I am currently a teaching assistant for Texas Woman’s University. I recently an adapted physical educator and special educator in the Detroit, Michigan area and now working towards his doctorate degree at Texas Women’s University. My passion is to improve awareness of the importance of adapted physical education for children with special needs. As a graduate student at Wayne State University in 2013, I analyzed Camp Abilities throughout the nation and developed Camp Abilities Michigan. Camp Abilities is a sports and recreational program designed for individuals with visual impairments. In addition, I have developed the “What’s New in APE” podcast that is starting to sweep through the nation providing insight into the profession through interviews panels of APE professionals. The podcast provides an untapped means of easily receiving updates and best practices regarding the adapted physical education profession.

Essay: Podcasting

The Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Education Act (IDIEA), enacted in 1975 and last reauthorized in 2004, mandates that children and youth ages 3 to 21 years with disabilities are provided a free and appropriate public education. IDIEA (2004) ensures that students served in special education receive physical education (PE) and this must occur within the least restrictive environment (LRE). According to the Government Accountability Office (2010), schools face various challenges in achieving successful inclusion in PE, particularly pertaining to the lack of support from special education administrators lack of accessibility to curriculum, lack of LRE options, and a lack of preparation of general PE teachers to effectively teach students with disabilities. Findings from the GAO indicate there may be a need for additional specially trained PE and school administrators in order to effectively provide PE services to students with disabilities.
I believe that using podcast to reach people with disabilities is a wonderful and untapped way to further communication and networking among all people with disabilities. Specifically for my research, I want to use podcast to inform special education administrators about the importance of health and physical education for people with disabilities. After I successful create podcast to reach that population of professionals, I will work to inform and give podcast access to parents of children with disabilities. In these podcast we will inform them about legislation and health, as well as how to properly help their children stay active and healthy.