Schools must include students with disabilities in sports

Schools must make "reasonable modifications" for students with disabilities seeking to compete in after-school sports, the U.S. Department of Education announced today in a letter intended to clarify federal laws on inclusion. For example, schools can use a flashing light as a race starter for a runner who is deaf or hard of hearing, department officials wrote. "It's really affording them access to terrific social situations that will hopefully break down some of the barriers and discrimination we've seen in the past," said Lindsay Jones of the Council for Exceptional Children. USA Today (1/25)  http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/01/24/disabilities-high-school-sports/1862105/