Slide 1:
ADA Audio Conference Series
April 16, 2013
This session is scheduled to begin at 
2:00pm Eastern Time
Real-Time Captioning and the PowerPoint Presentation are available through the Webinar Platform.   Audio Connection is available through the webinar platform/ telephone or Mobile App.

Slide 2:
Listening to the Session
The audio for today’s webinar is being broadcast through your computer or via telephone for those that registered for that option.  If using your computer, please make sure your speakers are turned on or your headphones are plugged in.
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Slide 3:
Listening to the Webinar, continued
MOBILE Users (IPhone and IPad Only) 
Individuals may listen** to the session using the Blackboard Collaborate IPhone or Ipad App (Available Free from the Apple Store)

Slide 4:  
Captioning
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The caption screen can be accessed by choosing the cc icon in the Audio & Video panel.
Once selected you will have the option to resize the captioning window, change the font size and save the transcript.

Slide 5:
Technical Assistance
If you experience any technical difficulties during today’s session:
In webinar platform:  Send a private chat message to the host by double clicking “Great Lakes ADA” in the participant list. A tab titled “Great Lakes ADA” will appear in the chat panel.  Type your comment in the text box and “enter” (Keyboard - F6, Arrow up or down to locate “Great Lakes ADA” and select to send a message ); or By Email adaconferences@adagreatlakes.org ; or 
Call 877-232-1990 (V/TTY) 

Slide 6:
Submitting Questions
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If you are connected via a mobile device you may submit questions in the chat area within                                                                                  the App                                                                                                       
If you are listening by phone and not logged in to the webinar, you may ask questions by emailing them to adaconferences@adagreatlakes.org
Please note: This webinar is being recorded and can be accessed on the ADA Audio Conference Series website at www.ada-audio.org within 24 hours after the conclusion of the session.   The edited written transcript will be posted at this same site within 7 business days following the conclusion of the session.

Slide 7:
Customize Your View
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Slide 8:
Customize Your View continued
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Slide 9:
OCR Guidelines: Inclusive Athletics at School
April 16, 2013
Presenters
Terri Lakowski, Esq. - Active Policy Solutions
Tommie Storms, Bev Vaughn – AAASP
Eli Wolff – Institute for Human Centered Design

Slide 10:
I. Current State of Opportunities
The NCAA does not officially sanction any intercollegiate program, event or competition for individuals with disabilities 
Fewer than 15 colleges and universities offer adapted programs for students with disabilities 
The Paralympic Games had 1/3 of the level of participation of athletes with disabilities as did the Olympic Games of athletes without disabilities

Slide 11:
I. Current State of Opportunities
Less than 10 State High School Athletic Associations offer adapted programs for students with disabilities 
There are 1.5 million first through twelfth graders with physical impairments that are not included in athletic competitions. 

Slide 12:
Benefits of Inclusion in Sports
“The sport, recreation and play domain, far from being trivial, is essential for fully realizing the human rights promise.”   -Hubbard,2004

Slide 13:
II. Road to the Guidance
Image of Tatyana McFadden, Wheelchair Racer

Slide 14: 
Title IX 
“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, 
be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” -- United States Congress,1972

Slide 15:
Rehab Act 
“No other qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
-- United States Congress, 1973

Slide 16:
Title IX Regulations
Participation Opportunities
   	Effective accommodation of student interests and abilities  
2.	Athletic financial assistance 
    	Includes end of year high school scholarship awards as well as college athletic scholarships
3.	Equal treatment/benefits
   	All other program components -- the “Laundry List”

Slide 17:
Title IX’s Impact 
Female high school athletic participation has increased by 904% 
(From 1 in 27 girls to 1 in 2.5 girls) 
Female college athletic participation has increased by 456%

Slide 18:
II. Road to the Guidance
Fitness and Athletics Equity for Students with Disabilities Act 
-April, 2008 Maryland
Inclusive Fitness Coalition 
GAO Study 
-Department of Education 
-OSERS Resources 
-OCR Guidance 

