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SportsAbility Alliance

Chapter

SportsAbility Alliance
(Formerly Florida Disabled Outdoors Association)

The Florida Disabled Outdoors Association (FDOA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that is working to enrich lives through accessible inclusive recreation. Since its inception in 1990, the FDOA has promoted accessible recreation to persons with disabilities as well as the general public through its hands-on recreation programs, newsletters and community outreach and education.

 

FDOA has also assisted in compliance of the Americans with Disabilities Act and worked closely with many state, local and private organizations to develop, enhance and/or support recreation opportunities for the people with disabilities across Florida and beyond. We could not do any of it without our team and our partners. Choose an option below to learn more.

 

SportsAbility Alliance was founded in 1990 (originally as Florida Disabled Outdoors Association) by David Jones after a hunting accident left him with permanent paralysis on his left side. David took this “tragedy” as an opportunity to help people with disabilities (and all abilities) become more active, not only to improve their mobility, but also to improve their mental well-being. This has been his personal crusade ever since.

 

In 2002, SportsAbility Alliance hired Laurie LoRe-Gussak as their first Executive Director. Since then, the organization has grown and established itself as a leading not-for-profit in Florida and beyond.

 

In the early years, SportsAbility Alliance primarily provided outdoor adventures for people of all abilities. The organization is now providing and advocating for indoor, outdoor and even virtual and virtual reality activities. People of all abilities that participate in their events come from all over to experience activities such as boating, SCUBA, sky diving, art, rugby, archery, fishing, shooting sports, paddling and more. Hands-on training has helped people of all abilities become more comfortable and confident in being active. In 2021, the Florida Disabled Outdoors Association changed its name to SportsAbility Alliance, a name that better reflects what they now do.

Activities

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Canoeing

There is a lot to the sport – more than numbers on the scoreboard, the human side to this is a very powerful experience and I think all the para-athletes can appreciate that they are working to help each other. It brings countries and people together in a marvelous way.Jan Whitaker, President of Paralympic Sport…

Equestrian/Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is naturally therapeutic. Whether they have physical, cognitive, sensory or emotional disabilities, participants benefit from riding or working with horses. Nicole Budden, Founder and Director of Happy Trails Riding Center   All About Equestrian Getting Started Equine-assisted therapy, hippotherapy, therapeutic riding…These are all terms that have specific definitions, but they share a common…

Fishing

Flyfishing made a real big difference in my recovery and helped flip that switch from thinking about negative things to positive things. There is a lot of peace and a lot of connecting with nature involved with fishing. – David Folkerts, Chief Operations Officer of Project Healing Waters   Fishing 101 Photo Credits: Matt Romero,…

Kayaking

When you go skiing, you need to find a mountain and cold weather. You don’t need anything special to start kayaking. Kayaking is just down the road. -Joe Mornini, Executive Director of Team River Runner   Getting Started Looking to spend a quiet afternoon enjoying the outdoors and scenery?  Perhaps you’re more of a thrill…

Sailing

I have always been a competitive athlete and I enjoy that aspect of sailing. It’s not about who is the strongest, but who can think the best. It’s a three dimensional game of chess that is going on and the chess board is always changing. Water is never the same because of currents and the…

Scuba

Scuba is an acronym for Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. Although humans have been venturing underwater for more than 2000 years, it wasn’t until 1942 they were able to breathe underwater free from a surface supply of air. It was Jacques Cousteau, collaborating with French engineer Emile Gagnan, who developed the SCUBA. Getting Started To…

Swimming

Since the first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960, swimming has been one of the Games’ main sports.   The thrill of competition aside, swimming offers many benefits including strengthening the cardiovascular systems and the major muscle groups of both the upper and lower body. It also develops flexibility in the muscles and joints as…

Tennis/Wheelchair Tennis

The people you meet through tennis are friendly, happy, optimistic and outgoing, They just want to have a good time and want others to have a good time. – Steve Kappes, Director of the San Diego Wounded Warrior Tennis Program and Director of Military Outreach for the San Diego District Tennis Association   All About…

Water Skiing

Water Skiing 101 Ride the Wake! There is nothing like spending a warm summer day by the water. But water-skiers will tell you that even better is a day spent water skiing along on the surface of the water with the wind in their hair. Don’t think because you have a disability that you can’t…

Archery

Archery is a versatile activity. It is something that can be done for fun, for hunting, or for competition. “Target shooting wasn’t a thing for me,” said US Para Archery Head Coach Jonathan Clemins. “But I realized I enjoyed shooting my bow as much as I enjoyed hunting.” In addition, archery can be a year-round…

Baseball

Cycling

Rain, sleet, snow, or hail … it seems that no matter the weather, you can always see a cyclist biking for pleasure, on an errand, or keeping fit. The love of bike riding is rapidly growing across nearly every demographic. Cycling has always been a great way to enjoy the outdoors, socialize with fellow bikers,…

Hiking

Take a Hike! Outdoor Adventure Awaits Everyone is concerned with fitness these days. Many people are also concerned with watching their personal budget, too. So what activity offers fun and fitness as well as being easy on the wallet? The answer is hiking, and almost everybody can do it, whether it’s simply utilizing community park…

Kickball

Sit Volleyball

Becoming Familiar with Sitting Volleyball See You On The Floor! Looking for a sport that will give you a cardio workout, challenge your strategic thinking, and enable you to be on a team, all while just having fun? Then sitting volleyball may be perfect for you. Like many adaptive sports, sitting volleyball can be played…

Fitness/Cross Training

SportsAbility Alliance (formerly Florida Disabled Outdoors Association) logo

CONTACTS

3035 Eliza Road Tallahassee FL 32308

LOCATION

3035 Eliza Road Tallahassee FL 32308

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