Chicago Students Experience Disability Through Adaptive Sports

Fifth graders at Edgar Allan Poe Elementary Classical School in Chicago recently participated in an adaptive sports program designed to foster compassion and understanding of disabilities. The Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA) led the session, introducing students to sports like goalball, sit volleyball, and wheelchair basketball.

During a goalball activity, students wore blacked-out goggles, experiencing the challenge of navigating and playing the sport using only sound. This hands-on approach provided a firsthand glimpse into the daily experiences of individuals with visual impairments. Fifth grader Gabrielle Eldridge described the experience as "very dark," highlighting the auditory cues crucial for play.

Mak Nong, LWSRA's athletic supervisor, who was born without a leg, emphasized the program's goal: to help students "see how the other side lives and functions." He believes such experiences are vital for creating positive change and ensuring inclusivity.

Students expressed newfound appreciation for the adaptive sports. Caleb Spaulding, 11, shared his enjoyment of wheelchair basketball, noting the different mobility techniques and the ability to play from a seated position. He was inspired by the possibility of athletes with impairments competing professionally.

David McCann, a physical education teacher at Poe Classical, observed the program's significant impact. He stated that it allows students to "really be able to appreciate the access they have to their everyday lifestyle with having legs and mobility." This fostered appreciation is a key outcome of learning through adaptive sports.