Our Mission
The Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes (MWABA) is a 501(c)(3) organization (EIN: 474118946) of blind athletes and their sighted peers who believe that recreational and competitive sports opportunities should be open to everyone, regardless of their ability to see. We hold programs for blind and visually impaired youth and adults from Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia to discover new sports or practice familiar ones in an open and welcoming environment. Our mission also includes teaching blind athletes the physical techniques and body movements that they may not have had a chance to learn through physical education classes. We also share the best way to teach athletic and kinesthetic skills to the blind and visually impaired population with educators in our area.
MWABA events are all about trying new things, meeting new friends, staying or becoming fit, and having fun! We support one another in achieving a fit and active lifestyle.
Please consider making a donation to support our community! Donate here!
Looking for other ways to support us? Sign up to volunteer, or if you’re part of another organization and want to propose a partnership, email us at mwaba.inc@gmail.com!
Members of the Board
Lori Pierce, President
Lori joined MWABA’s board in 2017. She has been president of MWABA for the last few years and co-leads MWABA’s goalball program. Lori enjoys running and other activities. She lives in Arlington with her fiancé and two dogs.
Tajuan Farmer, Vice President
Tajuan is a lifelong resident of Washington, D.C. He has been a member of the MWABA Board since at least 2017 and recently became vice president in 2023. He enjoys tandem cycling and has engaged in aqua spin on occasion. His continuing goal for the organization is to provide opportunities in a multitude of sports activities for a diverse population of persons with disabilities. Tajuan’s life motto is taken from his practice of yoga, “When you think you’ve reached your limit, stretch a little further.”
Kurt Sloop, Treasurer
Kurt is MWABA’s treasurer and co-leads our goalball program.
Qudsiya Naqui, Secretary
Qudsiya joined MWABA’s board in 2018. She helped to launch and co-leads MWABA’s hiking program. Qudsiya is an avid runner and tandem cyclist, and enjoys spending time in the mountains. She lives in Dupont Circle with her husband.
Shira Gordon
Shira became a tandem captain with MWABA in 2017 and became a board member in 2020. Shira helped organize MWABA’s first bike-camping trip in 2023. She enjoys leading bike rides and hikes, and training new captains and stokers. Shira lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with her husband.
Claire Posteraro
Claire joined the MWABA board in 2022. She works as an Orientation & Mobility Specialist for DC Public Schools and is passionate about increasing opportunities and exposure for blind and visually impaired youth to adapted sports. Claire runs MWABA’s beep kickball events and enjoys helping at goalball practices and tournaments. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband and very spoiled dog.
Chris George
Chris joined MWABA as a tandem bike captain in 2019 and joined the board in early 2023. Biking and bike touring are passions for Chris, and he was thrilled to help MWABA’s first bike-camping trip, initiated by Shira. Chris helps organize our tandem rides, occasionally helps with goalball and maintains our website. He lives in Northwest D.C. with his wife.
Kevin Andrews
Kevin joined MWABA’s board in September 2023. He is committed to expanding MWABA’s reach and participates in tabling events to raise awareness about our organization and encourage more athletes to join. Kevin is an avid hiker and tandem cyclist who finds solace in the great outdoors. Kevin calls Cathedral Heights his home.
Amanda Aswell
Amanda moved to the area and joined MWABA in 2022. She enjoys hiking, cycling and kayaking, but her real passion lies with goalball. She has helped with youth outreach events and loves to expose kids to the sport. Amanda lives in Vienna, Virginia, with her husband and daughter.