PSIA-AASI Joins Move United to Grow Adaptive Sports Participation

PSIA-AASI has joined Move United, the national leader in community adaptive sports, as an Inclusion Champion to help provide access and inspiration to more adaptive athletes across the country.

As an Inclusion Champion, PSIA-AASI affirms the association’s commitment to be part of the inclusion movement and reach a more diverse group of Americans, publicly demonstrate its commitment to inclusion, gain access to additional social media tools and free adaptive sports online training and resources, and be promoted by Move United as an inclusion partner with use of Move United imagery and tools.

Here, Move United Senior Education Manager Krista Rappoccio provides additional insight into how this cooperative effort will benefit both associations, and provide more resources for adaptive sports athletes to reach their goals. She also details how PSIA-AASI members can download the Move United Inclusive Playbook, and participate in the virtual Move United Education Conference taking place May 10-14.

MoveUnited Logo

Please share an overview of Move United, and the organization’s impact and goals?

Move United is the national leader in community adaptive sports, empowering 100,000 youth and adults with disabilities each year to live to their fullest potential. Move United’s 200 member organization – in 43 states – is united by a single mission: ensuring everyone, regardless of ability, experiences the life-changing power of sport, and is fully included in their community.

Move United, an Affiliate of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to become physically and emotionally stronger through participation in 70 adaptive sports. Established in 1956, Move United offers community-based sports recreation, education and competition that push people further, bring people closer and leave no one on the sidelines. Join our MOVEment.

What would you like PSIA-AASI members to know about Move United’s Inclusive Playbook and Champions Program, and how they can impact and inform the work of professional snowsports instructors?

The Inclusive Playbook ensures that all youth have an equal opportunity to participate in sports and recreation in their schools, teams and communities. A first of its kind workbook, Move United’s Inclusive Playbook is geared toward elementary school students and will help bridge the gap between individuals with and without disabilities at a young age through conversations, dialogue and activities. The Inclusive Playbook is designed for school-aged children in grades 3-6, and includes an Inclusive Playmat to engage school aged children in grades K-2.

To support educators, coaches, parents and community leaders in the implementation of this material, Move United also created an instructional guide with lesson plans, activity worksheets, and additional resources geared for youth. Kids will also be able to experience the power of adaptive sport through Move United’s virtual reality videos and goggles that accompany the class sets of the Inclusive Playbook. The Inclusive Playbook is free for all that want to engage in this important conversation to change the narrative around disability and is available as a digital download.

Move United Senior Education Manager Krista Rappoccio

Move United Senior Education Manager Krista Rappoccio.

How do you see PSIA-AASI members impacting and informing the work you do?

We believe in a world where every person, regardless of ability, is included in sport. The Inclusive Playbook not only fuels conversation, it brings people together as part of this movement – it’s already been reviewed by over 50+ adaptive sports professionals and educators across the United States, and the Inclusive Playbook was beta tested with children across various age groups to make sure it lives up to its name.

In addition to the creation of the Inclusive Playbook, Move United announced a call to action for organizations to become Inclusion Champions – groups across the youth, sports and education landscapes who support this educational tool and champion the values of inclusion, equity, diversity and access across all communities. We are happy to announce the commitment of our early champions including PSIA-AASI.

Move United envisions that members of PSIA-AASI will utilize the Inclusive Playbook and its supplemental resources to inform their work with youth and to make sure there are created opportunities for athletes with disabilities. In return, Move United hopes PSIA-AASI members will share their experience in using the Inclusive Playbook back to Move United by emailing  and share the Inclusive Playbook with family, friends and colleagues to help champion the message of inclusion!

Additional opportunities for PSIA-AASI members regarding the Inclusive Playbook?

We are excited to invite you to join us for the official launch of the Inclusive Playbook, and to learn more about all the highlighted products mentioned in this interview, during our 2021 Move United Education Conference taking place this year virtually, from May 10-14. You can register for free and don’t forget to sign up for the Inclusive Playbook Announcement session on Thursday, May 13, 2021!