USA Deaf Sports Federation

Sports organizations for the Deaf, such as school teams and athletic programs, have been around since the late 1800's. With the Deaf community's growth and a desire for a move toward independence from hearing society, sports organizations of and by the Deaf were founded. Many Deaf individuals had a love for sports and competition, but few nearby teams or groups outside of residential schools were available. The options for Deaf athletes were these: play for a local hearing organization and brave the difficulties and criticism that arise from a lack of communication and respect, play in small Deaf groups or at Deaf institutions with little competition due to the limited number of participants, or get involved with a sports organization specifically fit for Deaf individuals' needs and desires. The founding of the American Athletic Association of the Deaf was an indirect result of the mass of Deaf individuals being drawn to Akron, Ohio during both World Wars because of the availability of work in the Goodyear and Firestone rubber factories. This rush for work formed an exceptionally large Deaf community in Akron with many clubs and groups. One of the Deaf clubs in Akron sponsored and hosted the very first annual National Basketball Tournament in 1945, thus beginning the American Athletic Union of the Deaf (AAUD), which was renamed the American Athletic Association of the Deaf, or the AAAD several years later, only to have the name changed again to the USA Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF) in 1997 to clarify that 'America' was referring to the USA. According to Jack Gannon, the AAAD was founded to regulate understood rules and standards in competition among the Deaf, provide opportunities for Deaf clubs' teams to compete against one another, encourage and facilitate socialization between athletes, their friends, and their families, to assist smaller, regional athletic groups, hold annual sports tournaments, and assure United States teams the chance to participate in international competition.

The American Athletic Union of the Deaf (currently the USADSF), kicked off its first tournament with a total of five basketball teams, but with the publication of the AAAD Bulletin and Deaf Sports Review, the establishment of the AAAD hall of fame in 1952, and the growing support of and affiliation with many other Deaf sports organizations like the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD), the USADSF has steadily expanded to an estimated membership of more than 25,000 athletes, coaches, sponsors, and volunteers from more than 2,000 member clubs (Gavron, 82). With a relatively small population of eligible people due to the requirements of a hearing loss of 55dB or greater in both ears, the presence of such a large number of participants is quite amazing. Through the USADSF's affiliation with the ICSD, it draws many members from the Deaflympics, some of the largest sports events in the world. The expansion from five simple basketball teams in Akron, Ohio to multiple teams participating in over 20 different sports in more than 70 countries around the globe shows the ability and desire of Deaf individuals to compete and form bonds with those who share their Deafness, regardless of their nationality.

The USA Deaf Sports Federation values the ability of Deaf people to live their lives and play their sports without the worry of discrimination, unfair advantages, or communication/cultural issues, so they make every effort to serve in and with the Deaf communities throughout America. Through publishing several Deaf sports magazines and newsletters like the USADSF Bulletin, the USADSF informs Deaf readers of upcoming events and what is going on locally or around the world in Deaf sports. Another important purpose of the USADSF, especially the Deaflympics, is the simple provision of a way for Deaf athletes to compete and have fun at a serious, yet equal-opportunity level. Since the USADSF is largely run by volunteers and funded in part by sponsors, it presents an opportunity for both Deaf and hearing communities, individuals, and organizations to show their support of Deaf athletes, coaches, and fans through their monetary and temporal contributions.

“Deaf sport is a microcosm of the Deaf community,” (Stewart, 2). The USA Deaf Sports Federation's original purpose was mainly to facilitate and regulate both international and intranational competition between Deaf athletes, resulting in many opportunities within and additions to the Deaf community. The USADSF's events cultivate an atmosphere of socialization among Deaf people. Bringing Deaf individuals together for socialization is one of the most prominent purposes for Deaf sports in general, since Deaf people are usually thinly spread throughout large geographical areas and tend to spend much of their time around hearing people who do not sign or share their cultural values. The USADSF encourages psychological health within the Deaf communities by presenting them with “...access to a social support system.” This support system is necessary for healthy personal development in that it helps maintain a sense of identification or belonging in a group and allows Deaf people to keep each other informed of Deaf-friendly people and organizations that they could be involved with such as job, school, and recreational opportunities. The sports organizations and affiliations of the USADSF have provided educational, leadership, and life skills training for their participants in that they provide opportunities for Deaf people to come together for a common activity and learn to work together toward a common goal.

I see the USA Deaf Sports Federation as a positive organization of the Deaf-World in that it provides such a vast array of opportunities to the Deaf that encourage physical, social, mental, educational, and communal growth. The move toward independence of Deaf people is always furthered when organizations founded, run, and enjoyed by the Deaf (not just for the Deaf) manage to flourish and grow for so many years. Jobs for the Deaf and hard of hearing are made available, and members of Deaf groups are added regularly due to the USADSF's presence. As an athlete who has been involved with many local and traveling sports teams, I encourage the development organizations that allow Deaf sports groups to be able to compete more easily than if they were to try to find enough Deaf participants within a small area on their own. The ability to play competitively and socialize with other Deaf members in a Deaf-friendly and conscious environment is an important part of Deaf culture and community. The accomplishments of the athletes and coaches of the USADSR show the fulfilling life that any Deaf individual has the ability to lead when given the opportunity.

Copyright Karen Getz 2007