The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Adapted Physical Education program, which helps children with disabilities through physical activities, is facing a major setback after losing its federal funding.
For years, the program has allowed UWL graduate students to work closely with children with disabilities and their families. Through regular sessions, these students provide support and develop activities to improve the children’s motor and social skills.
Program director Brock McMullen explains the dual purpose of the program.
“Our goal is twofold,” McMullen said. “We want to prepare our students for their future careers, and we also want to serve the community by giving children with disabilities a chance to be physically active.”
One of the families who benefited from the program is that of Marlis O’Brien. Her son Erik, who has a genetic disorder that affects both his motor and cognitive skills, participated in the program for 18 years.
“Every Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., we attended sessions where they worked on different skills with him,” O’Brien recalled. “To the kids, it feels like play, but they’re actually building important abilities. The college students are incredible. They can encourage our children to do things we often can’t.”
However, the program’s future is now uncertain. The university recently learned that its $1.25 million federal grant will no longer be renewed. This cut could significantly reduce the number of children served.
“If we don’t have that federal funding, we can’t bring in graduate students to help us run the program during the school year or summer,” McMullen said. “Without that help, we might need to scale back the opportunities we provide to both our students and community members.”
For families like the O’Briens, this news is deeply troubling.
“It’s heartbreaking to think this might not continue,” O’Brien said. “In the Coulee Region, we’ve made so much progress toward being more inclusive. Our special needs children deserve the same chances as their peers. Losing this program would be a huge step backward for both our community and our children’s development.”
The future of the Adapted Physical Education program now depends on finding alternative funding sources to keep its vital services running.
