Cedar Creek Public School is helping lead the way in inclusive education through its participation in National AccessAbility Week (NAAW), in partnership with MoveMeant For All. NAAW celebrates the contributions of persons with disabilities and promotes accessibility and inclusion in schools, workplaces, and communities.
The opportunity brought accessible fitness into the school environment, and gave students of all abilities the opportunity to build strength, confidence, and independence through inclusive and personalized movement experiences.
Throughout the day, students rotated through a variety of activity stations designed to demonstrate how small, thoughtful adaptations can make physical activity accessible to everyone. Using creative adjustments with everyday equipment, students explored new ways to move, play, and participate alongside their peers.
"There's a lot of stations here that show us how we can take something as simple as pool noodles and allow all students to access the gym in a safe and inclusive way," said teacher Bianka Koopman. "It's powerful for students to see their peers participating fully in our gym space."
That sense of shared participation helped build a stronger understanding of inclusion across the school community. Koopman noted that experiences like this not only support students but inform teaching practices, highlighting that small changes to equipment and programming can ensure that all students are meaningfully included.
"I hope students see that all of their classmates can participate in a way that works for them," said educator Kaley Hughes. "It builds community when students realize that everyone can have fun and find a way to play together."
Hughes also highlighted the role of community partnerships in making this possible. Collaborations like this help connect parents, families and caregivers to inclusive programs and reinforce shared goals around accessibility and well-being.
Cedar Creek's participation in the Countdown to NAAW demonstrates how schools can take a proactive, creative approach to ensuring every student feels included. By embedding inclusive practices into everyday learning, the school is helping to foster a community where all students can move, play, and belong.