Slide 19:
II. Road to the Guidance
GAO Study
First Government Study Focused on Physical Activity and Athletic Opportunities for Students With Disabilities
Scope of Study
What is known about PE opps, and how do schools provide them
What is known about extra-curr. athletic opps, and how do schools provide them
How does the DOE assist states in these areas
Analysis: federal survey data, review of regs, interviews with state district and school officials, parents, and disability assocs.
Major Finding
Students with disabilities benefit from the positive social and health benefits of participation in PA and Sports

Slide 20:
II. Road to the Guidance
GAO Study: Sports Findings
No reliable data exists that allows for an accurate comparison of participation rates
Accommodation levels vary, and most accommodations that do occur are through mainstream athletic programs not creation of adapted programs
District, local, and state officials generally lack info on how to provide athletic opps
Officials lack information and clarify on legal requirements
Additional barriers include lack of transportation, inaccessible facilities, lack of adapted equipment, budget constraints, and lack of trained coaches/personnel

Slide 21:
II. Road to Guidance
GAO Study: ED Findings
The OCR has not provided schools with guidance clarifying their obligations to provide students with disabilities with PE and athletic opportunities under Rehab Act.
The DOE has distributed very little funds or grants to support PE or athletic opportunities for students with disabilities.
Officials desired additional resources and guidance from DOE.

Slide 22:
II. Road to the Guidance
GAO Study: Recommendations
Recommendations:
DOE should clarify schools’ obligations under the Rehab Act to provide athletic opportunities for students with disabilities
DOE should provide resources and facilitate information sharing to assist state and schools in serving students with disabilities in PE and athletics

Slide 23:
II. Road to Guidance
GAO Study: Response
DOE Commitment to Congress (August 12, 2010)
Agrees to begin information gathering from Office of Special Ed and Rehab Services(OSERS) through Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
OCR will begin analysis of programmatic and legal issues to provide additional guidance on Section 504’s equal access to extracurricular activities.

Slide 24:
III. Legal Framework: Rehab Act 
“No other qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”  -- United States Congress, 1973

Slide 25:
III. Legal Framework:
Rehab Regs.
Mainstreaming required 
Schools must ensure participation of SWD to “maximum extent appropriate”
Provision of equal opportunity
Schools shall provide “to qualified handicapped students an equal opportunity for participation.”
Creation of adapted programs encouraged

Slide 26:
III. Legal Framework:
OCR Letter 
Clarifies when and how schools must include students with disabilities in mainstream athletic programs 
Defines what true equal treatment of student athletes with disabilities means 
Encourages and provides a road map for schools to create adapted programs for students with disabilities 

Slide 27:
III. Legal Framework:
Reasonable Accommodation
Fundamental alterations exist where a requested accommodation alters an essential aspect of the game or creates a competitive advantage; 
Individualized assessments must be made to determine whether the specific modification for a particular athlete’s disability creates a fundamental alteration; and 
Some administrative burdens are acceptable to incur in making this determination.

Slide 28:
Next Steps: Challenges
Defining policies for individualized assessment 
Creation of model adapted programs 
Education and Awareness building

Slide 29:
Current State of Post Secondary 
Opportunities, Planning 
•	NCAA Subcommittee on Student Athletes with Disabilities
•	NCAA Inclusion Forum (April 30 – May 2, 2013)
•	Eight (8) men’s and four (4) women’s Intercollegiate wheelchair basketball programs; also several track programs
•	Various adaptive athletic programs - Intramural vs. Intercollegiate

Slide 30:
Current State of Post Secondary 
Opportunities, Planning 
RESOURCES:
Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball
National Wheelchair Basketball Association
Listing of Colleges/Universities that offer Adapted Sports 
Intramural vs Intercollegiate, Sport programs http://www.acsaaorg.org/resources.php

Slide 31: 
August 20th Webinar :
Guidance for Inclusion in Colleges/Universities

Slide 32:
IV. Secondary Education
Comprehensive Compliance
Mainstreaming – Local Assessment
Must be safe for all participants
Must not change the nature of the sport
Should not present an administrative burden
Cognitive Impairment – Unified Sport (Special Olympics)
Physically Disabled - Adapted Sports

