Disabled Sports USA to Host 800 at the Nation's Largest Winter Sports Festival for Youth and Adults with Disabilities


ROCKVILLE, MD., Nov. 28, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Disabled Sports USA (DSUSA) will host the 27th annual The Hartford Ski Spectacular Dec. 1-7 at Beaver Run Resort and Breckenridge Ski Resort, Breckenridge, Colo. The week-long event, sponsored by The Hartford, a founding partner of U.S. Paralympics, is the nation's largest winter sports festival for individuals with physical disabilities. More than 800 participants from 42 states and four countries, ranging in ability from first-time skiers to members of the U.S. Paralympic Alpine Skiing National Team, will come together. Also attending will be more than 100 wounded warriors, Boston Marathon survivors, Paralympic athletes, young Paralympic hopefuls and wounded military from Great Britain.

"We are again thrilled to partner with The Hartford with the support of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other generous supporters to offer this premier event and kickoff the winter season," says Kirk Bauer, JD, executive director of DSUSA. "The Hartford Ski Spectacular is an ideal event for individuals with disabilities to get world-class instruction in skiing and snowboarding."

"Learn to" programs in alpine and Nordic skiing, biathlon, sled hockey, wheelchair curling and snowboarding will be offered. The ski instructor academy endorsed by Professional Ski Instructors of America - American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI) offers training for instructors in the latest and safest adaptive ski and snowboard techniques for skiers with disabilities. The Hartford Ski Spectacular also strengthens and expands adaptive snow sports programs in communities throughout the U.S. through training and education programs for staff and volunteers at DSUSA chapters.

"The Hartford is proud to sponsor this life-changing program that has launched the athletic careers of U.S. Paralympic champions and supported wounded warriors," says Mike Concannon, executive vice president of The Hartford's Group Benefits business. "We are inspired by The Hartford Ski Spectacular participants who demonstrate courage, strength and determination as they achieve success."

The Hartford Ski Spectacular's Presenting Sponsor is the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for disabled Veterans and disabled Members of the Armed Forces program provides grant funding to organizations to increase, expand and enhance the quantity and quality of adaptive sport activities available for disabled Veterans and members of the Armed Forces have to participate in physical activity within their home communities, as well as more advanced Paralympic and adaptive sport programs at the regional and national levels.

The Department of Veterans Affairs, the Grand Junction VA Medical Center and the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic provide essential equipment and technical support to The Hartford Ski Spectacular. For more information on VA Adaptive Sports programs visit www.va.gov/adaptivesports

The event is also sponsored by Wash Depot; Veritas; Bob Woodruff Foundation; Oshkosh Defense; Team Semper Fi; Tee it up for the Troops; DAV Charitable Service Trust; Fluor; Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center and Breckenridge Ski Resort.

Partnering organizations include: Disabled American Veterans, Maggie George Foundation, Professional Ski Instructors of America- American Association of Snowboard Instructors National Adaptive Academy (PSIAAASI), Vail Adaptive Sports, U.S. Paralympics, U.S. Paralympic Snowboarding, Bern Helmets, USA Curling, Colorado Adaptive Sports Foundation and Breck Sports. DSUSA chapters supporting the event include: Host chapter Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center and chapters Adaptive Adventures, Adaptive Sports Center, Maine Adaptive Sports, National Ability Center, New England Disabled Sports, National Sports Center for the Disabled and Waterville Valley Adaptive Sports.

Follow the action at The Hartford Ski Spectacular (#skispec) on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Look for @DisabledSportUS on Twitter and Disabled Sports USA on Instagram and Facebook, as well as @TheHartford on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About Disabled Sports USA

Founded in 1967, Disabled Sports USA is a national charitable organization that provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence, and fitness through participation in sports. What began as a program to serve Vietnam veterans has since grown into one of the nation's largest multi-sport, multi-disability organizations, annually serving more than 60,000 wounded warriors, youth, and adults with disabilities. A member of the U.S. Olympic Committee Multi-Sport Organization Council, Disabled Sports USA offers programs in more than 40 summer and winter sports through its nationwide network of more than 100 community-based chapters. For more information, visit www.disabledsportsusa.org.

About The Hartford

With more than 200 years of expertise, The Hartford (NYSE:HIG) is a leader in property and casualty insurance, group benefits and mutual funds. The company is widely recognized for its service excellence, sustainability practices, trust and integrity. More information on the company and its financial performance is available at www.thehartford.com. Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheHartford. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheHartford

Media Contact:
Dave Simonson
301-217-9837
dsimonson@dsusa.org

A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=29365

CONTACT:Media Contact:				
         Dave Simonson
         301-217-9837
         dsimonson@dsusa.org
020_D2C1204