Donate today and be of part of creating opportunities where none exist or supporting those that do that now struggle due to budget cuts and a general lack of awareness of their programs' needs and the tremendous benefits to students with disabilities.

Federal laws and regulations, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, require that our schools provide equal opportunities for students with disabilities to participate in Physical Education and extracurricular programs offered to the non-disabled. This includes athletics.

Despite these laws and the known benefits of physical activity, especially for persons with disabilities, who suffer preventable illnesses and surgeries from secondary conditions related directly to inactively - parents, teachers and coaches continue to question whether students with disabilities are provided appropriate and similar opportunities compared to their peers without disabilities.

A recent report from the Government Accountability office (GAO) found that opportunities such as those provided by AAASP remain rare and recommended that the US Department of Education do more. Their recommendations included:

Schools must be aware of their legal responsibilities to students with disabilities so that there are consistent opportunities to participate in extracurricular athletics equal to those of other students.

Additional training for PE teachers and coaches is critical to improve their skills in working with youth with disabilities in offering and promoting quality physical education and extracurricular athletics in a mainstream setting.

Developing a central information resource center that can identify 'best practices' in PE and athletics programs for youth with disabilities can increase information sharing among schools, districts, and states, improve awareness of existing resources and ensure that this information is spread across the United States.

Focusing existing resources on helping schools provide opportunities in PE and extracurricular athletics could yield important benefits for both the students with and without a disability.

But for AAASP to respond to the inquires for help it receives, your help needed. Resources are threatened by a down economy and recent budget cuts that resulted in the elimination of government grants previously in place for adapted sports.

Join our cause today. Be a part of AAASP's team of supporters and partners helping to bring the necessary tools to our communities and schools to get these deserving students...off the sidelines and into the game.

Thank you.

• Making a secure donation online.
• Or send checks to: AAASP, P.O. Box 451047, Atlanta, GA 31145.

• Make a secure donation online by clicking on the Donate Now button next to the desired team
• Or send checks to: AAASP, P.O. Box 451047, Atlanta, GA 31145.

Team	Donate
AAASP, Inc.
Atlanta Wolfpack
Clayton Eagles
DeKalb Silver Streaks and Eagles
Fulton YMCA Mustangs
Gwinnett Heat
Henry Hurricanes
Houston Sharks
Muscogee Lions
North East Georgia reNEGAdes (Oconee and Clark County)
Richmond Dream Team
West Georgia Wolverines/Meriwether (and surrounding counties)

AAASP is a Federal 501(c)(3). All donations are tax deductible.