Adapted physical education provides a modified physical education program to students who have motor developmental delays. The adapted physical education (PE) teacher addresses the unique needs of the students to ensure their access to the general physical education curriculum.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Public Law 108-466 (2004), states that physical education is a required service for children and youth between the ages of three to 21 who qualify for Special Education services because of a specific disability or developmental delay.
The Federal Law (PL 94-142, PL 101-476, PL 105-17, PL 108-446) mandates the following in regard to PE and students with disabilities:
Section §300.26 Special Education defines PE as the development of physical and motor skills, fundamental motor skills and patterns (throwing, catching, walking, running, etc.) and skills in aquatics, dance, individual and group games and sports (including intramural and lifetime sports).
Hometown Huddle
Adapted Athletics
The mission of adapted athletics is to provide Jeffco students with disabilities the same opportunity as other students to enjoy the benefits of a quality middle school or high school sports program; becoming active members in society who lead healthy lifestyles.
Adapted Game Rules and Guidelines
Students in Action
Adapted Athletics Hockey Day 2023
More than twenty Jeffco middle and high schools with an SSN (Significant Support Needs) program participated in the Adapted Athletics Hockey Day at Bear Creek High School. The mission of Adapted Athletics is to provide Jeffco students with unique needs the same opportunities as other students to enjoy the benefits of a quality middle school or high school sports program; becoming active members in society who lead healthy lifestyles.
Unified Bowling Expands to Nine Jeffco League Teams
Unified Bowling has grown by leaps and bounds this school year. Unified Bowling was launched as a CHSAA sanctioned sport just before COVID hit in 2020. That hurdle has taken a few years to really grow participating schools. This year, Jeffco has nine schools participating.
A Really Nice Gift
Students with autism at one Jeffco elementary school get a cool ride, thanks to a community effort. Jeffco Public Schools Multimedia Journalist Jack Maher reports.
Organizations for Students
National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD)
Learn more about winter, spring, summer and fall recreational and competitive sports and camps for people with disabilities, as well as the International Congress on Adapted Sport. Individuals, groups and families are welcome!
Skiing and Winter Adventures Adaptive
Register your group for the Adaptive Sports Center in Crested Butte, CO.
Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind Athletics
Get more information on attending football, volleyball, wrestling, basketball and track events!
Recreational Programs for Students
There are a variety of camps, recreational programs, outdoor recreation and other resources for students with special needs across the state. Below is a list that provides some details about the programs offered. While Jeffco Schools doesn’t endorse any of these specific programs, we encourage you to visit the websites, request a brochure and find the one that best suits your child’s needs. Many locations offer scholarship assistance and year-round programs.
- Camps
- Recreational Programs
- Other Resources
Camps
Adam’s Camp
Snow Mountain Ranch, Winter Park, CO
This camp serves ages four and up. The mission is to maximize the strengths and potential of each child and young adult with special needs. There are sessions dedicated to Spanish-speaking families. You can choose day or overnight camp.
American Diabetes Association Camp Colorado
Colorado Springs, CO
This traditional summer camp is for youth with diabetes. Participants learn about healthy lifestyles while gaining self-confidence and independence.
Aspen Camp for DHH
Aspen, CO
Aspen Camp has programs for students and adults who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH). The programs are both educational and experiential. Participants work to develop self-awareness and critical thinking skills, as well as preparation for employment.
Children’s Hospital of Colorado Camps
Various locations throughout Colorado
Children’s Hospital of Colorado provides many camps for young people, including physical therapy and rehab summer camps, talking with technology camp, camps for kids with cancer and cancer survivors, cleft camps, and more.
Colorado Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp
Aurora, CO
This day camp is for children ages five to 18 who use a wheelchair for sports and are independent in feeding and personal care. Sessions include youth and adult sports such as wheelchair basketball, tennis, softball, hand-cycling and rugby.
Colorado Lions Camp
Woodland Park, CO
Colorado Lions Camp offers numerous programs to meet the needs of children with mild to moderate disabilities.
Easter Seals
Rocky Mountain Village -Empire, CO
The Easter Seals provide a wide variety of programs for all abilities. You can choose a day or overnight camp.They run one-week sessions by age and disability.
Sky High Hope Camp
Bellevue, CO
The Sky High Hope Camp is a program of the Ronald McDonald House. This is a traditional overnight camp for children ages eight to 18 who have cancer. Siblings are accepted when space is available.
United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA)
Colorado Springs, CO
The USABA mission is to empower Americans who are blind and visually impaired to experience life-changing opportunities in sports, recreation and physical activities.
The Youth National Sports Festival features competition in track and field, goal ball and power lifting for elite athletes, as well as developmental clinics in judo, tandem cycling and wrestling.
Recreational Programs
Adaptive Sports Association
Durango, CO
Adaptive Sports Association offers year-round sports and outdoor recreational experiences for people with disabilities and their families.
Adaptive Sports Center
Crested Butte, CO
Year-round adventure experiences are provided for people with disabilities and their families.
Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC)
Breckenridge, CO
BOEC offers summer camps and year-round activities for people with disabilities and their families.
Challenge Aspen
Snowmass, CO
Year-round activities are provided for people with disabilities and their families, including arts and sports.
Colorado Avalanche Sled Hockey
Rocky Mountain, CO
Sled hockey is played in specially designed sleds for youth and young adults.
Colorado Special Olympics
This program serves ages eight to adult. They offer year-round sports training and athletic competition in 22 different sports for children and adults with developmental disabilities. There are four annual sports seasons in the High Plains area.
Disabled Sports USA
These national sports programs are for all ages and disabilities. Check out the calendar for adaptive adventures month by month.
Golf 4 the Disabled
National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD)
Winter Park, CO
NSCD offers year-round activities for people with disabilities and their families.
Praying Hands Ranch
Parker, CO
This camp offers year-round programs on horseback in a ranch environment. This includes hippotherapy, equineand horticultural therapies, harness driving and a petting farm.
Recreation and Inclusive Services for Everyone (RISE) Above
Special Needs Scouting
Special Needs Scouting is offered by the Boy Scouts of America Greater Colorado Council.
Wilderness on Wheels
Grant, CO, on U.S. 285
Wilderness on Wheels opens between mid-April and mid-October. It provides an accessible eight-foot boardwalk that takes you on a gentle climb into a mountain environment. You can hike, fish, camp or plan a picnic or a cookout.
Other Resources
Access Gallery
The Access Gallery promotes the creative power of people with disabilities.
Disability Resource Directory for Colorado
The directory includes links to disability organizations and agencies in Colorado.
Great Outdoors Colorado
Outdoor opportunities include family members of all ages and abilities.
National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
This resource has a calendar of events by state, monthly newsletter, discussion groups, research on physical activities and more.
The Arc of Colorado
The Arc of Colorado is an advocacy group for people with developmental disabilities. You will find links to other agencies and organizations.
Contact Us
Special Education
Special Education Community Support Line: 303-982-6682
Child Find Intake: 303-982-7247
Records Request:spedrecords@jeffco.k12.co.us
