The laws regarding disabled students and school sports primarily revolve around ensuring equal access to athletic opportunities under federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Here's a breakdown of each option:
a. Schools must provide opportunities for disabled students to participate in school sports.
This statement is true. Under the ADA and Section 504, schools are required to provide equal opportunities for disabled students, which includes participation in sports.
b. Schools must create separate teams for disabled students.
This statement is not necessarily true. While schools can create separate teams or adaptive sports programs, they are not required to do so. Schools must make reasonable accommodations to allow disabled students to participate in existing teams.
c. Disabled students have a right to ask for athletic accommodations, but not necessarily to receive them.
This statement is somewhat misleading. While disabled students can request accommodations, schools are required to provide reasonable accommodations unless doing so would impose an undue burden or fundamentally alter the nature of the activity.
d. Disabled students must be allowed to participate in team sports as long as their disability doesn’t impede their athletic abilities.
This statement is misleading. Disabled students should be allowed to participate, but participation should be based on the ability to meet the requirements of the sport rather than their disability status alone. Accommodations can help them meet these requirements.
Overall, option a best captures the essence of the laws regarding participation in school sports for disabled students.
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