Arizona Disabled Sports to host the 2021 Desert Challenge Games in Mesa

Arizona Disabled Sports will host the 2021 Desert Challenge Games May 26 – 30, 2021 at Westwood High School, Kino Aquatic Center, and the Broadway Recreation Center in Mesa, Arizona. The Desert Challenge Games provide the opportunity for local, national, and international athletes with physical, visual, or intellectual disabilities to compete in Air Pistol & Rifle, Archery, Swimming, and Track & Field events with the hope of qualifying for Junior Nationals, Adult National Championships, US Veteran Games or the Tokyo Paralympic Games. It is expected that over 400 athletes from 15 countries will compete in the 2021 Desert Challenge Games.

 Arizona Disabled Sports has hosted the Desert Challenge Games since 1991 and is the leading organization in Arizona that provides athletic opportunities for individuals with all types of disability. Sponsors of the 2021 Desert Challenge Games include the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, Move United, Hanger Clinic, Ottobock, Touchstone Rehabilitation, People’s Mortgage, and Visit Mesa.

Over 300 volunteers are needed to help facilitate the 2021 Desert Challenge Games. Volunteers will be provided the opportunity to win daily raffle prizes as well as a grand prize $200 Amazon gift card for their support.

To learn more about the Desert Challenge Games visit www.desertchallengegames.com.

Arizona Disabled Sports Receives CAC Designation

Arizona Disabled Sports is excited to announce they have earned the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The designation indicates that staff have received evidence-based training through IBCCES to enhance their understanding and mindfulness when working with individuals with autism or other cognitive disorders.

“At Arizona Disabled Sports we are dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities through adaptive sports and recreation. This means ensuring our staff is properly trained in a variety of areas so that those with a disability can participate in activities they love despite the challenges they face. When we heard about Mesa becoming the first Autism Certified City in the country and that organizations could also receive certification, it was a no-brainer for us to pursue certification because of the population we serve,” said Rhonda Carlson, Executive Director of Arizona Disabled Sports. “We also wanted to join the many other businesses and organizations within Mesa that have received certification to truly show how important it is for all of us to continue to build an inclusive community. With certification, we have enhanced the resources we have available to serve individuals with autism and have better positioned ourselves as an organization that leaves no one sitting on the sidelines.”

For more information about Arizona Disabled Sports’ CAC designation, please visit the IBCCES website at https://bit.ly/AZDisabledSports.