Leveling the playing field or leveling the players? Section 504, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and interscholastic sports

Schools are faced with a growing body of case law outlining the legal limit s regulating the participation of students with disabilities in interschola stic sports. This article provides a systematic synthesis, including jurisd ictional differences, of the agency and court rulings that apply Section 50 4, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Individuals with Disabiliti es Education Act to interscholastic athletics. This comprehensive framework also provides insight into how these federal statutes likely pertain to th e participation of students with disabilities in other extracurricular acti vities. The article concludes with recommendations for prudent professional practice.