Athlete Resources
We know it can be challenging to find the resources you may need as a disabled athlete or anyone at any stage of a disability, so the DASA team has compiled a few here. If you can’t find what you’re looking for or you need assistance, please feel free to contact DASA.
Mobility Resources
Creative Mobility
Located within The Bike Rack, Creative Mobility specializes in helping you find the right equipment solution for your specific needs. Custom fitting is an integral part of what they can do for you. Seating, adaptations, and modifications are only part of the services offered. Fittings by appointment. Visit online at Creative Mobility.
Lasting Impressions Home Remodel Center, Ltd.
Lasting Impressions Home Remodel Center, Ltd. specializes in universal design and accessibility and can help make your home comfortable and capable for you to live in and stay in, safely. Lasting Impressions works with the DDRB, St. Louis Regional Centers, Easter Seals, Paraquad, the VA, and a number of other organizations to assist in providing funding for these types of projects. They have been a family-owned business for over 69 years and counting! Visit Lasting Impressions Home Remodel Center and Becky Behlmann Bilyeu for more info.
NuMotion
NuMotion is committed to serving the lifelong needs of customers through individualized health and mobility solutions. Visit NuMotion to learn more.
Southern Bus & Mobility
The Southern Bus and Mobility team is a group of expert individuals united by their passion for creating amazing experiences for their customers. From personal mobility vehicle consulting to school bus sales and long-term maintenance of the vehicles they sell, their success is tied to your satisfaction.
Whether you are looking for a vehicle to transport a group or to modify your current vehicle so it better fits your independent lifestyle, our team at Southern Bus and Mobility is deeply knowledgeable about available options and can help point you in the right direction for what will achieve your goals. Visit Southern Bus and Mobility for more information.
United Access
United Access is an industry-leading provider of accessible vehicles with a goal to provide freedom, accessibility, and independence to those living with physical disabilities. Visit United Access for more information.
Local Hospitals
Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital
Ranken Jordan is a pediatric bridge hospital providing a continuum of care for medically complicated children and their families. As the first and only pediatric bridge hospital, Ranken Jordan bridges the gap between acute care and home for kids with even the most complex conditions, illnesses, and injuries. Visit Ranken Jordan online.
The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis
The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis, a partnership with BJC HealthCare and HealthSouth, has locations in St. Louis and St. Charles County. As one of the nation’s largest provider of inpatient rehabilitation, their hospitals stand at the leading edge of advanced technologies and treatments. The technologies they offer help to improve patients’ functional independence measure, which ultimately leads to getting them back home quickly. Visit The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis for additional information.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital
St. Louis Children’s Hospital will be the hallmark for quality pediatric care within our region, as well as nationally and internationally. As the flagship for a growing, integrated pediatric health-care network, Children’s will lead the development of innovative, cost-effective approaches in prevention, primary care, and specialty services, with the ultimate goal of improving the health of all children. Visit St. Louis Children’s Hospital for more information.
Shriners Hospitals for Children – St. Louis
Shriners Hospitals for Children has the vision to become the best at transforming children’s lives by providing exceptional healthcare through innovative research in a patient and family-centered environment. Visit Shriners St. Louis for more information.
SSM Rehabilitation Network
As the leading provider of comprehensive rehabilitation services in the St. Louis area, SSM Rehabilitation Hospital delivers the specialized care and advanced treatment that enables individuals with stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, neurological disorders, amputation, joint replacement, and other orthopedic trauma, and general medical rehabilitation needs, to rebuild their lives. Visit SSM Rehab Network for more information.
Local Organizations
Camp Barnabas
Camp Barnabas is a unique ministry providing Christian camping experiences to people with special needs and to their siblings. The program exists to offer life-changing experiences to campers and to the people who serve them. Utilizing the camp venue, our organization provides ministry and social experiences that increase spiritual knowledge and increase human dignity to all who participate in the program. Visit Camp Barnabas to learn more.
Community Living, Inc.
Community Living, Inc. is committed to excellence and compassion in providing innovative services and opportunities for people with disabilities. Community Living’s mission and programs reach over 900 individuals and their families. From children to seniors, Community Living provides people with disabilities the opportunity to learn, live, work, and play in the community, which makes the community inclusive, diverse, and a better place to live. Visit CLI Services to learn more.
HARBOR Unlimited
HARBOR Unlimited is a nonprofit organization that works closely with families who have a disabled person in their lives. Their mission statement reads, ‘Open arms for all abilities and their families to experience unlimited opportunities.’ They work with all age groups and encourage full families to participate. While doctors and specialists focus on what cannot be done, HARBOR Unlimited focuses on the beauty of life and assisting those with special needs to live each day fulfilled and loved. Through events, education, camps, and other meet-ups, this organization serves a wide range of families in and around St. Louis County and the surrounding areas. Visit HARBOR Unlimited to learn more.
Paraquad
Paraquad’s programs and services provide hands-on, practical assistance for people with disabilities, all geared toward the goal of independent living. Paraquad’s staff works with participants to determine their needs and tailor services to help them reach their goals. Visit Paraquad to learn more.
The Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis
The Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis is a not-for-profit organization that serves as a clearinghouse for information on leisure, recreation, and socialization opportunities for individuals with developmental disABILITIES who reside in the Greater St. Louis Area. Visit Recreation Council to learn more.
