Program areas at DSUSA
Member services: Move United provides services to its over 200 community based organizations operating locally in 45 states serving 120,000 annually. These services are designed to enable these local adaptive sports organizations provide safe and effective sports rehabilitation programs for people with disabilities in their communities. Services include: instructor and coach training in adaptive sports; grants to operate programs and purchase adaptive equipment; seminars in program administration, volunteer recruitment and training, marketing, fundraising, and risk management; insurance; promotion of local activities on a national level and other ongoing capacity building and technical assistance.
Move United supports adaptive sports and recreation through various programs included here under this heading. Communication of innovations, events, developments and athlete profiles with the general public via our website, social media, newsletters and our quarterly magazine. For the past 34 years Move United has held ski spectacular, one of the largest adaptive snow sport festivals in the country. Move United supports the development of youth as the next generation of adaptive sport champions. Our e-team provides resources for youth of all ages to connect and network with our extensive member network's adaptive sports and recreation events, competitions and lessons. Funding is made available for training, equipment and competition. Move United launched a first of its kind initiative to engage people with disabilities at home, reducing isolation and improving quality of life. The #adaptathome challenge is engaging thousands of wounded warfighters, youth and adults with disabilities nationwide.
Move United warfighters: offers sports rehabilitation for severely wounded warriors in military hospitals and communities across the u.s. Through a nationwide network of over 200 community-based chapters. Since 1967, Move United has proudly served wounded warriors, including those injured in the iraq and afghanistan wars, offering over 70 winter and summer sports at more than 100 events each year. Move United warfighters rebuilds lives through sports by improving self-confidence, promoting independence and uniting families through shared healthy activities. Contributions cover expenses for participation of the warrior and a family member, including individualized adaptive instruction, adaptive sports equipment, transportation, lodging and meals. Since 2003, more than 18,000 of the most severely wounded and their families have been served, including those with amputations, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, visual impairments, and significant nerve and muscle damage.
Ski spectacular: for the past 35 years Move United has held ski spectacular, one of the largest adaptive snow sport festivals in the country. Each year, ski spectacular attracts over 800 participants from over 30 states and several foreign countries, for a week of activities. This includes training of local ski instructors and coaches in the latest adaptive ski techniques for amputees, spinal and head injured, blind, those with neuromuscular disabilities like cerebral palsy and developmentally disabled. It also includes learn to ski and snowboard classes; race training clinics for youth, wounded warriors and others; nordic ski training; a race; and chapter development seminars.education: as the nation's leading provider of training in adaptive sport, Move United has educated more than 6,000 coaches, instructors, educators, leaders, and va staff who teach or want to teach sport and recreation to people with disabilities. Offerings include an annual national conference as well as sport specific trainings across the country.competition: nationals - each year for over 35 years, Move United has conducted an annual national summer sports competition that offers opportunities for athletes of all ages to compete in six sports including: archery, shooting, weightlifting, track & field, swimming, & triathlon. This event also provides instructional programs in adaptive summer sports such as tennis and volleyball. Each year, Move United junior nationals attracts over 270 participants from 33 states.