Northwest Association for Blind Athletes

Sports Outreach/Camp Spark - This program provides opportunities for children, youth, adults and military veterans who are blind and visually impaired to become introduced to sport and physical activity. Participants participate in a variety of sports including goalball, judo, beep baseball, beep kickball, powerlifting, track and field, tandem cycling, swimming, skiing, dragon boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking, and more. The organization operated 600 Sports Outreach Program experiences during the fiscal year and delivered 1,942 program and services interactions. Most of the nearly 56,000 school-age children who are blind have never experienced any type of physical activity, this program is critical because it helps participants build confidence, enhance self-esteem, develop long-lasting friendships, improve their physical and muscular strength, and empowers them to excel in all areas of life. NWABAs residential camp program, Camp Spark, provides opportunities for children and youth, 8-15, with visual impairments the opportunity to participate in camp on a university campus or campground. This program impacted 98 children and youth through seven sessions and early 438 hours of direct program service.

Sports Adaptations - The Sports Adaptation Program provides adaptations to students, teachers, parents, and community organization about how to adapt sports and recreational opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The program provides equipment loans, digital online resources, and school visits to ensure equitable access for each student. This program provided 224 interactions (an increase of 56 YoY), 49 equipment loans, and 25 consults through virtual and in-person services in the year ending June 30th, 2022. This program helps to combat the 60%+ nationwide unemployment rate among adults with visual impairments by building confidence, enhancing self-esteem and instilling the tools they need to be successful in all areas of life including school and employment.

Increasing Visibility (Public Awareness Program) The Associations public awareness program provides community members the opportunity to learn more about the abilities of people who are blind and visually impaired. This program is delivered through public awareness campaigns, speaking engagements, and allowing community members to experience blindness and participate with athletes. In FY21-22, more than 30,000 contacts were made with community members across Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.