News

Blind Soccer Programs Popping Up Across U.S.

By: Muhammad Waheed, USABA Member and Contributor Blind Soccer, or five-a-side football, is a popular sport around the world. Similar to futsal, each team has four players who are blindfolded with goalies who can be sighted. Teams have three guides while playing. There are side boards along the perimeter of the field that keep the ball in play and maintain flow for the game. Learn the rules of blind soccer United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) noticed a lack of teams and blind soccer players in the U.S. and is motivated to change that. Earlier this year, USABA hosted… Read More

Bill Kellick Named as USABA Marketing and Public Relations Manager

(January 17, 2019) The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) is pleased to announce the hiring of veteran Olympic communications professional Bill Kellick as its Marketing and Public Relations Manager. In this role, Kellick will manage all aspects of the organization’s marketing and communications plans. Kellick comes to USABA having spent the past 22 years in various communications roles with Olympic National Governing Bodies. As Director of Communications with USA Cycling, Kellick oversaw a five-person communications department that grew the brand of USA Cycling as well as the awareness of the sport of cycling in America. He has… Read More

National Champions Crowned at 2018 USABA Marathon Nationals

Athletes from across the U.S. – and around the world – traveled to Sacramento in early December for the 2018 USABA Marathon National Championships. Nearly 50 runners and more than 60 guides, including three Paralympians and 11 military veterans, joined USABA for the 10th anniversary of the event. Chaz Davis (Englewood, Colo.) and Jessica Loomer (Mesa, Ariz.) earned national titles and Nicholas DeWalque (Brussels, Belgium) and Juli Brandvold (Great Falls, Mont.) were honored with Richard Hunter Excellence in Running Awards. 2018 Marathon National Championships - Full ResultsDownload In addition to the race on Sunday, runners and guides enjoyed multiple gatherings… Read More

More Than 100 Athletes to Participate in 2018 USABA Marathon Nationals

Since 2008, U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) has partnered with Sacramento Running Association to make the California International Marathon (CIM) inclusive for runners with visual impairments. This year, the group of more than 100 blind runners and guides includes military veterans, local runners, international runners and Paralympic athletes. It’s a weekend affair for this group of runners and guides with multiple community meals and gatherings where they’re able to mingle and get to know one another and culminates with an awards ceremony Sunday afternoon. USABA Sports Club and partner Sacramento Society for the Blind will host a dinner for… Read More

Aira sponsors USABA Marathon National Championships

Aira technology brings enriched experience to USABA Marathon National Championships with sponsorship. By: Stephanie Ross, USABA Contributor For years, technology has made the world more accessible. From accessible technology and access tools like screen readers, cell phone apps, and scanners, we’ve seen technology that have forever changed the day-to-day tasks for the blind and visually impaired. One of the most recently developed technologies is Aira. Aira, a service that connects blind and visually impaired people to highly-trained, remote agents, is available through a smartphone app or through an optional pair of Horizon Smart Glasses. Visually impaired runner Erich Manser ran… Read More