Bob CollinsThe federal government today ordered schools to either stop discriminating against “disabled” athletes who are qualified to play on sports teams, or start providing athletic programs for the “disabled” student. Schools can’t deny a disabled student a slot on a sports team because a coach believes he or she can’t compete.
This young woman is one of the reasons why the athlete with physical challenges just got to take a big step forward:
Mary Kate Callahan is, obviously, a swimmer. In 2011, she had to watch her Illinois high school team from the sidelines at a state tournament because the Illinois High School Association rejected her school’s request to add a race for disabled swimmer.
Her situation got the notice of the Illinois attorney general who filed a federal lawsuit. The high school association backed down and last fall, Ms. Callahan got to compete. Because she deserved to and deserved the opportunity.
