Adaptive Abilities

Inclusion in Cheer: Empowering Through Unity

Inclusive cheerleading is a dynamic, empowering sport that opens the door for athletes of all abilities to shine. It fosters a sense of belonging and celebrates diversity, welcoming individuals with a range of physical, intellectual, and developmental abilities to participate. 

By emphasizing teamwork, confidence-building, and personal growth, inclusive cheer creates a supportive environment where everyone can contribute, excel, and experience the joy of sports. This movement not only highlights each athlete’s unique strengths but also enriches the entire cheer community, fostering friendships and understanding across diverse backgrounds and abilities.

In inclusive cheer, athletes have two main pathways: competitive and non-competitive (sideline) cheer. 

Competitive inclusive cheer teams focus on training for structured routines and performances, participating in local, regional, national, and even international competitions. These teams offer athletes the excitement of competition, the chance to set performance goals, and the opportunity to showcase their skills to a larger audience. 

Non-competitive inclusive cheer, on the other hand, emphasizes spirit and support at live sporting events, with sideline cheer teams engaging crowds, rallying for school or community teams, and fostering an inclusive environment through a shared love of cheer. 

Both pathways celebrate the unique talents of each athlete, enabling participants to find their fit in an inclusive, supportive cheer community.

Options for joining an inclusive cheer team for competition are growing, especially with more organizations and competitions adopting inclusive divisions. Here are some key avenues:

  1. Special Olympics Unified Sports: Offers Unified Cheerleading teams where athletes with and without intellectual disabilities cheer together. Special Olympics hosts competitions that allow inclusive cheer teams to perform and compete. Athletes train for one competition in a Season and have the opportunity to compete at third party events.
  2. Move United Adaptive Cheer Programs: Move United is a national organization that partners with local adaptive sports programs to provide inclusive cheer opportunities for individuals with disabilities. While Move United doesn’t directly organize competitive cheer teams, it connects athletes with community-based adaptive cheer programs that may offer performances and exhibitions at local or regional events.
  3. All-Star Cheer Gyms with Inclusive Programs: Some cheer gyms offer CheerAbilities programs, supported by the USASF. These adaptive cheer teams include athletes with a variety of abilities and can compete in regional and national cheer events.
  4. School-Based Unified Cheer Teams: Many middle and high schools have adopted Unified Cheer programs under initiatives like Unified Sports. These teams perform at school events and sometimes participate in Unified competitions or showcases.
  5. Local and Regional Cheer Competitions: Some major cheer organizations, like Varsity All Star and NCA, have divisions specifically for inclusive teams, allowing adaptive teams to compete and perform alongside traditional teams.
  6. Recreational and Community Cheer Programs: Community centers, YMCAs, and other local organizations often have inclusive cheer programs with opportunities for performance and, sometimes, informal competition. These programs focus on inclusion and skill development rather than formal competitive structures.

Inclusive sideline cheer options are widely available, especially through schools, community programs, and sports organizations that embrace Unified Sports and adaptive cheer teams. Here are the main options:

  1. Special Olympics Sideline Cheer: In addition to competition teams, some Special Olympics programs offer sideline cheer teams that participate at Special Olympics sporting events, cheering on athletes in various sports. These teams are fully inclusive, with members cheering at events within the Special Olympics community.
  2. Move United Adaptive Sideline Cheer: Move United partners with community-based adaptive sports programs to offer inclusive cheer options. While Move United itself doesn’t organize cheer teams, they connect athletes to local adaptive sports organizations that may have sideline cheer programs.
  3. School-Based Unified Sideline Cheer: Many middle and high schools have developed Unified cheer programs where athletes with and without disabilities cheer together at school sports events. These teams support school spirit at games and pep rallies, creating an inclusive environment for students of all abilities.
  4. All-Star Cheer Gyms with CheerAbilities Sideline Teams: Some All-Star gyms offer adaptive teams that focus on sideline cheer rather than competitive routines. These teams perform at local events and may also support community sports teams, providing athletes with disabilities a chance to participate in cheer without a competitive focus.
  5. Community-Based and Recreational Programs: Community centers, YMCAs, and recreation departments often host inclusive or adaptive cheer programs focused on sideline cheering. These teams typically perform at local sports events and focus on building confidence, teamwork, and community spirit.
  6. Collegiate Inclusive Cheer Programs: Some colleges have adopted inclusive sideline cheer programs to support school sports and encourage diversity within their cheer teams. This is a growing area, particularly as more universities focus on accessibility and inclusivity in athletics.

