A defining characteristic of an excellent physical education program is that it includes students with a diverse range of abilities, needs, interests and learning styles in meaningful learning experiences. The term Inclusive Physical Education reflects a program where respect and acceptance of all students, specifically students with disabilities, is an essential component of the classroom environment and teaching strategies.

Inclusion is about creating a classroom in which every student is welcomed, valued, respected and enabled to reach his her full potential. In a successful Inclusive Physical Education program, all students are fully engaged in instructional activities, sharing equally and learning together. Although the activities may be modified or adapted, students with disabilities learn the same concepts, skills, and content as all other students in the class. The result is educational equity and access for all students!

Inclusive Physical Education requires educators to believe in the concept that success for each student can be different. The educator must be willing to modify and adapt lessons and activities to ensure that every student learns and achieves success at his own pace and according to his own abilities. Educators see the abilities of all students as contributing to the whole class. Effective teaching for students with disabilities is basically the same as effective teaching for all students.