A Guide to Inclusive Physical Activity Programs

This Guide is an addendum to the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs: A Guide for Schools.  The goal of the Guide to Inclusive School Physical Activity Programs is to promote inclusion of children and youth with disabilities in school physical activity programs. This Guide should be used in conjunction with the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program: A Guide for Schools. The Guide includes section headings followed by a page number, which refers to a corresponding page in the CSPAP. Original material from the CSPAP is in italics. You will want to read this section in its entirety and then return to the Guide to consider the additional concepts specific to inclusion. Some sections do not require further information on inclusion.

Action Guide and Toolbox

Discover Inclusive School Wellness Action Guide

This checklist and action guide is intended to be used as an implementation tool for a school or school district’s wellness policy and plan that meets USDA guidelines and promotes nutrition education, physical activity, staff wellness and has a quality physical education program. The checklist is organized by different concentration areas that schools or school districts should address when implementing a school wellness plan. Throughout this document, you will find considerations for inclusion of students with disability side-by-side with an action step and a suggested tool. Physical activity programs within a school should address the needs of all students in the school community including those with a disability.

Discover Inclusive School Wellness Toolbox

This toolbox is designed to accompany the “Discover Inclusive School Wellness Action Guide.” Use these tools to help develop school wellness programming and policies to be inclusive of students with disabilities.

School Wellness Policy Resources

Local school wellness policy is an important component of a well-rounded school wellness program. Building off of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Model Wellness Policy resources, we have provided disability inclusion components into sample school wellness policies.

Adapted Alliance Model Wellness Policy:

Local school wellness policy with adaptations:

Full inclusion begins with the recognition that children and youth with disabilities are integral members of the school community and must be more than just acknowledged as an afterthought.

Flyers on Inclusive School Wellness Policies

How to Review Your School Wellness Policy with Inclusion in Mind:

Inclusion in School Wellness Policies:

Program Support Resources

Inclusive Nutrition Education

Nutrition education should be accessible to and inclusive of people of all abilities. This means including disabilities in the planning process and ensuring that accessibility is guaranteed throughout implementation. Download this flyer for inclusive nutrition tips:

Top Tips for Inclusive Brain Boosters

Brain boosters should be inclusive of all types of disabilities. Teachers should provide activities that are fun and that reflect the needs and interests of the students. It is important to gather enough information to create appropriate adaptations to ensure full participation of all students. Download this flyer for our top tips:

Resources for Inclusion in Physical Activity and Youth with Disability

Download a clickable PDF of resources: