Service animals can play an integral role in the lives and education of students with disabilities. In addition to assisting with physical tasks, service animals can improve confidence, independence and quality of life for students, as well as help them to meet their educational goals. Teachers, coaches and administrators should have the knowledge…

Public concern over the general health of children in the United States has risen during recent years due to dramatic decreases in physical activity levels and increases in obesity and other health-related issues. This article examines the participation of students with disabilities in extracurricular activities, particularly athletic activities,…

Involvement in extracurricular activities provides youth with opportunities to develop important personal skills, abilities, and preferences, and to build meaningful social support networks. Historically, students who are deaf or hard of hearing (SDHH) have had limited access to opportunities for both academic and occupational development,…

There are limited school counseling resources that address the unique post high school transition issues faced by students with High-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (HASD). While many school counselors have excellent skills in assessment, advising, and career planning, it is worthwhile to expand these to include working with students with…

In most school systems in the United States, interscholastic sporting events and other extracurricular activities help bring people together while enhancing opportunities for students to become integral parts of their communities. Because of the important role that extracurricular activities, especially sports, play in the lives of students,…

Administrators in public schools are undoubtedly familiar with their duties under federal law to serve students with disabilities in the educational program. Far fewer, however, are aware of their legal obligations to these same students in after-school athletics and extracurricular activities. Are students with disabilities entitled to…

This article provides a systematic synthesis of the agency and court rulings that apply Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to interscholastic athletics. The resulting framework also offers insight into how these federal statutes may pertain to…

College compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires that sensitivity to the needs of all students be a high priority for student activities programming. This includes attention to office accessibility, balanced representation on program boards, sensitivity training, accessibility of activities, and publicity designed to…

College compliance with the Americans with Disabilities of Act of 1990 means including a statement about disabilities in publications, providing transportation for off-campus trips, eliminating physical barriers, providing nonvoice terminal telephones, using captioned films, having assistive listening devices, reserving designated seating,…