Every two to four years, the Physical Activity Alliance (PAA) releases the United States Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, a national assessment of how active America’s young people are. Since 2014, this report has tracked key indicators that shape the physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and adolescents aged 6–17.

For the first time in 2023, the Para Report Card looked at physical activity among children and youth with disabilities. The findings show there is still work to be done to make sure all kids have equal chances at being active and healthy.

Key Findings

The Para Report Card graded each area using national data, and the results tell an important story. Kids and teens in the U.S. are moving less than before, and overall activity levels have stayed low, earning a D- grade since 2018.

Below is a summary of each category and its assigned grade:

Overall Physical Activity: F

• Less than 20% of U.S. children and adolescents with disabilities participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily.
• 23.8% of children and 16.6% of adolescents with disabilities met the U.S. physical activity guidelines.
• 32.4% of children with Down syndrome participated in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on 4 days/week or more.

Organized Sport and Physical Activity: D+

• 33.7% of children and 40.8% of adolescents with disabilities participate in sports teams or take part in sports lessons after school or on weekends.
• 40% of children and adolescents with disabilities participated in organized sports.

Sedentary Behavior: D+

• Less than 40% of children and adolescents engage in less than 2 hours of screen time a day.

School: D

• 27.9% of children and adolescents receiving special education services participated in school sports and physical activity.
• 47.6% of physical education teachers reported providing quality instructional methods to teach children with disabilities.
• 3.6% of secondary schools have implemented a comprehensive school physical activity program to promote physical activity among all students.
• It is likely that children and adolescents with disabilities are not receiving adequate physical activity promotion efforts in schools.

Some areas got letter grades, but others were marked as Incomplete — like Active Play, Active Transport, Physical Fitness, Family and Peers, Community and Environment, and Government. These did not get grades because there just is not enough national data for kids and youth with disabilities. Basically, we do not yet have large-scale, consistent research in these areas. Without solid information, it is hard to know how these factors really affect physical activity. This highlights a big gap in national tracking and underscores the need for more inclusive data that truly reflects the experiences of all kids, including those with disabilities.

Why It Matters

The data underscores a troubling reality: children and youth with disabilities continue to face barriers that prevent them from achieving recommended levels of daily movement. Limited access to inclusive sports programs, insufficient physical education support, and environmental inaccessibility all contribute to lower participation rates.

Physical activity is essential not only for health but also for confidence, social inclusion, and lifelong well-being. Ensuring equitable opportunities for movement benefits all children — creating stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities.

What You Can Do

Everyone has a role to play in reversing these trends:

• Schools can adopt inclusive physical education curricula and provide professional development for teachers.
• Parents and caregivers can encourage active play and seek out adaptive sports or recreation programs.
• Community organizations can invest in accessible parks, playgrounds, and activity spaces.
• Policy leaders can support legislation and funding that expand inclusive opportunities for physical activity.

Together, we can ensure that every child, regardless of ability, has the chance to move, play, and thrive.

Act Today

A downloadable snapshot infographic of the 2023 U.S. Para Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth with Disabilities is available for viewing and sharing. Click the highlighted text, or visit the downloads section on this page.
Help raise awareness by sharing this resource with your networks, schools, and community organizations to inspire action and advocacy.