The Clarke County School District is bringing adapted sports to Athens schools. The school district will begin offering wheelchair basketball later this year and will expand to football, handball, and one co-ed districtwide team sport in 2024.
Students in grades 6-12 who have an orthopedic, vision, or hearing impairment, are ambulatory, use assistive devices, or use a manual or powered wheelchair are eligible to participate in adapted sports. Students with a qualifying disability who do not already use a wheelchair will be provided with one.
“By providing opportunities for students with physical disabilities the option to engage with each other, we are meeting students where they are and working proactively to include them in the complete school experience,” said Dr. Robbie Hooker, CCSD Superintendent.
The American Association of Adapted Sports Programs, Inc. (AAASP) is partnering with the Georgia Department of Education to provide interscholastic athletics to students with physical disabilities or sensory impairments. The 2023 Georgia A.S.P.I.R.E. grant will offer assistance to school districts and their partnering agencies who are committed to implementing adapted sports programs in their communities.
Families that are interested in enrolling their students in an adapted sports program should contact the district’s area coordinator, Chris Aiken, at aikenc@clarke.k12.ga.us.
