Disabled Athletes Find Opportunities At Dallas School

The Associated Press

http://www.sfgate.com/news/texas/article/Disabled-athletes-find-arena-at-Dallas-high-school-4266668.php

The constant clanging of iron weights used by student athletes sounded throughout a workout room at Woodrow Wilson High School. But for varsity football player Montray Roberts, there was silence.

The 17-year-old is deaf, as are some other students who were lifting weights that day at the Dallas ISD campus.

The East Dallas school doubles as a regional school for the deaf, and the staff and students are probably among the most accepting when it comes to those with hearing difficulties. Many of the kids have had deaf classmates since attending regional elementary and middle schools for the deaf that feed into Woodrow.

But now public schools throughout the country are getting the message that disabled students must be included in sports programs at all education levels.

The U.S. Department of Education issued a directive last month that public schools ensure disabled students can participate in extracurricular athletics. If that’s not possible, the schools should provide them with equal alternative options, such as wheelchair basketball.