The Cure Our Children Foundation has developed the following Model Sports
and Recreation Policy for Accommodating Children with Disabilities to promote
integration of those with disabilities into the main stream of sports teams
wherever and whenever possible:
I. Individualized accommodation and adaptation: The coach or
administrator should individually determine the best combination of
accommodations of equipment, team member assistance, or other suitable
accommodation so that the child with disabilities can participate in the sport.
II. Access: Ingress and Egress: Each child with disabilities should
be able to enter and exit easily into the sports arena or playing field where
the activity is being played. All barriers to entry and exit should be
addressed.
III. Full Appropriate Participation: All accommodation should be designed
to achieve the maximum appropriate participation of the disabled child
considering all factors including the child's abilities and the type of sports
activity.
IV. Bathrooms, water, medication delivery devices, walking equipment,
wheelchairs and other equipment: Children with disabilities will have access as
needed to bathrooms and water at any time, and all equipment, devices, or
facilities needed for accommodation will be welcomed.
V. Training and discussion with team members and parents: The coach
or administrator will discuss the accommodation and encourage team members and
parents to support the child with disabilities with the aim of maintaining the
disabled child's privacy, self-confidence and full participation. Making
fun of or otherwise disturbing the disabled child will not be allowed. All
team members will be made aware of any physical contact restrictions or other
restrictions.
VI. Annual Review: Each year, the coach or administrator will review the
disability accommodation plan.
The Cure Our Children Foundation
http://www.cureourchildren.org