Adapted Physical Education Definitions, History and Legislation for Change

Quote of the Day Individuals with disabilities are restricted by access, opportunity and attitudes.

Definition Adapted physical education is physical education designed to meet the needs of children with disabilities. It is a service that children receive not the placement (Lieberman, 2010). Adapted physical education programs are those that have the same objectives as the regular physical education program, but in which adjustments are made in the regular offerings to meet the needs and abilities of exceptional students (Dunn, 1997).

Philosophy is Foundational Based on your beliefs and values: All individuals at all ages can benefit from physical activity. All individuals can learn when adaptations are incorporated into instruction. All individuals deserved access to high-quality instruction that enhances self esteem and contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

Historical Perspective Physical Education followed the Medical Model (1900 – 1950) Students with disabilities did not participate in Physical Education or they were placed in corrective physical education, specifically students with physical disabilities. Many students with cognitive or behavioral disabilities were in institutions and participated in recreational activities if physically able.

Moved from a medical model to a social model in physical education Medical model sees deficits, activity is to fix what is wrong. The approach is low achievement expectations. (Not going to get better) Social model views acceptance of difference. Sees ability to learn and improve. Looks for possibilities of what can be.

Willowbrook State School Staten Island New York1947-1987 A state-supported institution for children with intellectual disabilities. The school was designed for 4,000, but by 1965 it had a population of 6,000. At the time it was the biggest state-run institution for people with mental disabilities in the United States. Conditions and questionable medical practices and experiments prompted Senator Robert Kennedy to call it a "snake pit.". .

The Last Great Disgrace 1972 Public outcry led to its closure in 1987, and to federal legislation protecting the disabled Willowbrook The Last Great Disgrace 1972 by Geraldo Rivera Video: Youtube

Elementary & Secondary Education Act 1965 Provided grants to states to initiate, expand and improve educational programs for children with disabilities. Created the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped Most schools continued to avoid offering services

PL 93-112 Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Section 504. Reinforces the right of students with disabilities to participate in physical education courses, fitness assessment, interscholastic athletics, and intramural or club athletics. If students cannot fully or safely participate comparable opportunities must be offered.

Education for All Handicapped Children Act 1975 PL 94-142 First national law requiring free appropriate public education (FAPE) to all students with disabilities ages 3-21. The law includes that Physical Education is an academic area (a direct service) and should be made available to all students with disabilities through appropriate assessment, programs designed to meet specific needs Individual Education Program (IEP) and that the programs occur in a least restrictive environment (LRE).

Least Restrictive Environment for Physical Education (LRE) The first consideration for placement for children with disabilities is that they are educated with typical children in the General Physical Education program. Unless: The child needs specially designed physical education as prescribed in the child’s individualized education program.

Education for All Handicapped Children Amendments of 1986 PL 99-457 Required states to expand educational services to children from birth to age 5. Developed and implemented early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 1990 PL 99-457 Replaced the term handicapped with disability. Defined 13 categories of disabilities. Physical Education is defined to include; physical and motor fitness, fundamental motor skills and patterns and skills in aquatics, dance, and individual and group games and sports (intramural and lifetime sports).

Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 PL 101-336 Civil rights law that enforces the non-discrimination of persons with disabilities. Public or private employment Public accommodations Public services and programs Transportation Telecommunications (TDD)

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 PL 105-17 Assures the right of all individuals with disabilities to a free appropriate pubic education (FAPE). Age: Birth to 21 years Early intervention for infants to 2 years Preschool for ages 3-5 Transitional plan for age 14 to vocational training. School accessibility

What this means. Shifts focus from opportunity to meaningful learning that can be measured. Requires progress reports for children with disabilities that are the same as those for children without disabilities. Reinforces that special education is not a place, rather a set of services to support the needs of children with disabilities to succeed in the general education classroom.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) of 2004 PL 108-446 Students with disabilities have access to the general curriculum including Health and Physical Education regardless of placement.

Disability categories defined by IDEA Autism Deaf-blindness Deafness Developmental delay Emotional disturbance Hearing impairment Intellectual disability Multiple disabilities

Disability categories defined by IDEA Orthopedic impairment Other health impairment Specific learning disability Speech or language impairment Traumatic brain injury Visual impairment including blindness

Rosa’s Law 2010 Rosa's Law (Pub. L. 111-256) replaces the term "mental retardation" with "intellectual disability". The law is named for Rosa Marcellino, a girl with Down Syndrome who was nine years old when it became law, and who, according to President Barack Obama, "worked with her parents and her siblings to have the words 'mentally retarded' officially removed from the health and education code in her home state of Maryland." [2] ]

New Jersey Sports Inclusion Law 2014 On June 19, 2014, Governor Chris Christie signed into law P.L.2014, Chapter.10, which requires school districts to ensure that students with disabilities have opportunities to participate in athletic activities equal to those of other students. This includes physical education programs, existing classroom activities that involve physical activity, and athletic sports programs. New Jersey is on it way to providing meaningful sports experiences for all New Jersey’s students.

Continuum of Physical Education Placement based on the student’s needs. Full time General Physical Education,(GPE) no modifications needed GPE with adaptations GPE with in class support by APE specialist, paraeducator and/or peer. Part time APE and Part Time GPE Reverse Inclusion Self – contained APE with a whole class or an individual session. In Home or Separate school Home school or Hospital setting

Attributes of a Physical Education Teacher Teachers who teach students with disabilities need to be: Accepting of Individual Differences Creative Organized Patient Supportive and Caring Responsible Flexible