Check Your Fear at the Door: Allowing Students With Disabilities the “Dignity of Risk” in Physical Education

Abstract

: Some teachers may think that having students with disabilities participate in a separate activity is the correct decision because they are reducing the risk of injury, but this type of exclusion causes students with disabilities to miss out on many of the unique and integral benefits of physical education. In some cases, teachers are extra cautious when their students are in physical education, but a main goal for physical education should be to encourage self-determination and encourage all students to be part of the lesson. Modifications and variations to activities can be made that promote involvement by students with disabilities yet keep them safe while they engage in reasonable risk.