Mesa and Tempe have long-established programs aimed at helping disabled young people participate in sports activities.

The two East Valley cities work through Arizona Disabled Sports, which serves about 1,500 disabled young people a year in various sports activities.

In Arizona, 13% of the population has a disability. Arizona Disabled Sports serves approximately 1,500 individuals with disabilities every year. This program is partnered with cities and organizations throughout Arizona, including Tempe and Mesa.

Arizona Disabled Sports is a nonprofit organization that cooperates with the Mesa Public Schools and the city of Mesa Parks, Recreation, and Commercial Facilities to provide sports and recreation programs year-round to individuals with disabilities of all ages. Participation fees vary between $22 and $40 per sports program.

These programs serve individuals with physical and mental disabilities, such as autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy.

Nina Bernardo, the city of Mesa’s adaptive recreation coordinator, said in an interview that the mission behind their program is to let no one sit on the sidelines. The program does adaptive sports, special interest classes, fashion shows, art, and a social program.

“We serve individuals with developmental disabilities, ages 8 and up. They could become athletes on one of our teams at 8 and compete in the Special Olympics. We are one of the largest delegates in Arizona for the Special Olympics.” said Bernardo.

Bernardo said the activities help children gain independence and social skills, “making them valuable members of their community, rightfully so.”

Currently, the city of Mesa offers programs addressing developmental disabilities, while its partner, Arizona Disabled Sports, provides activities for individuals with physical challenges.

Kaitlin Rodgers commended Arizona Disabled Sports for pushing her nonverbal son Ethan to new limits. Ethan has been skiing with ADS for nine years and loves it every single year.

“This program is probably one of the greatest programs we as a family have ever encountered. It is what keeps us coming back every year, and I know that they truly care and love my son. He just wants to be a typical 18-year-old, and through ADS, he is allowed to be,” said Rodgers in an interview.

Lauren Powell started working for the city of Mesa Adaptive Recreation program three years ago, in 2021, as a recreation assistant for their summer Camp Fiesta She is still a recreation assistant but has been more involved in sports programs, including soccer, basketball, golf and swimming.

“My favorite thing about Camp Fiesta is the talent show at the end of the program because participants get to show off their skills in fun and support. I have pride in the athletes I get to work with. I am their coach and friend. It is important to continue advocating and advancing the possibilities for individuals with disabilities to experience parks and recreation,” said Powell.

The city of Tempe also provides sports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“We are the first city to take on adaptive skateboarding, a program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Samantha Mason, recreation coordinator for the city of Tempe.

Mason shares that they now have an athlete who will independently skate and is learning how to do tricks. He has incredibly broken out of this shell of being scared of skateboarding.

“Focus on their abilities instead of disabilities. There is no reason why we need to exclude them. We need to focus on inclusion,” said Mason.

Kiera Seapy is a student at the Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School of Communications and Mass Communication.