By: Paige Forster

Access to k-12 sports in modern society is challenging among children with disabilities. In comparison to children without disabilities, children with disabilities are given a small sector of available sports.

According to Murphy and Carbone within the Pediatrics Department at the University of Utah, the act of exercise among children with disabilities promotes inclusion and increased rates of overall well-being. Also stated within the article is that even though 18% of adolescent Americans have some type of disability, opportunities for physical fitness available to them is limited. Murphy and Carbone state that with the formation of The Special Olympics in 1968, this is the only form of physical activity available fo children with disabilities and that is disheartening. One company cannot physically reach all 18% of adolescent Americans with disabilities.

In the Federal Register Department of Education document, stated was the equal treatment within an education system for all individuals, disabilities or not. All education and school related activities (i.e. sports) have been said to be given equal opportunity among every single individual.

According to the United Nations, individuals with disabilities face societal barriers outside of physical activities. Sports and any type of physical activity can be proven to break the societal barriers, said United Nations. The UN states that including individuals with disabilities within the sport activity realm of kids without disabilities is the first step in the right direction. The UN also states that the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is the first international convention to address this problem states above. They are stating that all individuals with disabilities be included in all physical education and sports that individuals without disabilities are given access to.

Within the article by Allender, Cowburn, and Foster, the qualitative research of why individuals participate in physical activity is explained. This underlies why people exercise and the importance of it. For all individuals, disabilities or not, Allender, Cowburn, and Foster explain the importance of funding for all sports and for all individuals. These include reduce stress levels and health conditions.

In conclusion, the pro statement is that all children, disabilities or not, deserve equal rights to sports, no matter the circumstances. The con statement is that due to funding, children with disabilities are not given the access to all sports because it is too much funding coming from tax dollar.