Northwest Assn. for Blind Athletes

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News Release

PRESS RELEASE + MEDIA INVITE: NORTHWEST ASSOCIATION FOR BLIND ATHLETES HOSTS SEMIANNUAL OREGON YOUTH PARALYMPIC EXPERIENCE (Photo) - 09/24/25

Hello, 

 

I wanted to share a unique local story opportunity happening in Salem this Friday, September 26. Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) will host its semiannual Oregon Youth Paralympic Experience at the Oregon School for the Deaf. From 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., roughly 30 students who are blind or have low vision will participate in Paralympic sports, including goalball and tandem biking. Full details are included in the press release below. Supporting imagery and videos from last year’s event are available for download here: https://bit.ly/4pAlKTf​ 

 

Media are invited to attend and capture video, photos, and interviews with Stacey Gibbins, NWABA VP of Programs and Services, as well as participating students and volunteers.

 

Please let me know if you're interested in joining us on Friday to cover the event, and I will coordinate on-site access (this is closed to the public) and arrange interviews.

 

~Haley

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

NORTHWEST ASSOCIATION FOR BLIND ATHLETES HOSTS SEMIANNUAL OREGON YOUTH PARALYMPIC EXPERIENCE IN SALEM

 

VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON (September 24, 2025) — This Friday, September 26, Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) will host its semiannual Oregon Youth Paralympic Experience at the Oregon School for the Deaf in Salem. From 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., approximately 30 students who are blind or have low vision—ranging from kindergarten through high school—will take part in Paralympic sports, including goalball and tandem biking.

 

This one-day event allows youth who are blind or visually impaired to learn fundamental skills in accessible sports while gaining confidence, independence, and connections with peers. Since its return in 2022 following a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the experience has served more than 250 children and teens from across the state with support from local volunteers and NWABA staff. Together, the experience has created a safe, supportive environment where participants can explore sports and discover new strengths.

 

“This is more than just an introduction to accessible sports—it’s a life-changing opportunity that empowers kids with visual impairment to build confidence, discover their potential, and form lasting friendships,” said Billy Henry, NWABA Founder and CEO. “Every activity opens doors to independence, belonging, and joy, while advancing NWABA’s vision that every individual with a visual impairment has the opportunities, support, and community they need to thrive in all aspects of life.”

 

This year’s event will continue that tradition on a closed campus not open to the public, for a safe and focused experience for attendees.

 

NWABA looks forward to continuing to expand opportunities for blind and visually impaired youth across the Northwest and to welcoming even more students to next year’s event.

 

For more information about NWABA and its programs, visit nwaba.org.

 

##

 

About NWABA

The mission of Northwest Association for Blind Athletes is to provide life-changing opportunities through sports and physical activity to individuals who are blind and visually impaired. Today, NWABA is a rapidly expanding 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides more than 5,000 program and service interactions to children, youth, adults, and military veterans with visual impairments through tailored programming which improves self-confidence and self-esteem, promotes independence, creates an inclusive community of supporters, and builds the skills necessary to succeed in all areas of life including school and employment.

Attached Media Files: NWABA YouTube Launch, NWABA YouTube Press Release,

PRESS RELEASE + MEDIA INVITE: NORTHWEST ASSOCIATION FOR BLIND ATHLETES HOSTS SEMIANNUAL OREGON YOUTH PARALYMPIC EXPERIENCE (Photo) - 09/24/25

Hello, 

 

I wanted to share a unique local story opportunity happening in Salem this Friday, September 26. Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) will host its semiannual Oregon Youth Paralympic Experience at the Oregon School for the Deaf. From 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., roughly 30 students who are blind or have low vision will participate in Paralympic sports, including goalball and tandem biking. Full details are included in the press release below. Supporting imagery and videos from last year’s event are available for download here: https://bit.ly/4pAlKTf​ 

 

Media are invited to attend and capture video, photos, and interviews with Stacey Gibbins, NWABA VP of Programs and Services, as well as participating students and volunteers.

 

Please let me know if you're interested in joining us on Friday to cover the event, and I will coordinate on-site access (this is closed to the public) and arrange interviews.

 

~Haley

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

NORTHWEST ASSOCIATION FOR BLIND ATHLETES HOSTS SEMIANNUAL OREGON YOUTH PARALYMPIC EXPERIENCE IN SALEM

 

VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON (September 24, 2025) — This Friday, September 26, Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) will host its semiannual Oregon Youth Paralympic Experience at the Oregon School for the Deaf in Salem. From 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., approximately 30 students who are blind or have low vision—ranging from kindergarten through high school—will take part in Paralympic sports, including goalball and tandem biking.

 

This one-day event allows youth who are blind or visually impaired to learn fundamental skills in accessible sports while gaining confidence, independence, and connections with peers. Since its return in 2022 following a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the experience has served more than 250 children and teens from across the state with support from local volunteers and NWABA staff. Together, the experience has created a safe, supportive environment where participants can explore sports and discover new strengths.

 

“This is more than just an introduction to accessible sports—it’s a life-changing opportunity that empowers kids with visual impairment to build confidence, discover their potential, and form lasting friendships,” said Billy Henry, NWABA Founder and CEO. “Every activity opens doors to independence, belonging, and joy, while advancing NWABA’s vision that every individual with a visual impairment has the opportunities, support, and community they need to thrive in all aspects of life.”

 

This year’s event will continue that tradition on a closed campus not open to the public, for a safe and focused experience for attendees.

 

NWABA looks forward to continuing to expand opportunities for blind and visually impaired youth across the Northwest and to welcoming even more students to next year’s event.

 

For more information about NWABA and its programs, visit nwaba.org.

 

##

 

About NWABA

The mission of Northwest Association for Blind Athletes is to provide life-changing opportunities through sports and physical activity to individuals who are blind and visually impaired. Today, NWABA is a rapidly expanding 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides more than 5,000 program and service interactions to children, youth, adults, and military veterans with visual impairments through tailored programming which improves self-confidence and self-esteem, promotes independence, creates an inclusive community of supporters, and builds the skills necessary to succeed in all areas of life including school and employment.

Attached Media Files: NWABA YouTube Launch, NWABA YouTube Press Release,