Department of Education: public schools sports must be opened to the disabled (radical, cost)
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Well, it has finally come. Special education has finally met up with sports in the public schools. This is just the beginning.
Quote:
The feds are ordering schools across the country to make "reasonable" changes to sports programs so that disabled students can play — or else create separate teams for them.
The new guidance from the Education Department issued Friday was hailed by advocates for the disabled but denounced by a conservative think-tank that said it could cost big bucks for cash-strapped schools.
In a letter to schools due out Friday, Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Seth Galanter of the Department of Education says schools should provide "reasonable modifications" to allow disabled students to participate – for instance, providing a deaf track athlete with a flashing light that goes off simultaneously with the starter pistol that others hear.
He said schools don't have to radically alter games or stop choosing the most qualified athletes for competitive teams. They can look to "allied" or "unified" sports teams, in which students with disabilities participate with students without them. Schools can't deny a disabled student a slot on a sports team because a coach believes he can't compete.White House: Schools must open sports to disabled
Isn't that what coaches do every time they hold tryouts? So... when does the ADA hit the pros?
Well state championship title is pretty important to lots of HS sports teams.
What "reasonable modifications" do you do to the rules ? Is out of bounds acceptable IF the student doing it is disabled ?
Does one NOT tackle the kid with the ball because he's in a wheelchair ?
No, I see two separate teams being formed within schools. Means hire lots more coaches.
Heck, who needs Math/Science teachers anyway ?
"Schools can't deny a disabled student a slot on a sports team because a coach believes he can't compete."
So the disable kid can't be cut now. Next the coach will have to listen to the parents whine and cry about why their kid isn't playing. Then the coach will bend and put em in there and they get plastered all over the field and the parents will sue for putting littly Johnny in a dangerous situation.
All kids should play when they are younger. High school sports are much more serious. The entire premise is competing. You compete with the guys on your team to start, you compete with the opponent to win. I guess that's not fair but neither is life. Not everybody was cut out for sports. Not everybody was cut out to be in the choir either.
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