Creating Equal Opportunities for Children and Youth with Disabilities to Participate in Physical Education and Extracurricular Activities

Conclusion

The purpose of this document is to disseminate information on improving opportunities for children and youth to access PE and athletics. This document is the Department's initial response to GAO's recommendation, referring the reader to sources of additional information regarding the inclusion of children and youth with disabilities in PE and athletic extracurricular activities. Research and professional opinion support the suggestions for improving opportunities for children and youth with disabilities to participate in PE and athletic activity by addressing common barriers to increase access and participation.

States and school districts can increase opportunities for participation by reducing or eliminating common barriers to participation. The Appendices that follow provide references, examples and resources for increasing equal opportunities for children and youth with disabilities to participate in PE and athletics. The example from Maryland in Appendix B describes the only current state legislation addressing equal opportunity to access PE and athletics. The resources in Appendix C include projects and collaborative efforts that address physical activity among people with disabilities. Links to Department-funded projects preparing adapted physical education personnel are also provided in Appendix C.