Inclusive cheerleading provides athletes of all abilities the chance to participate fully, whether through the thrill of competition or the team spirit of sideline cheer. By offering both competitive and non-competitive options, inclusive cheer empowers each athlete to find their unique role, build confidence, and create lasting friendships. 

This sport champions diversity, belonging, and the belief that everyone has something valuable to contribute. Inclusive cheer not only elevates individuals but also strengthens communities, showing that the power of teamwork and positive energy has no boundaries.

ELEVATING ATHLETES: MOVE UNITED AND ADAPTIVE ABILITIES CHEER

Move United is a national leader in adaptive sports, committed to empowering youth and adults with physical disabilities through inclusive athletic opportunities. By providing access to sports and recreation, Move United helps individuals build confidence, develop skills, and connect with their communities. Guided by the belief that everyone deserves a chance to participate, Move United promotes resilience, health, and community strength through the transformative power of sport.

USA Cheer’s partnership with Move United expands access to cheer for athletes with physical disabilities, following the guidelines of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and International Cheer Union (ICU).

Move United’s competitive cheer programs are designed for athletes with disabilities, following the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) guidelines. Eligible impairments include:

  • Impaired muscle power: Conditions like spinal cord injury or muscular dystrophy.
  • Impaired passive range of movement: Joint restrictions due to conditions such as arthrogryposis.
  • Limb deficiency: Congenital limb absence or amputation.
  • Leg length difference: Significant discrepancies in leg length.
  • Short stature: Conditions resulting in reduced height, such as achondroplasia.
  • Hypertonia: Increased muscle tension, as seen in cerebral palsy.
  • Ataxia: Coordination issues due to neurological conditions.
  • Athetosis: Involuntary movements stemming from conditions like cerebral palsy.
  • Visual impairment: Ranging from partial vision loss to total blindness.
  • Intellectual impairment: Limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior.

Adaptive Abilities

Adaptive Abilities Cheer is tailored to athletes who may not meet qualifications for Move United but have diverse physical abilities, ensuring a safe and supportive environment to perform and excel. Adaptive Abilities Cheer is designed for athletes with one or more of the 11 eligible impairments:

    • Impaired muscle power
    • Impaired passive range of movement
    • Limb deficiency
    • Leg length difference
    • Short stature
    • Hypertonia
    • Ataxia
    • Athetosis
    • Visual impairment
    • Intellectual impairment
  • Hearing impairment (included by ICU as participation grows)

Athletes in Adaptive Abilities Cheer perform side-by-side, demonstrating strength, resilience, and unity, while classification systems ensure fair, sport-specific participation. This program is more than competition; it’s a space where athletes can redefine their potential, inspire their communities, and connect in lasting ways.

Moments That Inspire

Join the Movement

Take the first step in supporting Adaptive Abilities Cheer and Move United’s mission to empower athletes with physical disabilities. Whether you’re an athlete looking to participate, a volunteer ready to make an impact, or a coach dedicated to fostering inclusion, this is your chance to help redefine possibilities in sports. Access training resources, explore opportunities to get involved, and become part of a community that celebrates strength, resilience, and unity. 

To learn more about coaching, becoming an athlete, or supporting our mission, reach out to Lee Trudell Ltrudell@usacheer.org or Click here to get started.

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