HISTORY

BSO (originally PABA) was created in 1974 as the Philadelphia Blind Sports Club by Dr. Mae Davidow, a blind teacher at the Overbrook School for the Blind. She believed that blind students, who were leaving the schools for the blind due to mainstreaming, were not going to receive adequate physical education (PE), fitness, recreation, sports, and social activities. Dr. Mae’s prophecy generally has continued to be true and BSO continues her goal of educating the blind community and the public about the importance of sports and recreation. The fitness, health, sports, and recreational needs of blind and visually impaired are the same as their sighted peers and they deserve equal opportunities to learn and participate in such activities.