Overview
School alliances are needed now more than ever, given campus resource limitations and the volume of adaptive programming on campus. Although there is not a broad-based collegiate Paralympic sport structure, there is a strong appetite for collegiate adaptive programming. The strength of the adaptive programming at the college level is reflected in the collegiate footprint on Team USA. In Rio, 40% of the 2016 U.S. Paralympic Team competed collegiately; at the 2020 Paralympic Games, the U.S. college footprint grew to 50%.
The Paralympic inclusion efforts were guided by athletes, coaches and experts from the USOPC Paralympic Advisory Council, the NCAA Office of Inclusion, and the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. These experts met several times to consider past collaboration efforts and recognized the need for increased connection to schools offering adaptive programs. Paralympic sport at the college level could be elevated by increasing understanding of the current adaptive programs and advancing the Paralympians Made Here promotional efforts.
PARALYMPIC INCLUSION WORKING GROUP
 | Sandy Barbour | Pennsylvania State University Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics |
 | Greg Byrne | University of Alabama University of Athletics |
 | Tiffini Grimes | University of Alabama Senior Deputy Athletics Director |
 | Rocky Harris | USA Triathlon CEO |
 | Jessica Heims | University of Northern Iowa Paralympian (Track and Field) |
 | Zak Ivkovic | Executive Director CUNY Athletic Conference |
 | Stephanie Wheeler | Women's Wheelchair Basketball Coach and Paralympian (Wheelchair Basketball) |
 | Amy Wilson | NCAA Managing Director of Inclusion |
 | Justin Zook | St. Catherine University Head Coach and Paralympian (Swimming) |
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Jessica Heims, University of Northern Iowa
"College pushed my boundaries of who I thought I was, as well as who I wanted to be."
