Ann Cody

Ann Cody is Director of Partnerships and Public Policy with BlazeSports America in Washington, D.C.  Ann brings 25 years of experience in Paralympic sport to her position and has served as a policy advisor to numerous disability sport organizations, including the U.S. Olympic Committee, on its Paralympic initiatives.

Ann has led a number of advocacy initiatives to increase awareness of the importance of sport and physical activity for people with disabilities in Congress and Federal agencies.  As founder of the Alliance for Disability Sport and Recreation, Ann brought together representatives of ten organizations to advocate for and restore funding for the recreation program for people with disabilities at the Rehabilitation Services Administration. 

Ann has organized congressional briefings, Hill advocacy events, and secured federal legislation supporting research, funding and programs that improve access to sport and physical activity for people with disabilities.  One such piece of legislation directed the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research to conduct a study on the impact of adapted sports on employment and education outcomes for people with disabilities.

Internationally Ann has been a leading advocate for girls and women with disabilities in sport.  Through her leadership, the International Paralympic Committee established a policy on gender equity, Women in Sport Leadership Summits and the Women in Paralympic Sport Network with the purpose of expanding participation by girls and women with disabilities in sport.