Volleyball is the draw as students take part in JeffCo Schools' Adaptive Athletic Day

DENVER -- With a few adjustments, volleyball is a sport that everyone can play regardless of their ability.

For some of the players at JeffCo’s Adaptive Athletic Day, that means playing with big volleyballs, or playing with balloons instead of balls.

Adapted Physical Education is a service that is provided to students with disabilities. Every month, students in JeffCo schools get together to test their skills in a new sport. 

Brandan Ward has been taking part in these events for four years.

“I was known to be having Asperger’s Syndrome,” Brandan told Denver7. “It’s been a very great experience to be able to help others like me that have rare disabilities do stuff.”

From football to skiing, events are centered around a different sport every month.

“The experience, the fun, the family, the adrenaline to get the exercise that we need,” Brandan said.

It’s not just the student athletes who benefit from days like this.

Shana Martin studies physical education at Metropolitan State University and volunteers at these types of events.

“I'm here for credit, but also to learn something about adapted PE,” Shana explained. “Adapting programs to meet the needs of other students, all students so they can all be active.”

She says the smiles make all the hard work worth it.

“We're starting to learn the students and recognize them and develop relationships with these kids which is awesome,” she said. “When they are successful at things or when things don't go their way they have reactions that you get from competitions that I think is healthy for all students.”