Paralympic Inclusion
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.
The multifaceted recommendation brings stakeholders together to launch the Para-College Inclusion Project. Through the effort, a shared plan will include commitments to: (1) conduct Paralympic/collegiate research on national adaptive sport programming, (2) collectively promote adaptive sports, and (3) connect school leaders that have adaptive programs with U.S. Paralympic leaders to strengthen sport structures.
Rationale
With growing interest from athletes and NCAA member schools with adaptive sports programs, there are vast opportunities to enrich understanding of national adaptive sport trends through shared best practices on building adaptive sport operations on campus. Aggregating and sharing this information across stakeholders would help generate sport growth from grassroots through the elite level. As Paralympic sport awareness continues to grow across our country, the college system will see more interest from young athletes aspiring to further their educational and athletic pursuits through higher education. This may also benefit schools looking to increase enrollment and expand inclusive offerings on campus.
Impact
Increased collaboration in the Paralympic space will provide schools with a better understanding of adaptive sport sponsorship trends, allowing them to make informed decisions about future programming on campus. As adaptive sport awareness grows, schools may seek to establish or increase programming. This growth will also benefit adaptive student-athletes looking for college participation opportunities. Additionally, through this project, the NCAA Office of Inclusion and USOPC will both be able to advance their shared goal of promoting inclusive sport opportunities.
The Paralympic inclusion working group recommends integrating a World Para Athletics event (wheelchair track and field) during an NCAA DI outdoor track and field championship to continue promoting and growing Para sport opportunities at the college level. View the Paralympic inclusion championship concept: PDF | Google Docs.
The U.S. Paralympic Team collegiate footprint continues to grow – from 40% in 2016 to more than 50% in 2021. Two-hundred and forty two current, former or incoming collegiate student-athletes from 76 different schools represented Team USA during the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. View the Tokyo 2020 collegiate Paralympic participation highlights: PDF | Google Docs.
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) |
Jessica Heims, University of Northern Iowa
"College pushed my boundaries of who I thought I was, as well as who I wanted to be."
