Desert Ability Center

Desert Ability Center's mission is to improve the quality of life for people living with disabilities through recreational rehabilitation that increases their inclusion, reduces isolation and improves and sustains their health. Desert Ability Center provides opportunities for us to show those with disabilities what they are made of, give them their lives back, and change the perception of the community as to the abilities of this overlooked and underserved population.

Desert Ability Center is, without question, the leading source for the development of programs and services for those who live with a physical disability including spinal cord injuries, amputations, strokes, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological disorders. DAC has introduced thousands of people with disabilities, their family members, and local volunteers to unique adaptive sports opportunities that have changed the lives of all who have participated. As a result of DAC's efforts other nonprofits and recreation centers in the Coachella Valley now offer adaptive sports programs where none had existed before.

DAC has introduced a wide array of adaptive sports over the years including paracycling, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair badminton. The DAC annual Adaptive Sports Festival spotlighted 35 adaptive sports and recreational activities including goal ball and beep baseball (sports for those who are blind), WCMX (wheelchair skateboarding), rock climbing, rowing, javelin, golf, sit volleyball, power soccer (for severely disabled), scuba diving (veterans program), and coming in 2023 ice sled hockey. To accommodate the impact of COVID-19, DAC created an online virtual strength and endurance training program.

Due to the high cost of adaptive sports equipment, which most families cannot afford, DAC members have free access to adaptive sports equipment that meets their specific needs and creates the greatest level of engagement for each player.

DAC is most proud of our outreach to the community to engage our youth as volunteers so that they can experience playing alongside their peers with disabilities. We also partner with the local colleges to provide kinesiology students the opportunity to earn clinical hours by participating in our programs.

Because of the lack of adaptive sports coaches in the Coachella Valley DAC has been able to recruit Paralympians and adaptive sports coaches to support our efforts in the Coachella Valley. These coaches come from all over Southern California and serve, not just as coaches in their sport but as role models for our youth and adults with disabilities.

Testimonials

"I love the support and teamwork I receive. Because of my visual impairment the coach and other athletes take the time to help me through all of the moves and proper way to target certain muscles. The support is terrific as we challenge each other. Thank you for letting me share and enjoy. Love, live and learn every day. (Will R., Blind Amputee, Online Strength Training Course)

The virtual classes have definitely helped me become stronger. Because of this, my quality of life and happiness have improved. The virtual classes help me to be accountable and give me something to look forward to. (Yvonne O., Amputee)

As I become older, I realize the importance of exercising 3 to 5 times a week for general physical and mental health. The virtual exercise classes hosted by Desert Ability Center allow me to accomplish this weekly goal easily with two training sessions. In addition to providing me the opportunity to exercise, I get a chance to exercise with a group in a team atmosphere. It can be boring and not very motivating to work out by myself but working out as a team is definitely more entertaining and interactive as I have discussions with the other team members. The next key item that this class provides is accountability. I basically make sure that I adhere to my commitment to exercising at least two times a week and I want to make sure the other team members do the same. (L.eon B., Spinal Cord Inured, DACStrength Training Coach)

As the mother of a double amputee son, I am so thankful to Desert Ability Center for all the opportunities they have provided him over the years. He has played wheelchair tennis and wheelchair basketball. He was awarded a handcycle and rode 25 miles in the Tour de Palm Springs along with other riders with disabilities through DAC. He competed in karate and climbed mountains in Joshua Tree. Most importantly, these opportunities helped him mature and gain confidence. (Diana M.)