It's an All Play

A significant reason why I had really good attendance in high school was, yes, it was the rule of the house, and, because I was involved in sports.

I’m a major proponent of team sports and highly recommend that kids join in. If hitting, kicking, shooting, pitching, catching (did you ever notice how violent are our actions toward the ball?) are not your things, then be a manager, a scorekeeper, a mascot, a member of the pep band.

In those growing-up years of adolescence, it is important to belong and be part of something that is not just about you; it is about the team and a shared goal. You practice two-a-days and on Saturday mornings together, run together when you tick-off the coach, lose together, win together, have great stories you share together.

This is why I am so pleased that the U.S. Board of Education announced that students with disabilities must be given the opportunity to join school teams and that officials must make “reasonable modifications” to accommodate their desire to join and to play. A note to all advocates: Let’s keep watch on this and make sure students with disabilities are given every opportunity to participate and are not blocked by some schools who use the out of “reasonable modifications” to say it costs too much or distracts from the sport too much to allow their participation.

The benefits of this announcement are significant for all involved and are a huge step in creating a society where all belong, all participate, and all are given the opportunity to be a part of that ever-expanding, diverse group known as “us.”

sj;