The Adapted Physical Education Committee of Arizona Health and Physical Education advocates for equitable, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate physical education opportunities for students with disabilities. The committee provides leadership, resources, and professional development to support educators in delivering high-quality adapted physical education programs across Arizona schools. Through collaboration and advocacy, the committee works to ensure all students achieve physical literacy and enjoy lifelong physical activity.
APE Committee Chair – Leo Dorantes of Mesa Public Schools; dorantes@azhpe.org
Links to APE Organizations
Ability360:
A Center for Independent Living, otherwise known as a CIL, is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization run by people with disabilities, for people with disabilities to address needs and barriers within the community. Ability360 is located in Phoenix, Arizona and provides services throughout the state of Arizona.
MOVE United Sport:
Move United is the national leader in community adaptive sports. Their 241 member organizations in 45 states are united by a single mission: ensuring everyone, regardless of ability, experiences the life-changing power of sport and is included in their community. Each year, they empower over 120,000 youth and adults to redefine disability, build confidence, and grow stronger through participation in sports, including recreation, competition & education programs.
Arizona Disabled Sports:
https://www.arizonadisabledsports.com/
Their vision is a community that creates opportunities that empower individuals of all abilities through sports and recreation. Recognizing the importance of recreation and competitive opportunities that contribute to quality of life, the primary mission of AzDS is to provide a variety of programs and activities to individuals with disabilities. Through participation, the athlete will realize individual accomplishment, self-esteem, respect for themselves and others.
Arizona Disabled Sports offers two different types of programs which include adaptive opportunities for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities through the Team Mesa Programs as well as adaptive opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities through the Arizona Heat Physically Challenged programs.
Special Olympics Arizona:
https://specialolympicsarizona.org/
Special Olympics is a global movement of people creating a new world of inclusion and community, where every single person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability or disability. We are helping to make the world a better, healthier, and more joyful place—one athlete, one volunteer, and one family member at a time.
The University of Arizona Adaptive Sports:
https://adaptiveathletics.arizona.edu/
The largest and most successful collegiate-based program in the country, the University of Arizona Adaptive Athletics Program houses seven competitive teams as well as an adaptive fitness center. In its 50-year history, Adaptive Athletics has sent 51 athletes to the Paralympics and has won a number of national titles, making this program a leader in the adaptive and wheelchair sports community. With excellent disability and athletics resources, and weather that allows for competition and training year-round, the University of Arizona is home to a dynamic and vibrant wheelchair and adaptive sports community.