Development Motor Lab
The Developmental Motor Laboratory serves as the home of the Adapted Physical Activity (APA) program for people with disabilities in the community and research projects exploring pre-service teachers and professionals’ learning on physical activity programming for people with disabilities. The ECU APA program also collaborates with local community programs, such as Pitt County Schools APE programs, Aces for Autism, Autism Society of North Carolina, and Pitt County Special Olympics.
In December 2015, the ECU APA program became a partner with the national health promotion program, I Can Do It! (ICDI), to establish a solid transition program for youth with disabilities in the areas of health, physical fitness, and wellness.
- Healthy Eating and Living Program (H.E.L.P) offered from 2016 to 2017 to students receiving APE services at Pitt County Schools.
Since 2016, community service-learning programs in APE have been embedded in disability-related courses to support community agencies and enhance student learning to work with individuals with disabilities in various contexts (e.g., sports, physical education, and health and fitness development).
- Learning to teach students with disabilities through community service learning, 2016-2018.
- Promoting an inclusive community through peer mentoring approach in high school physical education program, 2019-2021.
Student Opportunities
The Developmental Motor Lab provides many learning and research opportunities for students from various academic programs. Since the adapted physical education program’s inception, the on- and off-campus teaching has remained a key element. ECU students enrolling in KINE courses (e.g., 3906, 4025, 4200, & 4904) engage in teaching/coaching various types of motor and recreational activities, fitness, and sports programs for people with disabilities.
Community Outreach Program
ECU Dance-Ability: A dance program that offers dance lessons to children and youth with and without disabilities. A group of ECU students offer weekly dance lessons in ballet, tap and hip hop and at the end of each semester, they hold a dance recital for all dancers.
- Fall Semester Schedule: Every Thursday, 5 – 7:30 pm, from September 5 to November 12.
- Program Registration: Fall Registration Link
- If anyone is interested in joining the Dance Ability Program, please contact Bella Rupolo @ rupoloi23@students.ecu.edu
Pee Dee Sensory Room: ECU is committed to becoming more ‘Sensory Friendly’ for those with sensory needs. In collaboration with HHP Design 4 Disability Initiative and ECU athletics, the DML becomes a sensory friendly space to serve anyone experiencing sensory overload to take a break during ECU athletic events (i.e., basketball).
Lab Director
Dr. AJ An, Associate Professor
100 Minges Coliseum