Hailey Remigio stopped her wheelchair in front of a group of about 15 people Wednesday night to tell them how she plays sports despite her disability.
The UF neuroscience student said she plays wheelchair tennis and noted that many sports can be adapted to suit players’ needs during a panel on including those with disabilities in sports and fitness environments. Five others spoke during the panel, which was held at the Reitz Union.
The event, hosted by UF Student Government and the Disability Resource Center, came after the Accessibility and Inclusion Expo, which aimed to educate UF students on embracing others.
Tony Delisle, a UF swimming alumnus who is legally blind, told the group that equal participation allows those who have disabilities to play with those who are able-bodied.
“It fosters social connections with people who don’t have disabilities so they can learn a little more about what we go through,” he said.
Remigio said it’s important for people to know that special adaptations to a game can allow more to participate.
“It helps you see how you can make the most out of what you can do instead of pointing out what you can’t,” Remigio said. “There’s no such thing as ‘can’t.’ It’s a matter of ‘how.’”
