The Mesa Association of Sports
for the Disabled (MASD) is a non-profit organization
dedicated to providing sports and recreation
opportunities to individuals with all types
of disability. This could include but not
be limited to developmental disabilities,
orthopedic impairment, sensory deficit and/or
neurological involvement.
The Association provides year round sports
training and competition through our Special
Olympics programs for athletes who are intellectually
disabled. In addition, sports and recreation
opportunities are provided for individuals
with physical disabilities through our programs
sanctioned by Wheelchair & Ambulatory
Sports, USA; BlazeSports America; Disabled
Sports, USA; and the United States Paralympics.
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 Mesa Association of Sports
for the Disabled, participation is not limited
to residents of Mesa, Arizona. Participants
in MASD programs have resided throughout
the metropolitan Phoenix area and the 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 throughout
the country compete in various Associations
sponsored events. These events include the
Desert Challenge Games, the largest annual
athletic competition for athletes with physical
disabilities held in the southwestern United
States and the PowerBlast Power Soccer Tournament,
a competition held for athletes who use
power wheelchairs to play soccer. In addition,
recreational opportunities such as SkiAble
and informational workshops are held annually.
The Mesa Association of Sports for the Disabled
is incorporated as a non-profit organization
through the Arizona Corporation Commission,
recognized as a 501-(c)(3) corporation by
the Internal Revenue Service. The Association
is a chapter of Special Olympics Arizona;
Wheelchair & Ambulatory Sports, USA;
BlazeSports America; United States Paralympic
Division; and Disabled Sports, USA.
The Mesa Association of Sports for the
Disabled is governed by an all-volunteer
board of directors.