Empowering Individuals
with Disabilities Since 1997

DASA encourages a holistic, healthy lifestyle through a family-friendly athletic and rehabilitative environment that empowers children and adults with physical disabilities to live to the best of their natural abilities with greater emotional and physical well-being.

Recreation Programs

Recreational programs like archery, scuba diving, Paralympic powerlifting, and a variety of seasonal, non-competitive sports and camps foster strength and achievement.

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The Ability Gym

If you’re ready to gain strength and endurance join our adaptive fitness, exercise rehabilitation, strengthening, and athlete performance group or individual sessions.

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Competitive Team Sports

Want to be on a competitive team and build skills and comradery? Check out our wheelchair basketball, soccer, rugby, sled hockey, swim, track & field, and more.

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Donate Now!

Your donation impacts our DASA athletes’ lives directly and helps them thrive. We simply could not help this amazing group of individuals without you.

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Our Impact By The Numbers

98%

of athletes increase health
and well-being

3000+

Athletes and
families served

$.87

Portion of each dollar that directly helps athletes

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Make a Difference

Getting involved in any way you can – donating, sponsoring, attending fundraisers, sharing DASA on social media, coming to cheer on our athletes, and more – makes a difference and impacts our athletes’ lives.

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Our Events Calendar

DASA holds many fun, important events, including competitions, exhibitions, sporting events, camps, and fundraisers. View our calendar and join us for an exciting time while benefiting our athletes.

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Save the Date for Our Upcoming Events

ALL DASA PROGRAMMING IS BEING MODIFIED DUE TO COVID-19.

DASA Charity Golf Tournament
May 10, 2021

New location for 2021: Innsbrook Golf Course! One of DASA's biggest and most important fundraisers as the proceeds from players, sponsors, and donors support athletic and therapeutic programs, adaptive equipment, and team member support for the entire year.
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Gateway Games
May 15, 2021

DASA hosts a large competition every year in May. The Gateway Games offers competition for track and field, archery, boccia, paralympic powerlifting, and swimming.
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Register for Sports
May 17, 2021

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Camp WeCanDu
June 20-25, 2021

Camp WeCanDu provides an opportunity for local youth with physical disabilities to fully participate in a week-long, traditional summer camp experience.
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Bartender Challenge Benefiting DASA
June 27, 2021

Join DASA on June 27, 2021 for the Public School House Bartender Challenge from 4-6pm. Proceeds benefit DASA.
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CCF&R Mud Volleyball Tournament Benefiting DASA
July 10, 2021

Join DASA on July 10, 2021 for the Central County Fire & Rescue Mud Volleyball Tournament. Proceeds benefit DASA.
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The Street Party Run benefiting DASA
Oct 16, 2021

THE PARTY IS ON, AND YOU ARE INVITED! Once a year we come around that do something special – we find a great local charity and work to support it with the insurmountable power that is the St. Louis endurance community!
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Sportacular Event
November 6, 2021

The DASA's Annual Sportacular Event raises awareness and funds for individuals with a physical disability.
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Deck the Pubs for DASA, Pub Crawl Fundraiser
December 2021

Be sure to attend our festive Deck the Pubs for DASA Pub Crawl Fundraiser event in December. All proceeds from this event go towards the fitness program to help purchase adaptive equipment and fund scholarships for athletes.
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Recreation & Competitive Sports

Do you love to compete or simply enjoy fitness and recreational activities? Our recreation programs, camps, and competitive sports, like yoga, rock climbing, archery, wheelchair basketball, soccer, swimming, and others, offer something for everyone.

Recreational Sports Competitive Teams

Ability Gym & Paralympic Training

Our Ability Gym helps you rediscover and focus on the abilities you already have with post-therapy fitness, strengthening, and enhancing peak performance to achieve sporting goals and reach even higher.

The Ability Gym Paralympic Training

Testimonials

Diffability: We are not “normal,” not “broken,” not “special.” We don’t have a “condition.” We are able, we just have different abilities, or diffabilities.

“We’ve moved all over the country and experienced many different therapy approaches. When we moved to St. Louis, we found DASA and it has been life-changing for our son. He is now a competing Paralympic athlete in Track and Field.”

“…our son has never been away from home before and has extreme anxiety. During camp week, he gained so much confidence and independence! And, it still shows on a daily basis.”

Our son has been part of DASA for several years now; his growth has been amazing. When he doesn’t focus on his physical ‘diffabilities’ as much, he can tune into his intellectual and social abilities. It’s been a blessing to be a part of this organization and see my son blossom.”

“Camp WeCanDu reminds me of how amazing DASA and its members truly are. A community bond exists unlike one I have ever been a part of.  The kids amaze me every year, growing in their compassion and maturity. I am so thankful to take part in Camp WeCanDu.”

This school year, our son gained enough strength to easily walk through his school building and keep up with his schedule and his peers. His many successes are strongly influenced by the opportunities he has had at DASA (archery, swimming, golf, the AT/Ability Gym). We are forever grateful.

So many times in the real world, our daughter gets left out or has to sit on the sidelines and watch other kids participate. Not with Camp WeCanDo! It still brings tears to my eyes seeing my child doing all of the things any other kid can do. I don’t think saying thank you is enough to express how I feel.”

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Thank you to our corporate and individual DASA sponsors!