For years, the IHSA has focused upon reasonable accommodations to allow student-athletes with disabilities to be integrated to the maximum extent possible in IHSA sports and activities. The IHSA has promoted inclusion of student-athletes with disabilities wherever possible, focusing upon the various benefits of participating in extracurricular athletics or activities, which would include socialization, improved teamwork and leadership skills, as well as fitness. Since the 2012-2013 school year, the IHSA has offered events for student-athletes with disabilities in swimming, track and field, and bowling. Since the development of these opportunities for students with disabilities, the IHSA has consistently attempted to promote and broaden the opportunities for student-athletes with disabilities.
Member schools can make accommodation requests for students with disabilities as a part of the association’s Accommodations Policy. The Policy and the Accommodations Request Form can be found here in this section of the IHSA website along with other information regarding these programs.
Additionally, the IHSA’s ADA Coordinator, Kraig Garber, will be available to assist member schools during the year with any questions they might have regarding association programs for students with disabilities. His contact information is as follows:
Kraig Garber, IHSA ADA Coordinator
kgarber@ihsa.org
309.663.6377
These programs have expanded opportunities for student athletes, and the IHSA has been encouraged by the growth of the programs since their development in 2012.