Sports Fields: Hit It Out Of The Park

Tips and best practices for adaptive programmingBy Troy HoutmanOn a Saturday morning at Miracle Field in Wichita, Kan., one will find a group of special athletes participating in America’s pastime—baseball. While some use wheelchairs or walkers, others are blind or have intellectual disabilities—all are ready to have a swing of the bat, round the bases, and catch a ball. Every child has the right to enjoy the thrill of playing sports, whether as part of a team or as an individual. Historically, limitations and exclusions were regularly imposed on those with intellectual and physical disabilities, predominantly due to the illusion that sports require superior physical ability. Today, there is a movement toward more progressive inclusion and acceptance, with opportunities for sports participation at many levels.