Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA) strives to ‘Let No One Sit on the Sidelines’ and operates under a mission to promote and support the optimal development and well-being of youth, adults and military veterans who have a physical or visual disability through the provision of inclusive recreation, fitness and competitive sports activities. GLASA offers opportunities for empowerment through education, leadership and training in collaboration with community-based organizations.
GLASA is still run by the same Executive Director, Cindy Housner, who founded the agency in 1999 in order to provide health and wellness programming to a segment of thepopulation that was not being served in traditional physical activity and health promotion programs. Started with less than a dozen participants, GLASA now serves over 1100 individuals in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin each year through direct programming. Over 3,000 youth and adults are also served each year through education and outreach initiatives. Educational clinics and elite level competitions bring in athletes, teams and families from around the country.
GLASA has demonstrated leadership on a local, regional and national level. GLASA disseminates best practices, serves on national advisory boards and supports systemic change as a recognized United States Olympic Committee- Gold Level Paralympic Sport Club. GLASA has received awards and designations from US Paralympics, Women’s Sports Foundation, and Great Nonprofits.
GLASA provides programming to individuals with physical and visual disabilities. Programming can be adapted to meet the needs of individuals who use manual or power wheelchairs, in addition to those with ambulatory disabilities. GLASA serves athletes who have disabilities such as:
Amputation Cerebral Palsy
Muscular Dystrophy Spinal Cord Injury
Spina Bifida Stroke
Visual Impairment
GLASA believes that health is a lifelong pursuit and offers programs for individuals ages 6-60+. Specialized programming is offered to injured military veterans. Additionally, programming is offered without regard to socioeconomic status. No one is ever turned away due to an inability to pay. Recreational and competitive programs are available; no prior experience is necessary to join a GLASA program.