Creating an inclusive Physical Education or fitness program for students with disabilities is more than just compliance with accessibility standards, it’s cultivating a space where all students feel comfortable to participate and grow. Whether you’re a PE teacher, an athletic coach, or an educator looking to help students create an active, healthy lifestyle, we can take steps to make physical activity accessible for all students.
1. Start with an Individualized Approach
Even students who have similar disabilities will have their own unique set of strengths. Begin by assessing each student’s needs, strengths, and interests. Whether a student has movement goals in their IEP or not, using a student-centered approach to create adaptable fitness goals encourages students to express themselves with movement that feels good to them.
2. Create a Welcoming Environment
Ensure that equipment is accessible and that any individual helping with the program has had training on inclusive practices. Encourage a positive mindset from all students and educators to foster an environment of encouragement and respect. Words hold a lot of power, so discourage the phrase “I can’t” and shift the focus to what students can accomplish.
3. Make Small Changes to Build Inclusivity
Inclusive fitness doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing initiative. Small, incremental changes can make a big difference, especially as they build up over time. If you’re leading students in physical activity, start by ensuring your facility meets the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. From there, work on making small modifications to your programming, communication, and lesson structures to meet students’ diverse needs.
4. Leverage Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Just like using UDL in the learning classroom, these principles can help make Physical Education accessible to everyone. Offer multiple ways to engage with an exercise and be sure to offer visual and verbal demonstrations. Be ready to offer hands-on assistance to students who need it or modify exercises for students with differing abilities. As long as you’re maintaining the core objective, fitness can look different for everyone while accomplishing the same goal!
5. Use Technology for Accessibility
Technology is a powerful tool for inclusivity, and fitness is no exception. Many inclusive fitness organizations offer video demonstrations, adaptive fitness apps, or suggestions for modifying exercises and activities. Visual workout schedules can also help students engage in physical activity independently. Collaborate with the special education professionals in your school to learn which tools students are already comfortable using and see if there is a way to incorporate them into your instruction.
6. Collaborate with Families and Community Organizations
Families play a critical role in supporting student learning and physical activity. Engage caregivers in their student’s routine, establish clear communication about what their student is working on, and consider inviting them to participate in an activity. This opens the door to send exercises home with the student to try when they want to be active on their own time. Community organizations like Special Olympics can also offer opportunities beyond the school setting. Connecting with adaptive fitness organizations can also enrich your program and provide additional resources, both for you and your students.
7. Be Open to Learning and Adapting
There’s no such thing as perfection when it comes to creating inclusive spaces. Be open to feedback from students, families, special educators in your organization, and other adaptive fitness professionals. Making mistakes is part of the process and what matters is the willingness to listen, adjust, and continuously improve while putting our students first.
Seeking out new perspectives, strategies, and resources can make a real difference in how all students experience physical education. Teaching Channel’s upcoming course, Course 5355: Inclusive P.E. for Students with Disabilities, offers practical ways to modify activities and create a more accessible environment for every learner. Pre-register by March 15 to save $75 and take a proactive step in making your PE program more inclusive!
By implementing these strategies, you can help ensure that every student, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to engage in meaningful and enjoyable physical activity. Let’s work together to create a fitness culture that truly includes everyone!
Looking for more ideas? Tune into episode 75 of the Teaching Channel Talks podcast to explore practical strategies for making physical activity accessible for all learners.
