US Handicapable Square Dance Association - Square Dancing in the Motor City in 2011

The first U.S. Handicapable Square Dance convention was held in 1988 in Chickasaw, Alabama (a suburb of Mobile). The Convention was started by Dean and Kitty Emery to bring Handicapable Square Dance Clubs together for a convention planned exclusively for the special dancers and their families.

The majority of our dancers consist of adults with developmental disabilities who range in age from adults to senior citizens. We also have clubs whose members dance in wheelchairs and do not have developmental disabilities. Anyone who enjoys square dancing and having a good time is welcome to our clubs and to our conventions! Friends, families, volunteers, and other interested people provide support and participate in our activities.

The Conventions are held every other year to allow our clubs sufficient time to raise funds to travel to the Conventions. The U.S.H. Convention is most commonly held on the fourth weekend of July (in even numbered years), except when we have to move the convention date in order to get facilities. Jerry and Pam Yerby helped establish the first Western Handicapable Convention in 2001 which meets in odd-number years.

Our Conventions are family affairs. Entire families come with their special dancers. Group homes and Arc groups furnish buses for their dancers. Some clubs have even flown from their home area. Everyone looks forward to the Convention as one of the highlights in their lives. We choose hotels that can accommodate our entire convention, including rooms and dance area. This makes it easier on our dancers and their caregivers. We also choose sites that will make outstanding vacations for all of the attendees.

We hope that you will attend a Handicapable Convention and have a great time with all of your friends, and feel joy in your heart for this beautiful time square dancing together!

Square Dancing in the Motor City in 2011

Having Fun in the Handicapable Hall at the 60th U.S. National Square Dance Convention

Everyone had a great time in Detroit for the 60th National Square Dance Convention!! Louis and Nancy Friedlander and their Committee pulled out all of the stops for a wonderful convention.

The Handicapable Hall was a hopping place to be! The dancers had a great imte dancing to great callers! They danced everything from line dances to a Virginia Reel. Ken Ritucci was kind enough to give each dancer a "Black Book" and the dancers had a wonderful time getting all of the callers' signatures. The callers were from all over the country as well as from England! Everyone enjoyed it when more people came to dance with us and share our enthusiam and love of square dancing!

The Hunterdon Stars and Mercer ArcAngels were asked to perform for the Opening Ceremonies of the convention. They opened the convention with an enthusiastic performance!

Detroit is the home of Henry Ford, as many of you know. At the Henry Ford Museum, many had the chance to see the Imancipation Proclamation! The lines were very long, but many took advantage of the historic chance to see a piece of history.

The 61st National Square Dance Convention is in Spokane, Washington! Keep checking our site to find out information about the Handicapable Hall in Spokane!

Written By: Michelle Mabie
Date Posted: 9/6/2011
Number of Views: 511

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