Sports Are for Everyone

From inclusive to special programs, San Diego has it all

There is one simple thing that could change the life of a child or adult with disabilities: Add a sport to their routine.

Athletic programs for people with developmental and physical disabilities have become easier to find and have propelled in growth in the last decade. Coach MJ Leone, wellness coordinator and P.E. teacher in the San Diego Unified School District, says there is no better way to promote an active and healthy lifestyle, improve physical abilities, build self-confidence, maintain good mental health, strengthen interpersonal skills and foster friendships. With so much to gain, it’s unfortunate that only a small percentage of people with disabilities enjoy these benefits. Finding the right fit can be challenging, but it’s worth conquering the barriers and participating in an accessible team. Let’s see if we can make that happen for more San Diegans.

Batter Up: Get Started

People with special needs should be encouraged to participate in sports and physical activity. Don’t approach sports as something they can’t do. Instead, guide them toward participating in sports where they can succeed and have fun. Here are things you can do to get started:

• Get a complete physical exam to ensure your child is healthy enough to participate.

• Make an “about me” page to help the coach understand the disability. Share the best ways to talk and work with the athlete.

• If you have concerns about the disability (i.e., not fitting in or having the ability or skills necessary), talk to others in the community to obtain tips and resources for the ideal spot.

• If you’re a client of a regional center, connect with your caseworker about options and funding.

First Base: Find the Right Sport

Assess your child’s strengths. “Select a sport where they can feel comfortable and successful,” says Leone. “Consider activities they feel good about doing. What strengths do they have? Which sports use those skills? Talk to your child’s teachers and therapists to brainstorm ideas.”

Talk to families (that participate in sports) in your neighborhood, school and friend circles. Connecting with friends strengthens those relationships and provides lifelong skills for all players (and caregivers).

“Ask what sports your child is interested in, then look at various options in your area and the months they are played,” says Walter Jackson, executive director of Sports for Exceptional Athletes. Give your local sports organizations a call.

Check out the “Recreation” section of Flourishing Families for an extensive list of inclusive organizations. Lastly, consider a sport that a sibling enjoys. Siblings can be inspirational sports partners and may be interested in volunteering as a “buddy.”

Second Base: Find the Right Program

Find a program that meets your unique needs. There are special programs specifically designed for persons with physical or developmental disabilities; and there are inclusive mainstream teams that offer support. There is no ideal answer, and it is possible to create a hybrid program.

Susan Xiao found the perfect program for her son Drake at Sports for Exceptional Athletes. The program is specifically designed for people with disabilities. Initially uninterested in joining a basketball team, Drake thrived with all the supports that met his specific needs. At his final tournament, it was a joy to watch Drake giving high-fives to his new friends each time he scored.

Does your child want to play on a mainstream team?

“Don’t hesitate to reach out to my office for assistance,” says Julie Gregg, supervising specialist with the City of San Diego Therapeutic Recreation Services. “We can often provide an aide or other support to help players of all ages participate at any of the 60 centers around San Diego and Imperial Counties.” Learn more at www.sandiego.gov/park-andrecreation/activities/trs

Third Base: It is Possible!

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), people with disabilities have the right to participate on sports teams. First, focus on the player, not the disability.

People with disabilities want to be like other team members; it’s important to create realistic, but challenging, expectations for them. Talk to them about their needs. Coaches can be creative; they adapt practices for athletes who don’t understand, can’t do something or need to do it differently because of an injury. Many sports have accommodations to successfully include people with disabilities. For instance, there is no “double dribble” in wheelchair basketball.

Foul Ball: Not as Planned

Any person, including those without a disability, can feel overwhelmed. Be aware that it may not always go as planned; you may need to step back while being supportive, with the intention of having fun. It’s about the journey, the experience and being included.

Sadly, negative social attitudes often create barriers in sports, leading to social isolation and impacting emotional and physical well-being. Ableism perpetuates the idea that people are defined by their disabilities and that those with disabilities are inferior to those without.

Promoting inclusion in everyday life, including sports, can help reduce ableism and increase representation and diversity of people with disabilities.

Home Run: Encourage Everyone to Play

People living with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be physically inactive as those without, according to the National Institutes of Health. Get your child started as early as possible to provide a better chance of leading a physically active life the best they can.

Carol Tamaki has made sports an integral part of her daughter’s life since age 5 (she is now an energetic 20-yearold). “Although Tammy may be nonverbal and seem aloof to others, she loves participating in sports,” Tamaki says. “It is pretty much the only time she has a chance to feel like part of a group. That’s why we keep doing it.” v

Linda St. Angelo Burritt is an educator, resource specialist and local mother of two, one of whom has multiple disabilities.

Sports for Exceptional Athletes (S4EA) was established in 2007 by a group of coaches, parents, volunteers and community members who recognized a need for a sports program in San Diego County for athletes with developmental disabilities ages 5–adults. S4EA offers over 20 sports in four “seasons” as follows:

Spring (Mar–June)

Baseball, Basketball, Cycling, Floor Hockey, Pickleball

Summer (Jun–Sep)

Bocce, Cycling, Soccer, Softball, Tennis

Fall (Sep–Dec)

Flag Football, Floor Hockey, Volleyball

Winter (Jan–Mar)

Basketball, Cross Country Skiing, Downhill Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Track

Year-Round (Jan–Dec)

Bowling, Golf, Ice Skating, Swimming, Table Tennis, Walking/Running/Exercise

Register for programs and learn more at www.s4ea.org/sports