Beyond the Classroom: Making extracurricular activities accessible for children with disabilities.

As parents of children with disabilities, we know that getting the right support in place can make all the difference in our child's academic success. But what about outside the classroom? Shouldn't our kids have the same opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities as their peers?

Thankfully, the answer is yes - and the school is responsible for making sure that happens. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools are required to provide accommodations and support for students with disabilities in all areas of school life, including extracurricular activities.

This means that if your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in place, the school should be working with you to determine what accommodations and supports are necessary for them to fully participate in extracurricular activities like field trips and sports.

What are important factors to consider regarding field trips for children with an IEP?

When planning field trips for children with an IEP, there are several important factors to consider to ensure that the trip is safe and accessible for all students. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:

1. Accessibility: It's important to consider the accessibility of the location and activities on the field trip. Ensure that the location is accessible for students with physical disabilities and that any activities can be adapted or modified to meet the needs of students with disabilities.
2. Transportation: If transportation is required for the field trip, it's important to consider the needs of students with disabilities. Ensure that the transportation is accessible and that any necessary accommodations are made, such as providing a wheelchair accessible vehicle or a bus with a lift.
3. Medical needs: Consider the medical needs of students with disabilities, including any medications that need to be administered during the trip, and any medical equipment that may be necessary. Ensure that staff members are trained on any medical procedures that need to be performed during the trip.
4. Behavioral needs: Consider the behavioral needs of students with disabilities, including any sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or other behavioral challenges. Ensure that staff members are trained on how to support students with behavioral needs during the trip.
5. Communication needs: Consider the communication needs of students with disabilities, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing, or those with speech or language disabilities. Ensure that staff members are trained on how to communicate effectively with these students and that any necessary accommodations, such as sign language interpreters or captioning, are provided.
6. Staffing ratios: Ensure that the staffing ratios for the trip meet the needs of all students, including those with disabilities. Consider the level of support that each student requires and ensure that there are enough staff members to provide the necessary support.
7. Individualized accommodations: Finally, it's important to consider the individualized accommodations that each student with an IEP requires. Work with the student's IEP team to determine any necessary accommodations for the trip, such as additional support, modified activities, or alternative assignments.

For example, if your child has a mobility impairment and uses a wheelchair, the school should be working to make sure that all field trip locations are accessible and that transportation is provided in an accessible vehicle. Or if your child has a sensory processing disorder and finds loud noises overwhelming, the school should be working to make sure that they have access to noise-canceling headphones or other accommodations during loud activities.

Of course, it's important to remember that every child's needs are different, and the accommodations and supports necessary will vary from child to child. That's why it's so important to work closely with your child's school and IEP team to make sure that their needs are being met both in and out of the classroom.

What are important factors to consider for school sports participation for children with IEPs?

When planning school sports programs for children with an IEP, there are several important factors to consider to ensure that the program is safe, inclusive, and accessible for all students. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:

1. Inclusion: It's important to promote inclusion and provide opportunities for children with disabilities to participate in school sports programs alongside their peers. Consider offering adaptive sports programs or *modifying existing sports programs to accommodate the needs of children with disabilities.
2. Safety: Ensure that safety is a top priority when planning school sports programs for children with disabilities. This may include providing appropriate safety equipment, *adapting rules and equipment to prevent injury, and providing adequate supervision and support during practices and games.
3. Individualized accommodations: Work with the student's IEP team to determine any individualized accommodations that are necessary to ensure that the student can participate fully in the sports program. This may include *modifications to the rules of the game, additional support from coaches or assistants, or modifications to equipment or facilities.
4. Communication: Ensure that effective communication is maintained with students, parents, and staff members throughout the sports program. This may include providing materials in accessible formats, such as Braille or large print, and ensuring that students who are deaf or hard of hearing have access to appropriate communication supports.
5. Staff training: Ensure that all staff members who are involved in the school sports program are trained on how to work with children with disabilities. This may include training on disability awareness, best practices for inclusive sports programs, and how to provide individualized accommodations.
6. Transportation: If transportation is required for the sports program, ensure that it is accessible and that any necessary accommodations, such as wheelchair accessible vehicles, are provided.

*I do have to add a disclaimer that while disabled students must be given the same opportunity to participate they also must be “otherwise qualified” and any accommodations or modifications must be “reasonable”.  In other words if all students are required to “try-out” then the disabled student is also required to meet those same qualifications.  Also any accommodations or modifications to rules can not unnecessarily transform the nature of the sport, impose excessive financial or administrative burden on a governing body or the school district, or present an excessive risk to the safety or health of the disabled person or other participants.

Is there a national school sports organization with information on including disabled children on sports teams?

Yes, there is a national school sports organization that provides information on including children with disabilities on sports teams. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) is the national organization for high school sports and activities in the United States.

The NFHS has a specific program called "Unified Sports" that is designed to promote social inclusion by bringing together students with and without disabilities to participate on the same sports teams. Unified Sports provides guidelines and resources for schools to help them create inclusive sports programs that meet the needs of all students.

In addition to Unified Sports, the NFHS also provides resources and guidance on adapting rules, equipment, and facilities to allow for students with disabilities to participate in traditional school sports programs. The NFHS has a partnership with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) to provide training for school administrators and coaches on how to create inclusive sports programs.

If you're interested in learning more about the NFHS and their resources for including students with disabilities in school sports programs, you can visit their website at www.nfhs.org.

What can you do as a parent to ensure that your child's IEP includes support for extracurricular activities?

In conclusion, it's important for schools to provide support for extracurricular activities for children with an IEP, including field trips and sports programs. By working collaboratively with the IEP team and ensuring that individualized accommodations are provided, children with disabilities can participate fully in these activities and reap the benefits of social interaction, physical activity, and learning outside of the classroom. As a parent, you play an important role in advocating for your child and ensuring that their needs are met. If you need assistance navigating the IEP process or advocating for your child's needs, consider working with an IEP Coach. As an IEP Coach and Consultant, I offer personalized support and guidance to parents of children with disabilities, helping them to understand their rights, advocate for their child, and ensure that their child's IEP includes the necessary support for extracurricular activities. Contact Me Today to learn more about how I can support you and your child on this journey.

Let's keep advocating for our kids to make sure they enjoy school activities alongside their peers and have all the support they need to succeed!