Show Me Aquatics
The mission of Show Me Aquatics is to promote health, fitness, and quality of life in an environment that is as accommodating, accessible, and as barrier-free as possible. Visit Show Me Aquatics to learn more.
Team Activities for Special Kinds (TASK)
The mission of TASK is to enrich the lives of kids with special needs by providing athletic and social opportunities. Visit TASK Sports to learn more.
National Adaptive Sport Resources
Move United
Move United is a community-based chapter network that provides national leadership for grassroots adaptive sport and recreation organizations. DASA is proud to represent St. Louis as an official Move United Chapter. Visit Move United to learn more.
National Wheelchair Basketball Association
In the pursuit of excellence, the National Wheelchair Basketball Association provides qualified individuals with physical disabilities the opportunity to play, learn, and compete in the sport of wheelchair basketball. The National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) is comprised of over 200 wheelchair basketball teams across twenty-two conferences. The NWBA was founded in 1948, and today consists of eight divisions including Division I, Division II, Division III, Women’s Division, Intercollegiate Men’s Division and Intercollegiate Women’s Division, as well as Junior 10’ (Varsity) and Junior Prep Divisions. visit the National Wheelchair Basketball Association to learn more.
United States Association of Blind Athletes
A member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, USABA provides athletic opportunities in various sports including, but not limited to track and field, nordic and alpine skiing, biathlon, judo, wrestling, swimming, tandem cycling, powerlifting and goalball (a team sport for the blind and visually impaired). Visit United States Association of Blind Athletes to learn more.
United States Paralympics
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (U.S.O.P.C.) and is dedicated to becoming the world leader in the Paralympic Movement and promoting excellence in the lives of people with Paralympic-eligible impairments, including physical disabilities and visual impairments. DASA is the Paralympic Sport Club of St. Louis. To learn more, go to U.S. Paralympics, or find a club near you with the Paralympic Sport Club Finder.
United States Power Soccer Association
USPSA governs the sport of power soccer throughout the U.S. and promotes the sport on the national and international levels. It is the mission and hope of the USPSA that all persons with disabilities who use power soccer wheelchairs will have the opportunity to play and experience power soccer. Visit United States Power Soccer Association to learn more.
United States Wheelchair Rugby Association
The United States Wheelchair Rugby Association provides oversight, development, and administration to the sport of wheelchair rugby across the United States. Since 1988, the USQRA has been promoting and supporting wheelchair rugby to provide competitive athletic opportunities to eligible people with disabilities and also to empower people to reach their full potential in all areas of life. The USWRA features 45 teams with more than 500 athletes across the country. Visit United States Wheelchair Rugby Association to learn more.
Funding Resources
Adaptive equipment and training are expensive! Luckily for us, there are organizations that want to help. Please click on each organization’s website link to take a look at the criteria and funding requirements prior to applying.
Challenged Athletes Foundation
Established in 1997, the Challenged Athletes Foundation recognizes the athletic greatness inherent in all people with physical challenges and supports their athletic endeavors by providing unparalleled sports opportunities that lead to success in sports – and in life. Visit the Challenged Athletes Foundation website to learn more about grant information.
- WHO: An athlete with a physical disability who is recognized within the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) classifications.
- WHAT: Coaching/training fees, like a gym membership and coaching fees; competition expenses, like entry fees, flights, and lodging for an event, and adaptive equipment.
Kelly Brush Foundation
The Kelly Brush Foundation has two passions – helping people thrive by incorporating sports and recreation into their lifestyle and preventing injuries in the sport of ski racing. This foundation helps with funding through:
- The ADAPTIVE SPORTS EQUIPMENT GRANT
- WHO: This grant is open to those with spinal cord injuries (caused by traumatic injury or medical cause), spina bifida, and transverse myelitis.
- WHAT: Any piece of adaptive sports equipment that allows an applicant to be active and participate in a sport or recreational activity will be considered
- GUIDELINES: Download Guidelines & Requirements
Handcycling Funding Option
While ReActive Adaptations is not affiliated with the foundations listed on this page, there are some good resources listed on their website: Handcycle Funding Sources.
Road Runner Sports
Road Runner Sports’ goal is giving as many children as possible a fun way to learn how to ride, gain strength, and participate in great events! Visit ATHLETES HELPING ATHLETES to learn more.
- WHO: Grant recipients must be 18 years of age or younger and have a permanent physical disability.
- WHAT: Adaptive Cycle
- APPLICATION: ALWAYS OPEN… Download Application.
The Developmental Disabilities Resource Board (DDRB)
The DDRB of St. Charles is a public tax entity that contracts (funds) agencies to provide supports and services for people with developmental disabilities. The DDRB does not directly provide any services but helps fund many of the programs DASA offers for athletes. Visit the DDRB Website to learn more.
DASA Scholarships & More
In addition to the resources listed on this page, there are also DASA scholarships and many fundraising events throughout the year that help our St. Louis and COMO athletes get the adaptive equipment they may need and to be able to participate in our programs. We are here to help, so if you do not see what you are looking for here, please do not hesitate to contact DASA today.
We would love to learn more about your fitness needs and how DASA can help, please do not hesitate to reach out!
