Question

Issue: Should athletes who participate in adapted sport outside of their school district and who achieve a high level of success be awarded a varsity letter from their high school? The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits discrimination based on physical or mental disability in federally funded programs or public places or programs.

Case: You are the athletic director of a high school and are approached by the coaches and parents of students with intellectual disabilities who attend your high school. They ask that the students with intellectual disabilities who have participated in Special Olympics soccer training and competition be awarded a varsity letter from the high school. They use the rationale that the program is run through the school district, their athletes have completed a 10-week season of training and competition, and they have recently won the gold medal at the state Special Olympics soccer tournament.
Case Study Assignment: Develop a position statement relative to this case that you would present to the parents and coaches. Should the athletes be awarded a varsity letter based on their achievements? Why or why not?
Directions:
Develop a position statement relative to the case you would present to the parents and coaches based on Chapter 3 contents (using Sport framework, Legislative laws, Sports settings, etc.). Develop your statement with appropriate words and Legislative justification.

Answer 1

Students with intellectual disabilities who have succeeded in Special Olympics soccer should be awarded a varsity letter from their high school, as this is aligned with the ADA and IDEA, which advocate for non-discrimination and equal participation in school activities.

Step-by-step explanation:

Position Statement on Awarding Varsity Letters to Athletes with Disabilities

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), students with disabilities are afforded rights to equitable participation in school activities, which includes sports. Given that students with intellectual disabilities participated in a sanctioned 10-week Special Olympics soccer program through their school district and exhibited a high level of success by winning the gold medal at the state tournament, it aligns with the ADA's principles of non-discrimination and reasonable accommodation to award these students a varsity letter. The ADA stresses that accommodations should be made in public programs to ensure participation for individuals with disabilities is on an equal basis with others, and does not permit exclusion based on the location of the program. Hence, athletes with disabilities should be awarded a varsity letter from their high school in recognition of their achievements, thereby supporting their inclusion and success in extracurricular sports.

The right for equitable treatment is further supported by the history of advocacy for educational and extracurricular inclusivity for students with disabilities, and by the recognition of the importance of addressing discriminatory practices in educational institutions, as outlined in the landmark Atkins v. Virginia (2002). Providing varsity letters to these athletes aligns with these anti-discriminatory practices and the principle of equal educational opportunities. Additionally, it is a form of recognition that has the potential to improve the confidence and social integration of student-athletes with disabilities, contributing positively to their educational and social experience.