The minor, Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities, is designed to familiarize and provide WCU students with in depth knowledge, skills and attitudes about the benefits of physical activity (and how to facilitate those benefits) for people with disabilities. Adapted physical activity is an umbrella term that encompasses physical education, exercise, recreation, dance, sport, fitness activities, and rehabilitation for individuals with disabilities across the life span. This minor is open to students in any major. However, the Adapted Physical Education minor is especially suited for the interests/career options of students majoring in health and physical education teacher certification, exercise science, special education, and students in professional studies.

 

This program is also an opportunity for service learning projects.

 

What is service learning in the West Chester University Adapted Physical Education Minor Program?

 

Service learning is the basis for ALL we do in the Adapted Physical Education Minor. West Chester University students enrolled in this minor will accumulate at least 200 hours working with children with disabilities in Physical Education by the time they graduate. Service learning is providing community service while learning the objectives of a class or program. This is an important aspect of the West Chester University Adapted Physical Education program. Most service learning opportunities are tied to courses within the minor. The students begin their service learning experience in their sophomore year with the Introduction to Adapted PE course (KIN 205/206) while working in the "on-campus" Adapted PE program on Wednesday nights. In addition, students spend at least 10 hours in Adapted Swim Sports class (KIN 253) working with a Chester County Special Olympics Soccer Team.

 

Adapted P.E. students become instructors in the on-campus Wednesday night Service Learning in Physical Education for Students with Disabilities program.   While enrolled in KIN 362, Assessment for Students with Disabilities, students teach 55 children with various disabilities whose ages range between five and twenty-one. Adapted P.E. minors spend two afternoons with Adapted PE teachers in the West Chester and Downingtown area school districts. Lastly, in KIN 400, the WCU students spend 3 days and 3 nights at Camp Abilities PA, a sports weekend for children who are blind.  The Adapted PE students coach the children partaking in this camp in many different sports as well as adventure based, team-building and nutrition education.