles and pistols to fire a series of shots at a paper target. Competitions…

Archery is a sport that is open to everyone; it is inclusive of all ages, genders and abilities. Athletes with physical or cognitive impairments, who may otherwise be dissuaded from participating in sports can participate in archery alongside athletes without any disability. Don’t think you have to purchase all of the equipment you need before…

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…

Rain, sleet, snow, or hail … it seems that no matter the weather, you can always see a cyclist biking for pleasure, on an errand, or keeping fit. The love of bike riding is rapidly growing across nearly every demographic. Cycling has always been a great way to enjoy the outdoors, socialize with fellow bikers,…

“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.”…

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…

There is a rapidly growing adaptive sport that is changing the way people think of those using a power chair. That sport is power soccer. “It is not only changing the perception others have, but also how participants think of themselves,” said Jonathan Newman, the Adult Sports Coordinator at Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program…

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…

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…

Track and Field is the largest Olympic and Paralympic sport in terms of the number of athletes and number of classifications and categories. In addition to the races that take place on the track, there are a number of competitions that take place on the field inside the track. In particular, there are throwing and…