The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA), in partnership with U.S. Handcycling (USHF), Disabled Sports USA (DSUSA) and U.S. Paralympics, is pleased to host this year’s second Development Camp for Riders with physical Disabilities at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO.

Camp will be held from September 12 through September 19, 2010. Participants will learn bike handling skills, safe riding techniques and road racing strategies.　 Instruction in track riding will also be provided.

Cyclists ages 16 and up who are in the following UCI (Union Cycliste International) sanctioned classifications are eligible for this camp: blind and visually impaired cyclists and their sighted pilots who ride tandem bikes, cyclists with lower mobility impairments who ride hand cycles, cyclists with cerebral palsy or head injury who use both standard bikes and tricycles, and cyclists with amputations who ride either single bikes or hand cycles.　 A special invitation is extended to disabled veterans and disabled members of the United States Armed Forces who sustained physical disabilities as a result of service in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.

Additional financial support for injured service men and women is available through the U.S. Paralympics Military Sports Program.　 "Through sports, the rehabilitation process is accelerated for our disabled veterans and disabled members of the armed services", says Rich Cardillo, USABA’s Military Sports Program Coordinator.　 "This is an outstanding opportunity for cyclists who want to gain cycling knowledge and experience, and learn to race competitively."

Camp staff will include certified cycling coaches, a cycling mechanic and a camp coordinator. Several Paralympic cyclists will join rides and speak with attendees to share their knowledge and experience.

Riders attending camp will be on their bikes twice per day participating in skill drills, practicing safe riding techniques, competing in race simulations and attending lectures. Past participant Scott Gadberry (Los Angeles, Calif.) said, "Before the camp I was just riding around Los Angeles without a purpose and because of the outstanding coaches and program, I am closer to attaining my goal of competing at a national level and on to an international level."

Riders are asked to bring their own bikes and gear to the camp.　 Tandem riders are encouraged to bring their own pilots, but if needed, USABA will assist in finding pilots for visually impaired applicants.

The Application deadline for the September camp is Friday, August 6, 2010. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible as space is limited. Additional camps in 2011 are tentatively scheduled for January (Alabama), April (Southern California) and June (Colorado).

For more information or to request an application, contact Pam Fernandes at pamala@quikus.com or call (781) 449-9563 (EST).　 Information about the camp and an application can also be downloaded from the USABA web site at http://www.usaba.org

The United States Association of Blind Athletes enhances the lives of blind and visually impaired people by providing the opportunity for participation in sports and physical activity.　Additional funding to the camp for military applicants is available through USABA’s Mission Vision program.

United States Handcycling Federation, Inc. is a non-profit corporation designed to create integrated cycling opportunities for wheelchair users and athletes with lower-mobility impairments: http://www.ushf.org

Additional funding to the camp for military applicants is available through a grant from Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Disabled Sports USA provides the opportunity for individuals with disabilities to gain confidence and dignity through participation in sports, recreation and related educational programs. Additional funding to camp is available for military applicants through The Wounded Warriors Project. http://www.dsusa.org

U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is dedicated to becoming the world leader in the Paralympic sports movement and promoting excellence in the lives of people with physical disabilities. http:// usparalympics .org