Adaptive Physical Education goes way beyond the school system. If the school systems can show that they care and support APE then it will shine light on so much more opportunities for students who need APE. There are so many activities and sports in the world today that have adapted to fit any disability a person might have. The biggest and most widely known of these is the special olympics and paralympics.
Special Olympics
Eunice Kennedy Shriver was a pioneer in the global struggle for rights and acceptance for people with intellectual disabilities. Eunice Kennedy Shriver believed in justice. But she saw little justice in the way people with intellectual disabilities were treated in the 1950s and 1960s -- and she decided to make a difference. Her revolutionary vision and programs changed the world.
Intellectual disabilities happen in all cultures, races and countries. The goal of Special Olympics is to reach out to the almost 200 million people in the world with ID. Through sports, our athletes are seeing themselves for their abilities, not disabilities. Their world is opened with acceptance and understanding.They become confident and empowered by their accomplishments. They are also making new friends, as part of the most inclusive community on the planet -- a global community that is growing every day. Our 4.5 million Special Olympics athletes – ages 8 years old and up -- come from more than 170 countries. (1)
Paralympics
Since its formation in 2001, U.S. Paralympics has been inspiring Americans to achieve their dreams. Through relationships with hundreds of organizations across the country including National Governing Bodies/High Performance Management Organizations and Paralympic Sport Clubs, U.S. Paralympics is making a difference in the lives of thousands of people with Paralympic-eligible impairments every day with educational opportunities and sports programming. The mission statement of the USOC:
“To support U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes in achieving sustained competitive excellence while demonstrating the values of the Olympic Movement, thereby inspiring all Americans”. (2)
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