Why is this important for people with disabilities?
From a strictly health standpoint, people with disabilities are more likely to be obese and suffer from preventable comorbid conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. According to the CDC (Centers on Disease Control and Prevention), 20% of children with special healthcare needs are obese.1 The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) notes disability as a risk factor for obesity.2 In addition the AAP has policy guidelines on the benefits of exercise for people with disabilities3 such as:
- Better lung capacity
- Increased muscle strength
- Less isolation
- Increased social skills through interaction with others
- Better sleep quality
- Improved academic performance
- Improved mental health, well-being, and self-esteem
Inclusive Sports
Children and adults with disabilities should be included in their communities, and that means recreational activities as well. Although there are sports leagues just for people with disabilities, the movement is now towards inclusive sports with peers without disabilities.
Finding Inclusive Recreational Programs
Some programs, like those in California and Georgia, provide inclusive sports but only in their state. California has E-Sports (Exceptional Sports) which is inclusive and has programs in dance, soccer, basketball, and martial arts (see Resources). Georgia has AdaptED Sports Programs which are also inclusive in collaboration with school districts.
There are many other inclusive sports programs that are available nationally. Some of these originated from sports for children without disabilities, while others began as programs solely for children with disabilities and then expanded. Challenger Little League is inclusive baseball with peer mentors. Miracle League is another accessible baseball program where children with disabilities play alongside nondisabled peers.
Healthy Kids Running Series, an inclusive program with running races. NCHPAD (National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability) has a directory of adapted, as well as inclusive sports. Finally, Special Olympics has Unified Sports which are inclusive programs at their facilities, as well as sports programs and physical education in school districts.
Children and adults with disabilities can stay healthier by participating in inclusive sports in their communities.
References
1. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/obesity.html
2. https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/Bright%20Futures/BF_HealthyWeight_Tipsheet.pdf
3. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/fitness/Pages/Physical-Activity-for-Children-with-Disabilities-AAP-Policy-Explained.aspx
Game On : Inclusive Sports ResourcesZ
E-Sports California only
https://e-sports.org/locations
American Association of AdaptED SPORTS Programs, Inc. (AAASP)
Georgia only
https://adaptedsports.org/find-your-team/#program-maps
Challenger Little League
www.littleleague.org/play-little-league/league-finder
Miracle League
www.miracleleague.com/find-a-miracle-league
Healthy Kids Running Series
https://healthykidsrunningseries.org/find-a-race
National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability
www.nchpad.org/Directories/Programs
Special Olympics Unified Sports
www.specialolympics.org/what-we-do/sports/unified-sports
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lauren Agoratus, M.A. is the NJ Coordinator for Family Voices, NJ Regional Coordinator for the Family-to-Family Health Information Center, and Product Development Coordinator for RAISE (Resources for Advocacy, Independence, Self-Determination, and Employment). She also serves as NJ representative for the Caregiver Community Action Network as a volunteer. Nationally, Lauren has served on the Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities transplant committee (antidiscrimination), Center for Health Care Strategies Medicaid Workgroup on Family Engagement, Family Advisor for Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs National Research Network, National Quality Forum-Pediatric Measures Steering Committee, and Population Health for Children with Medical Complexity Project-UCLA. She has written blogs and articles nationally, including publications in 2 academic journals (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=agoratus+l). Lauren was named a Hero Advocate by Exceptional Parent Magazine (www.epmagazine.com Archives June 2022).
Read the article here.