Slide 33:
AAASP Policies & Procedures
District Teams
Multi-District Teams
Elementary/Middle/High School Age
One Sanctioned Sport Per Season
Inclusive events

Slide 34:
Physically Disabled 
AAASP Sanctioned Adapted Sports
Wheelchair Team Handball (Fall)
Wheelchair Basketball (Winter)
Wheelchair Football (Spring)
Interscholastic Junior Varsity & Varsity school district teams compete in regular & post season competition in each sports season 

Slide 35:
AAASP/GHSA ALLIANCE
AAASP works in partnership with the Georgia High School Association to improve the well being of students with physical disabilities by providing interscholastic adapted athletics & championship events throughout the school year
The top benefits parents identified were:
•	Opportunity to play sports that the kids would otherwise never have
•	The ability to work hard, participate in a group, set goals, & excel in sports
•	Increased motivation to get good grades, improvement in academics
•	Respect and consideration for others
•	Active engagement and friendship with other students, mentors, & coaches

Slide 36:
AAASP Policies & Procedures
•	District Teams
•	Multi-District Teams
•	Elementary/Middle/High School Age
•	One Sanctioned Sport Per Season
•	Inclusive events

Slide 37:
AAASP/GHSA ALLIANCE
Student athletes compete in the wheelchair events at the 
State High School Track & Field Meet 
Slide 38:
AAASP Resources
Membership
Training – coaches, officials, coordinators, administrators
Media and Publications – Rules, Manuals, Videos, Posters, Brochures, Handbooks, Teaching Guides
Equipment Kits - Flaghouse
Consulting – Service Guide

Slide 39:
Best Practices
Needs Assessment
State/Area Coordinator
Special Ed. & Athletics Coordination/Cooperation 
Home Gym (per yr./season)
Schools-Community Partnerships
Transportation as needed (parent involvement)
Inclusive Environment (AB Attendance, Cheerleading, Scores Published/Announced)

Slide 40:
Demographics
AAASP statistics : 
In the past three years 949 student athletes with physical disabilities participated in one or more adapted sport.
During the 2010-2011 school year, 92 schools representing 22 School
Districts offered extracurricular interscholastic adapted sports.
Source: AAASP - GA 2010/2011

Slide 41:
Photo of wheelchair basket ball player.  Text on page:
American Association Adapted Sports Programs
Quote: You always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
Is your school system in the game of empowering students with disabilities to succeed through sport?  Are they realizing these benefits?
Improved grades
Improved health
Higher grad rates
Reduced absences
Increased socialization
Inclusive schools
Ease of compliance
District wide cost-sharing
Community support
Parental involvement
Cross-curriculum training
In most districts, one program, amid the hundreds for the non-disabled is creating life changing results, quickly, safely affordably.
If you have a qualifying physical or sensory disability and attend grades 1-12 in Georgia….you’re in the game.  Contact AAASP, GHSA, your athletic department or a coach to express your interest.  Learn more about the sports that may be available to you at www.adaptedsports.org 

Slide 42:
Next Steps: Challenges
Defining policies for individualized assessment
Creation of model adapted programs 
Education and Awareness building

Slide 43:
Terri Lakowski. Esq.
t 202.656.1350  c 314.517.0116 
Tlakowski@ActivePolicySolutions.com 
www.ActivePolicySolutions.com

Eli Wolff, Program Director 
Inclusive Sports Initiative
Institute for Human Centered Design
ewolff@ihcdesign.org

Beverly Vaughn, Executive Director
bvaughn@adaptedsports.org
t 404-294-0070  c 404-291-3073 
Tommie Storms, Director of Operations
tstorms@adaptedsports.org
t 404-294-0070  c 404-291-4514
www.adaptedsports.org

Slide 44:
Thank you for participating in today’s 
ADA-Audio Conference Session
The next scheduled session is:
The topic has not yet been announced.  Please watch the website for this announcement and/or email notifications
May 21, 2013
Register at:  www.ada-audio.org or call 877-232-1990 V/TTY