IMPACT
Individualized Movement and Physical Activity for Children Today
A motor skills fitness program for children with disabilities
IMPACT is a physical activity program for children, youth and young adults with disabilities.
More than 65 children aged 3 to 21 years, divided by age group, are engaged in physical activities - swimming, dancing, throwing balls, catching, hockey, soccer, volleyball, playing games, and testing skills on the climbing wall.
Updated December 30, 2024
Greetings IMPACT families,
This term we will be including up to 65 participants who are 3 to 21 years old.
See Winter 2025 IMPACT Programming details.
"The love and support our son received through IMPACT changed his life.
Because of the skills and confidence he learned, he participated on the high school swim team for three years and the track team for two years, and he attends a yearly basketball camp.IMPACT helped him make friends and feel good about himself.
IMPACT is more than skill building — it is friendship, self-confidence, and self-advocacy building as well."
– Kelli Steele
Each child receives individual attention, support, and encouragement from a specially trained OSU undergraduate assistants or graduate student. The focus is on developing skills to help the children with daily life in their classrooms, on playgrounds, and at home.
"IMPACT is a unique program in that it offers physical activity opportunities for individuals with disabilities while at the same time it provides essential experiences for students at OSU to learn about working with special populations. It's amazing to watch the connections that develop between the OSU students and the IMPACT participants. They learn from each other, growing not only in the physical activity arena but in character and personal development as well."– Dr. Jen Beamer, Program Faculty
The children have a wide variety of abilities and come to IMPACT through referrals from teachers, physicians, therapists and families who have experienced the program. Individualized physical activity programs are developed for each child based on initial screening, ongoing motor assessment and consultation with parents, teachers, and therapists.
IMPACT takes place on Friday evenings (5:30 - 7 p.m.) during the academic year, and Friday mornings (9:30 - 11 a.m.) during the summer months. Enrollment fee is $50 per term (approximately 2 months); scholarships are available.
The program is held in the Women's Building on the Oregon State University campus. Campus map of ADA parking.
Parents and families may stay to observe their children during IMPACT or take the opportunity for a respite.
They may also choose to attend educational sessions with guest speakers presenting on the challenges and joys of parenting a child with special needs.
IMPACT for Life
IMPACT for Life is a transitioning service program offshoot from IMPACT and integrates adults with disabilities into community physical activity opportunities including local gyms, swim clubs, and indoor rock climbing
The program has received support from various sources - United Way of Benton County, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, US Department of Education, and OSU's College of Health.
Although IMPACT is usually at capacity, a waiting list is maintained. IMPACT accepts children ages 3-21, but you may submit an application earlier for waiting list placement.
Those interested in enrolling their child in IMPACT will be asked to submit an application. A nominal fee of $50.00 is charged for participation and scholarships are available.
IMPACT, established in 1982, is directed by faculty members in the School of Exercise, Sport, and Health Sciences along with doctoral students in Adapted Physical Activity, a nationally known option within the kinesiology program.
The program lures top graduate students from around the world based on a reputation for research and active outreach programs like IMPACT.
Apply
Participants
Assistants
Forms will be on Handshake.
Articles on IMPACT
- Physical activity program IMPACTs the lives of children with special needs
- Beyond disability: IMPACT opens doors to fitness – for life
- A broad IMPACT
IMPACT Newsletter
Resource Guide
Student Mandy Sargeant has developed a Resource guide to raising a child with a disability in the Mid-Willamette Valley.
Support the IMPACT program
IMPACT Fund
Contribute to the IMPACT program. You can make a gift directly on the OSU Foundation's website.
These funds are used for many reasons, including scholarships for IMPACT participants, equipment and other essential program needs.
Support students connected with IMPACT
IMPACT Leadership Endowed Fund
Support students connected with IMPACT and the adapted physical education graduate program by giving to the IMPACT Leadership Endowed Fund created by Jeff and Debbie McCubbin and John and Linda Dunn.
The college and the IMPACT program are truly grateful for their thoughtful gift and desire to inspire others to join them in growing this fund.
If you would like to contribute to the IMPACT Leadership Endowed Fund, you can make a gift directly on the OSU Foundation's website, or for more information, please contact Jessica Merkner at the Oregon State University Foundation.
Contact
IMPACT
Individualized Movement and Physical Activity for Children Today
123 Women's Building
Corvallis, OR 97331-6802
541-737-2176
Main contact
Courtney Jost, PhD, MPH
IMPACT Program Coordinator
Additional information
- IMPACT is partially funded by donations designated to United Way.
- Oregon State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
This project is supported by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the U.S. Department of Education.