The American Wheelchair Bowling Association (AWBA) is a non-profit organization, composed of wheelchair bowlers, dedicated to encouraging, developing, and regulating wheelchair bowling and wheelchair bowling leagues. The A.W.B.A. serves wheelchair bowling just as the American Bowling Congress (ABC) and the Women's International Bowling Congress (WIBC) serves able-bodied bowlers. The A.W.B.A. does not break up existing leagues and organizations, but serves to strengthen clubs and leagues that are already formed. We help independent bowlers to start new leagues. It strives to help all wheelchair bowlers on any problem that confronts them. It is estimated a quarter of a million Americans are classified as a paraplegics, quadriplegics, or amputees. Annually, about 10,000 more are so classified. Over 80% are men. The majority are between 18 and 25 years of age. Most of their disabilities are the result of wartime military service, automobile, motorcycle, and industrial accidents, and illnesses such as cerebal palsy, multiple sclerosis, polio and diabetes.