The International Games for the Disabled were held in June of 1984 at Mitchel Field in Long Island, New York. A year later, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Prevention, alongside polio fighter Susan Gordon Ryan, initiated a program in Monroe County to give physically challenged children and young adults the opportunity for an olympic style athletic competition in NYS; The Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged. CampSmile, the College at Brockport State University of New York, and Webster Lions Club now hosts the Games due to NYS cutting funding in 2010.

 

The Games are held annually in Brockport, NY and Long Island, NY with over 1,600 nationwide athletes.