This document summarizes a presentation given at an NCAA Inclusion Summit about student-athletes with disabilities. It provides context on issues of diversity including race, gender, sexual orientation and disability in sport. It discusses the wide spectrum of disabilities and prevalence of disabilities in the US and in higher education. It outlines options for involvement of student-athletes with disabilities within existing able-bodied teams, disability-specific teams, and in coaching roles. Recommendations are made to establish NCAA initiatives and guidance to promote inclusion of student-athletes with disabilities at all levels of competition.

1. Student-Athletes with
Disabilities
Eli Wolff
Brown University
Dr. Ted Fay Dr. Mary Hums
SUNY-Cortland University of Louisville
NCAA Inclusion Summit
September 19, 2011

2. "Disability is not a 'brave struggle' or
'courage in the face of adversity’ ....
Disability is an art. It's an ingenious
way to live.“
- Marcus, 2011

3. Overview
• Context
• Disability and Disability in Sport
• Student-Athletes with Disabilities
• Coaching/Athletic Administration
• Recommendations

4. Context
• Race
• Gender
• Sexual Orientation
• Disability

5. Disability
There are a wide spectrum of disabilities:
Physical
Mental
Intellectual
Sensory

6. Disability
As of 2008, in the United States, there are
54 million people living with a disability
(U.S. Census)
In 2008, 11% of undergraduate students
reported having a disability (National
Center for Education Statistics)

7. Disability in Sport
Retarded Talented
Gimpy Athletic
Crippled Whole
Lame Strong

8. Student-Athletes with Disabilities within
Existing Able-Bodied Teams & Events

9. Student-Athletes with Disabilities in
Disability-Specific Teams & Events

10. Coaching/Athletic Administration
Fostering the career pipeline

11. Recommendations
Establish NCAA Student-Athletes with
Disabilities Education Initiative
Create NCAA Committee on Student-
Athletes with Disabilities
Include guidance on student-athletes
with disabilities in NCAA manuals
Explore and develop opportunities for
disability-specific emerging sports

12. Inclusion
“Inclusion is the final stage of integration
of people with disabilities in a sport
competition or organization, in which
they are involved, accepted and
respected at all levels of the
competition or organization.”
- Nixon, 2007

13. Student-Athletes with
Disabilities
Eli Wolff
Brown University
Dr. Ted Fay Dr. Mary Hums
SUNY-Cortland University of Louisville
NCAA Inclusion Summit
September 19, 2011