AAD Programs & Services

I.  Victory Games Series - An array of multi or single sport venues or activities, serving both multi or single disability audiences while offering competitive and participatory events and activities which create opportunities for athletes with disabilities to participate, train, advance, and to have fun while meeting, greeting and learning from one another.   

Examples of Victory Games events and activities may include track and field meets, invitationals, and team tournaments such as wheelchair basketball, goal ball, sledge hockey or soccer, road racing, exhibitions, national and international athletic competitions and games, clinics, or workshops to mention a few!!!

II.  National Disability Sports Registry - The purpose of this service is to gather and maintain data reflecting to the world just how many people with disabilities are currently participating in sports, recreation, leisure, health and fitness activities. 

The ability to accurately identify the number of athletes with disabilities and the number of other individuals (family, friends and supporters) will help to support and justify positive and beneficial decisions on funding and resources for disability sports and recreation.   

This service is provided by AAD for athletes, families and others wishing to be informed and kept up to date on sports events, competitions and recreational activities for persons with physical disabilities.   

III.  Grants  - Based upon available funding, AAD awards grants on a quarterly basis to provide full or partial support for activities in the following four areas.

1.  Youth Sports Training and Competition Grants - Funding is awarded for events and activities which include grassroots community based sports and recreational training and competition programs for youth with physical disabilities.   

America’s Athletes nurtures the athletic ability and interest of young people with physical disabilities by providing opportunities for young people to learn new skills, develop self-esteem and become better prepared for adult life.   

Training and Competition Programs teach the value of participation as well as the benefits and thrill of competition. 

2.  National Disability Awareness, Education and Diversity Programs-Funding is awarded to community based grassroots organizations offering disability awareness, education and/or diversity programs addressing one or more of the following areas:

     1.      Encourage understanding and social acceptance of persons with

              disabilities.

2.      Change and enhance perceptions of person with disabilities.

     3.      Increase understanding of various types of disabilities such as hearing,

              vision, motor and cognitive differences.

4.      Provide greater sensitivity to the differences among people.

5.      Lessen awkwardness and increase sensitivity to persons with disabilities.

     6.      Introduce various types of adaptive equipment and assistive

              technologies available to support people with disabilities.

7.      Advocate full employment and integration of persons with disabilities.  

The purpose of such programs is to educate audiences of all ages, especially children without disabilities, about life, challenges and opportunities for individuals with disabilities. 

These programs are geared for local schools systems, colleges, universities, civic group, women’s groups, non-profits, allied health professionals, churches, synagogues, able- bodied sports organizations, military hospital and rehab centers and corporations. 

3.  Community and Grassroots Partnering-Funding (seed money) is awarded to groups and organizations sponsoring “first time” or “annual” games, events, competitions, etc. including sports, recreation, leisure, health and fitness activities for persons with physical disabilities.   

First time activities could include a segregated event such as new track and field meet for disabled athletes. Or it might include partial funding of an “integrated” new division for athletes with disabilities in an existing road race.     

4.  Organizational Capacity Building-Funding is awarded to community based groups already serving athletes with disabilities to help them become more independent financially, improve their management and communications and public relations.  The goal is to help such groups increase and improve their capacity to carry out future programs serving athletes with disabilities.   Activities include workshops, training seminars, regional and national conferences, etc. 

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