The American Association of Adapted Sports Programs (AAASP), The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) submit the following: “Addressing Best Practices in Education-Based Athletics for Students with Physical Disabilities Through Interscholastic Adapted Team Sports”
This best practices document is the result of over 20 plus years of practitioner experiences within the AAASP adaptedSPORTS® programs, a model program promoting fully integrated, compliant and school based
accessible athletic offerings in grades 1-12. The athletes served through these programs represent over forty plus varying physical disability types. Additional review and input include the contributions of teachers, school administrators, school board members, special education and school athletic personnel.
Among the professionals contributing to these practices are world-class Paralympic coaches and athletes, disability sport experts, therapeutic recreation specialists, physical and occupational therapists, researchers and collegiate educators responsible for imparting best practices to students and other professionals in education, sport administration, Physical Education and adapted Physical Education. An integral part of this educational initiative includes legal professionals, insurance experts, classroom and Itinerant teachers working with students with orthopedic impairments, as well as 504 coordinators. Traditional coaches, interscholastic athletic directors, game officials, state high school athletic association executives and state departments of education staff have also proven instrumental. All continue to play a vital role in helping our efforts to shape inclusive policies and programs for this underserved student population. Local school transportation departments have also provided input on some of the recommendations regarding the geographic placement of programs (within the recommended Needs Assessment).
We extend our sincere thanks to these contributors. Through our collective desire to serve those with disabilities, we have endeavored to enhance the efforts and outcomes of all.