Paralympians bring lessons in inclusion to JMU

Four Team USA Paralympians visited James Madison University Monday, giving students a firsthand look at how adaptive sports can break down barriers and create more inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities.  

The annual Paralympic Skill Lab (PSL), held at UREC, brought together students from athletic training, occupational therapy, physical and health education teacher education, exercise science, coaching education and other disciplines for hands-on learning experiences led by elite athletes and adaptive sport experts.  

Now in its 11th year, the program was designed to help future educators, health professionals, coaches and recreation leaders better understand disability, accessibility and inclusive practices. Students participated in collaborative discussions and skill based adaptive sport stations while learning directly from Paralympic athletes and community partners.  

"The Paralympic Skill Lab gives students an opportunity to move beyond textbooks and learn directly from athletes who have achieved success at the highest levels of sport," said Dr. Cathy McKay, the JMU kinesiology professor who founded the event. "Each year, we see students gain a deeper understanding of inclusion, accessibility and the impact they can have in creating opportunities for others."  

Among the featured athletes were Trevon “Trey” Jenifer, a four-time Paralympian and three-time gold medal-winning wheelchair basketball player; Nicky Nieves, a three-time Paralympic gold medalist in sitting volleyball; Eliana Mason Young, a Paralympic goalball medalist; and Chayse Wolf, a wheelchair basketball and wheelchair handball athlete.  

The event also included skill station leadership from members of the Charlottesville Cardinals wheelchair basketball program and adaptive sport educators from Old Dominion University and the University of Virginia.  

The PSL is supported through partnerships among JMU’s departments of kinesiology and health professions, University Recreation and the Morrison Bruce Center.