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Description
  • DAAA was formed in 1985 to develop, promote and provide quality amateur level athletic opportunities for dwarf athletes in the United States. Our mission is "To encourage people with dwarfism to participate in sports regardless of their level of skills". DAAA is dedicated to serving the estimated quarter million Americans who are dwarfs (5 feet or less adult height) as a result of chondrodysplasia or related causes.




Notes

  • DAAA provides that context: Where sports for dwarf athletes are rewarding, where each athlete's potential is taken seriously, and where each athlete has a realistic opportunity, through hard work and dedicated training, to be the best! The dream of honoring America in international competition should be as real for a dwarf athlete as it is for any other in the country.

  • Sports: DAAA athletes compete in the following events: Athletics (Track & Field), Basketball, Boccia, Power lifting, Swimming, Skiing (Alpine), Table Tennis, Volleyball, Badminton, and Soccer, and Equestrian events.

    Clinics, developmental events, and formal competitions are offered at local, regional and national levels. For the National Dwarf Games, athletes compete under age, gender, and functional ability classifications.

  • Youth Sports: Youth events (ages 7 - 15) emphasize achieving "personal best". Athletes aged 13 – 15 are classified as to functional ability. For children six and under, DAAA offers special "Futures Team" non-competitive sports programs where everyone is a "Winner".

  • International Sports: Outstanding athletes, selected through DAAA competitions, are invited to compete at the World Championship level, and if they meet the qualifying standards, are invited to represent the USA at the Paralympic level. In 1993 DAAA hosted the first World Dwarf Games in Chicago, Illinois, where dwarf athletes from all over the world competed. From this gathering an International Dwarf Athletic Federation (IDAF) was formed. The 2nd World Dwarf Games took place in Peterborough, England in July 1997, and the 3rd in Toronto, Canada in 2001. DAAA and IDAF continue to support the organization and development of emerging Dwarf Athletic Associations in other countries.

  • Affiliations: United States Olympic Committee, America's Athletes with Disabilities, United States Disabled Sports Team, International Dwarf Athletic Federation, Little People of America, Inc., and the Billy Barty Foundation, Inc.