Special Olympics barrs girl with Service Dog

[AbbyK9]

Special Olympics denies student with special needs - chicagotribune.com

Jenny Youngwith and her parents were excited when Special Olympics arrived at West Chicago Community High School offering after-school sports programs for students with special needs.

The 17-year-old with developmental disabilities, who fatigues easily because of a respiratory problem, wanted to play on the school's Special Olympics basketball team. She would get to wear the school's blue and white Wildcats uniform in games against other schools and be in the yearbook and on the Web site. She would feel included, which for any teen — especially a special-needs student — is a big deal.

The Carol Stream girl signed up and, with her service dog, began practicing with the team. But just before the first game in 2009, Special Olympics told her parents that Youngwith could not play.

[crisp]

Sad story. It sounds like with the lawsuit everyone is losing out: the school, the kids. I'm surprised the Special Olympics wouldn't make a consideration of some sort.

[Asche-zu-Staub]

this has illegal written all over it...aren't there laws against not allowing service animals in places? The girl has played 6 years with this dog by her side...there was no reason they should have excluded her. This makes me very sad. IMO, she was more than capable of playing, especially if she was just going to throw the ball in to start the game.

[DogGone]

I would think that Special Olympics organizers we want to set a good example as far as “reasonable and fair accommodation” for people with disabilities.

I wonder what the alleged grounds were for not allowing her to play in the games, and if they even offered a reason.

I would be concerned about the safety hazard of players possibly tripping over, getting tangled up in and or breaking the oxygen line. It seems like that may be somewhat of a safety hazard. I would hope that it would have a quick disconnect that was a breakaway style to reduce the odds of it being a trip hazard, strangulation hazard, etc….

[arycrest]

Eunice Shriver is probably spinning in her grave over this terrible decision. Hope the rule (if there is one) is recinded!

[AbbyK9]

I can see them barring her from participating on the basketball team for the reasons that DogGone cited, that it might be a tripping hazard or otherwise dangerous to the other players and also to the dog if the Service Dog were in the game and connected to its handler by the hoses from the oxygen tank.

What I don't understand is why they prevented her from doing track if the dog was able to run in an empty lane next to her. That's something where the hoses from the oxygen tank would not be in anyone's way and there wouldn't really be a danger of her tripping over them, someone else tripping over them, someone stepping on the dog, etc.

[Liesje]

I can understand some of the concerns but the article states she's already been playing bball, including the dog, with another organization. I wonder what their rules are and how the safety issues are addressed?

[guitarest]

Something is missing from the story, like the reason why....

[IllinoisNative]

Originally Posted by Liesje

I can understand some of the concerns but the article states she's already been playing bball, including the dog, with another organization. I wonder what their rules are and how the safety issues are addressed?

I agree. I understand some of the safety concerns BUT she was already playing with the dog for other organization. You would think if it was a safety concern, she wouldn't have been able to play at all.

Something doesn't sound right.