Local schools offer sports for disabled students

The U.S. Department of Education recently released guidelines pertaining to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which, among other obligations, requires schools to provide equal athletic opportunities for students with disabilities.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office released a report in June 2010 that shows access to sporting opportunities can give children better social, leadership and teamwork skills.

Under this law, schools should make reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities to have an equal chance.

The guidelines caution schools to avoid stereotyping. Though one student with a certain disability might have a low level of athletic ability, not all with the disability do.

Schools are required to modify sports so those with disabilities can participate unless the changes will fundamentally alter the methods of the sports. An example would be using a visual signal instead of a gun to start track meets for deaf participants.

Schools can choose to provide separate athletic opportunities for students with disabilities as long as it is necessary. If this opportunity is presented, it must also receive equal monetary backing like other sports. Some schools across the country are implementing wheelchair tennis and basketball.

J.R. Holmes, athletic director of Bloomington High School South, said the school has always strived to give every student an equal opportunity. He also said they offer classes for students with disabilities, taught by Larry Williams, the boy’s cross country and track and field coach.

Williams said the class has been around for about 15 years. He has taught it for about eight to 10 years. He said the school strives to put students in the least restrictive class possible. The adapted physical education class usually has between six and 12 students.

Some students with disabilities aren’t on a four-year graduation track, so they can stay in the program until they are 21. Williams said Bloomington South helps students make the transition into the real world. The school helps these students with all skills, including making friends and learning how to navigate the community.  

In these physical education classes, students swim a few times a week, as well as stretching, walking and jogging.  Williams said there was once a student who was on a four-year graduation track but had a physical disability because he had strokes when he was younger. They helped him to get more one-on-one education.

As a coach, Williams said some changes have been made during the years. They haven’t cut anyone from their cross country and track and field teams, so he said they modify what they can so all students can participate.

“We’ve had a range of students on our teams,” he said.

While Williams said the school has never had a deaf student on either of these teams, some students have had visual or directional disabilities.

“It’s a great opportunity for kids with disabilities,” he said.