NEHSA is a group of people who pool their knowledge, skills and courage to participate in sports activities. Skiing remains the central sport because of its amazing adaptability to many types of disabilities.

NEHSA Goals — to sponsor and deliver outdoor recreational activities in a social atmosphere — Make it Fun!

New England Handicapped Sports Association (NEHSA) is a charitable organization [501(c) 3] located at Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury, New Hampshire. Founded in 1972 as a weekend alpine ski program for people with physical disabilities, it serves those who want to enjoy active and independent lives through participation in sports. In the past 40 years it has grown to include a wide variety of physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities. NEHSA also takes pride in welcoming our disabled Veterans home, whether it is for therapeutic reasons or for rest and relaxation. In addition to adaptive skiing, both stand-up skiing and sit skiing, NEHSA also provides services for adaptive snowboarding, cross-country skiing, kayaking, rowing, tubing and water skiing. The services for these sports include access to specialized adaptive equipment, access to highly skilled coaches, and individual instruction. Through these programs, NEHSA enables its clients to gain a sense of independence, a positive attitude, access to social opportunities, and personal growth through the challenges that sport and recreation present.

Anyone Can Learn to Ski/Snowboard — NEHSA offers adaptive alpine and cross-country ski and snowboard lessons to people of all ages and all disabilities. At Mount Sunapee Resort, where our home base and winter program reside, skiers participate in either a stand up or sit-down program, some people try both. Among our stand-up skiers are amputees, persons who have recovered from polio or strokes, skiers with cerebral palsy, blind skiers, deaf skiers, and persons with developmental disabilities. Participants in our sit-down program may include persons with spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, paraplegia and quadriplegia. Cross-country lessons are offered by NEHSA instructors at Eastman Cross-Country Center in Grantham NH.

Anyone Can Kayak/Paddle/Row – NEHSA’S summer program offers  the opportunity for people living with a disability to develop new skills, build physical strength, and enjoy the beautiful summer weather with family and friends.  Lessons are offered to all ages and all disabilities from June through September at Lake Sunapee State Beach.

No experience is necessary and NEHSA provides all the necessary equipment. The staff of summer volunteers train intensively all year to insure students’ safety and fun on the water. There are a number of instructors certified through the American Canoe Association (ACA) and the American Rowing Association. NEHSA partners with the Lake Sunapee Rowing Club to offer adaptive rowing opportunities.