OCR Standards

National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standards  (PDF)

OCR Dear Colleague Letter: Creating Equitable Opportunities for Children and Youth with Disabilities to Access Physical Education and Extracurricular Athletics (PDF)

Abstract: Extracurricular Activities

On January 25, 2013, OCR published a Dear Colleague letter which included guidance regarding the obligation to provide equal opportunities for students with disabilities with respect to their participation in athletic programs (i.e., intercollegiate, club, and intramural). Despite the fact that the letter addresses the participation of students in elementary and secondary school environments, OCR specifically noted that postsecondary institutions have similar obligations regarding the access and participation of students with disabilities.  The letter addressed the following issues:

• Participation in selective or competitive programs and activities;
• Obligations owed to students with disabilities;
• Behaviors and decisions that are considered discriminatory;
• Reasonable modifications determinations;
• Interactions with 3rd party associations, organizations, clubs and leagues including the provision of "significant assistance" to such entities; and
• Circumstances under which the interests and abilities of some students with disabilities cannot be as fully and effectively met by the... existing extracurricular athletics program.