Paralympic Inclusion

    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.



    Sandy Barbour

    Sandy Barbour

    Pennsylvania State University

    Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics


    Greg Byrne

    Greg Byrne

    University of Alabama

    University of Athletics


    Tiffini Grimes

    Tiffini Grimes

    University of Alabama

    Senior Deputy Athletics Director


    Rocky Harris

    Rocky Harris

    USA Triathlon

    CEO


    Jessica Heims

    Jessica Heims

    University of Northern Iowa

    Paralympian (Track and Field)


    Zak Ivkovic

    Zak Ivkovic

    Executive Director

    CUNY Athletic Conference


    Stephanie Wheeler

    Stephanie Wheeler

    Women's Wheelchair Basketball Coach and Paralympian (Wheelchair Basketball)


    Amy Wilson

    Amy Wilson

    NCAA

    Managing Director of Inclusion


    Justin Zook

    Justin Zook

    St. Catherine University

    Head Coach and Paralympian (Swimming)


    • Jessica Heims of Team United States competes in Women's Discus Throw
      Getty Images
    • Jessica Heims, University of Northern Iowa

      "College pushed my boundaries of who I thought I was, as well as who I wanted to be."

    United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee logo with a flag and rings, plus a flag and agitos.

    Follow us

    General

    • Accessibility
    • Finance
    • Governance
    • Privacy Policy , opens in a new tab
    • Terms of Use , opens in a new tab
    • Site Map

    © 2023 United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. All Rights Reserved.