Many people associate individuals with physical or mental disabilities with having an inability to participate in physical activities like sports. However, this is a common misconception: sports can substantially empower disabled people to excel past societal expectations and fight people’s implicit biases.

Sports teams allow people with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities to become involved in group situations that they would otherwise be excluded from due to their differences. Senior Andrew Karofsky, one of the founders of the Riverdale Intellectual Disabilities club, better known as Best Buddies, has experience in working with individuals with intellectual disabilities. Through his club, he has fundraised and planned several events with the Kingsbridge Heights Community Center. During the more physical and collaborative activities that he has organized there, Karofsky often sees people with intellectual disabilities as “happy and smiling a lot,” largely due to the fact that when they participate in activities like sports, their abilities, rather than their incapacities, are highlighted. Karofsky explained, “there is generally such a stigma associated with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD), where people are automatically perceived negatively in society. That perception can cause them to be excluded in education, in searching for jobs, and gaining friendships. Sports have the ability to allow people to be included and enable others to see beyond the negative connotations associated with IDDs.” 

Two years ago, junior Julia Jarvis co-founded Riverdale’s Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) branch, which operates during activity periods. Like Best Buddies, her club works to generate support and raise money for those with disabilities. Jarvis explained, “We have met with everyone, from a little kid who wanted to go swimming to an Olympic athlete. Sports give people a purpose and drive. What [our] organization shows is the importance of exercise but also that having a disability should not stop you from doing an everyday thing.”

Director of Athletic Training and Safety, Katie Gendron, elaborated on how sports are so much more than just an activity: “a lot of the empowerment that comes with sports is universal whether you are living with disabilities or not. It puts you in a leadership role and encourages teamwork. There are so many positives of sports you can take away.” 

Furthermore, for those living with a disability that restricts them from enjoying many of the physical activities that able-bodied people partake in, any engagement in a sport may bring power in knowing that their disability is not preventing them from doing what makes them happy, even if there are some limitations. The University of Rochester Medical Center found that children with disabilities who are involved in sports have better emotional and psychological health, improved social skills, enhanced motor skills, and a greater self-esteem. 

Fortunately, over the past few decades, activists and legislators have made great strides to destigmatize conversations about disabilities and improve disability rights. For example, in 1973, lawmakers banned disability discrimination in the United States and secured the right for athletes with disabilities to have access to sports offered at school through the Rehabilitation Act. Although many needed laws followed, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Rehabilitation Act provided the basis for disability rights and activism in America.

In fact, during the Paralympics Games in Tokyo this summer, for the first time in history, NBC will broadcast 1,200 hours of Special Olympics events to the world. The athletes will be competing in 28 different sports, including wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, and archery. 

Ultimately, since substantial efforts still need to be made to increase our support for these individuals, it is imperative that we take action in raising awareness about disabled rights, educate ourselves on their struggles, and, most importantly, tackle our internalized misconceptions. You can support athletes with disabilities by tuning in to the Tokyo Paralympics on August 24th, donating to the Best Buddies and Challenged Athletes Foundations, and educating those around you about these efforts for inclusion.