Everyone should have the opportunity to play lacrosse and feel included, accepted, and valued, regardless of their ability or disability. Some athletes with disabilities can and do participate in “mainstream” lacrosse programs at all levels of play.
For many others, it is beneficial to participate in a modified version of the game that is designed specifically for the inclusion, safety, and enjoyment of people with disabilities. This is known as Adaptive Lacrosse.
To help accommodate all players as well as the organizations that seek to serve people with disabilities, several years ago USA Lacrosse created a set of guidelines for Adaptive Lacrosse.
The newest version of USA Lacrosse’s Adaptive Lacrosse Guidebook is now available for free download.
“People with disabilities deserve the same opportunities to play lacrosse as everybody else. Most people would agree with this, but they may not know where or how to start,” said Shawn Maloney, regional manager for USA Lacrosse and principal editor for the updated guidebook. “The Adaptive Lacrosse Guidebook is designed to provide a starting point and to help local lacrosse organizations include players with various disabilities in their programming.”
One of the main takeaways in the updated guidebook is that a key step in starting a successful adaptive lacrosse program is to develop partnerships with the people and organizations who are already serving athletes with disabilities in your area.
These potential community partners include established adaptive sports organizations, the Special Olympics, local parks and recreation departments, as well local school districts with experienced special education teachers and programs.
Statistics from the Pew Research Center indicate that there are 7.3 million students with disabilities, grades K-12, in U.S. public schools. That number represents 15-percent of all enrolled students.
“We recommend starting with your personal network and then branching out to see what support groups exist in your community,” Maloney said.
One of the most important strategies for developing any adaptive sport program is to collaborate with, listen to, and learn directly from the local disability community. This collaborative approach is often essential for gaining trust and removing barriers. Engaging with experienced athletes with disabilities to serve as coaches, mentors, and role models is also highly recommended.
The guidebook provides suggested coaching strategies, implementation plans, and valuable operating tips, ranging from program structure and communications plans to the use of proper terminology and appropriate scheduling.
Information about a mentor’s program that can provide additional support is also included.
“The strategies highlighted in the guidebook have been gathered from leading disability sport organizations as well as from experienced adaptive lacrosse coaches and program administrators,” Maloney said. “Our goal is to simply encourage and support all those who are embracing the opportunity to make their community more accessible to athletes with disabilities.”
The guidebook also includes a section about mainstream inclusion, in which athletes with disabilities choose to participate in mainstream formats of lacrosse play at all levels, from youth to the pros.
“Starting an adaptive lacrosse program is more than just ‘the right thing to do.’ It can grow participation and enrich the experience of your entire community,” Maloney said. “The strategies in this guidebook will help your organization become more accessible, innovative, and individualized — and that helps everyone.”
