MODEL STATE
“The Georgia High School Association, the Georgia State legislature, and the Georgia Department of Education recognized the need for all students to be able to participate in interscholastic sports. The laws, funding, support and coordinated effort of all these entities have allowed the AAASP models to thrive in Georgia.” “Georgia is the model for other States as they look to provide adapted interscholastic sports opportunities.” — Bev Vaughn, Executive Director of AAASP
Partnership
The Georgia Department of Education is in a partnership initiative with the American Association of adaptedSPORTSTM Programs, Inc. to provide equitable access to interscholastic athletics for students with physical disabilities or visual impairments.
Through this partnership, districts have access to interscholastic athletic programs and services to implement from one to six sports. AAASP’s resources include Program Inception Grants and training of appropriate personnel.
Districts are encouraged to work with the GaDOE and AAASP to ensure that all of Georgia’s interested eligible students are fully engaged in interscholastic adapted athletics and that your system complies with federal mandates that relate to this very important educational initiative.
Governance
AAASP governs and sanctions all interscholastic adapted athletic programs in Georgia through a dual–governing alliance with the Georgia High School Association (GHSA). AAASP’s program complies with state and federal mandates, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, 2004 (IDEA).