A new program at Mississippi State is enabling persons with disabilities to closely share physical activities with individuals without disabilities.

The Unified Adapted Physical Activity Program is the brainchild of Dr. Daniel Webb, an assistant professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Sport. He established the recreational program with funding from the university's Schillig Special Teaching Grants program and the state Department of Rehabilitation Services.

Webb based the program on a similar one at Ohio State University, where he earned a doctorate in 1999. His idea for the endeavor began two years ago after joining the MSU faculty and observing that many students with disabilities were not participating in any type of organized physical activity.

From previous experience, he knew the MSU situation was not that unusual, since only about a half dozen schools in the entire country offer unified programs.

"I sought the assistance of the university's Office of Student Support Services to devise a survey that would determine if our students with disabilities would be interested in a recreational program involving them and able-bodied students," Webb said.

"In fact, we found they were very interested," he added, noting that the survey determined significant interest in swimming, strength and conditioning programs, and wheelchair basketball. The survey results were shared with the Office of Recreational Sports, which quickly agreed to make the programs available on a weekly basis at the Joe Frank Sanderson Center.

For the wheelchair basketball games, Webb had to locate specially made sport models that are much lighter and more maneuverable than normal "street" chairs. Because the average student can't plunk down several thousand dollars for such a vehicle, Webb searched until he located a vendor who would sell the university demonstrator chairs at a reduced price.

"We were able to buy 10 chairs for $6,000, which is a tremendous savings," he said. Obtaining 10 chairs was critical, since both disabled and able-bodied players will traverse the court in them. He hopes to offer wheelchair basketball in the spring semester.

Webb then recruited volunteers from his classes to assist with related activities. Graduate assistant Brandi Childers of Myrtle is working closely this year with Webb to inaugurate the program.

Although only eight of 24 physically challenged students in Webb's classes have signed up to date, Webb is confident the number will increase as the program matures.

"In addition to having fun while improving the general health of our students with disabilities, we feel this new program will do much to help further integrate them into the general populations of Mississippi State and the world beyond," he said.