ASA is a nonprofit organization that utilizes the power of outdoor recreation to change the lives of individuals with disabilities. We rely heavily on our incredible community of volunteers, participants, and donors to make our programming possible. We hope that you'll decide to join us!
Volunteer Favorite's
1) Seeing that the participants are having a rewarding and positive experience.
2) The contagious positive energy that comes from the volunteers and staff.
3) The feeling of being genuinely helpful.
4) The feeling of camaraderie and community
Community Thoughts
"How grateful I am for an opportunity to experience a "sense of normalcy"...opportunties I would have never explored without you making the impossible possible."- Winter Participant
"Through sports we find freedom and self-esteem once lost. Your encouragement and belief that we can overcome and challenge is so important." - Summer Participant
"We are blessed to have had our son be a part of ASA for the last few years and know it will be an experience he will carry with him for life!" - Mother of a Participant
"Thank You for making my dream come true"- Scholarship recipient
" I don't think anyone without a disability can fully appreciate what it means to have part of your life back that you thought you would never see again! Thanks Adaptive!". - Scholarship recipient
"At Adaptive we spend time time with people who have some type of disability and help them with outdoor activities that may present additional challenges to those others face. We communicate, problem solve and “adapt”. In the process we often grow in confidence, ability and esteem. As a volunteer this is experienced first hand and along with the participants we serve."- Volunteer Board Member
"Since getting involved with ASA I've gotten interested in other adaptive winter sports. I started playing sled hockey too and getting a lot more involved in other kinds of adaptive sports. It was definitely the beginning of a much more active lifestyle." -Winter Participant
The mission of the Adaptive Sports Association (ASA) is to provide outdoor sport and recreational experiences for people with disabilities. These activities are provided regardless of individual financial limitations in an atmosphere for learning and enhancing self-esteem.
Dave Spencer co-founded the winter program in 1983 after losing his leg to cancer. He moved to Durango to work as a traditional ski instructor at Purgatory Resort. His vision for an adaptive sports organization began when a woman, newly amputated from a water skiing accident, was inspired by his determination on the slopes and asked him to teach her. That moment revealed to Dave how snow skiing and outdoor recreation could empower individuals with disabilities, challenge their self-perceptions, and boost both physical and mental health. Though Dave passed away from cancer in 1986 at just 26, his legacy lives on through ASA.
Originally a winter-only program, ASA became a year-round adaptive sports organization in 1997 with the launch of its summer programming. Thanks to strong community support, dedicated volunteers, and generous partners, ASA has grown into one of the nation’s most respected adaptive sports programs.
Today, ASA remains the only year-round adaptive sports provider in the Four Corners region. Other local options are limited to two small therapeutic riding programs and Special Olympics, which focus on cognitive disabilities and team sports. With no overlap in services and the nearest comparable program over two hours away in Telluride, ASA continues to meet a vital and unique need.
Organization name
Adaptive Sports Association
other names
ASA
1983
Tax id (EIN)
94-2938093
Category
Recreation & Sports
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
463 Turner Drive #105Headquarters
463 Turner Drive #105Mailing
PO BOX 1884La Plata County, CO, US