ATLANTA –Representative Regina Lewis-Ward (D-McDonough) announced that she recently helped secure additional funding in House Bill 910, the Amended Fiscal Year (AFY) 2022 budget, to support an adapted sports program for children with disabilities. Recently signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp, the AFY 2022 budget includes $388,259 to support the efforts of the American Association of Adapted Sports Program, Inc. (AAASP).
“More than nine thousand students in public school from across my district may be eligible to participate in this program,” said Rep. Lewis-Ward. “The option for children with disabilities to play on accessible playgrounds and through extra-curricular sports programs develops creativity and encourages healthier lifestyles. I am grateful to the governor and the House and Senate Appropriations committees for recognizing how valuable this funding will be for the AAASP.”
Rep. Lewis-Ward worked with State Senator Kim Jackson (D-Stone Mountain) to secure this funding in the AFY 2022 budget. Rep. Lewis-Wards wishes to thank everyone for their support, especially school superintendents, Dr. Samantha Fuhrey, and Dr. Terrance Oatts, for sending the message that adapted sports will provide a well-rounded educational experience for Georgia’s most vulnerable students.
“The effort and commitment of Senator Kim Jackson and Representative Regina Lewis-Ward to meet the unique needs of Georgia’s student-athletes with physical disabilities cannot be overstated,” said Tommie Storms, AAASP co-founder and executive director. “They’ve helped to ensure that no child needs to be sidelined at school due to a disability. Their efforts have put these school programs back on secure footing, something our schools have struggled to do since the economic downturn of 2009.”
The American Association of Adapted Sports Program works in partnership with school systems and educational agencies across the U.S. to provide programs, policies and governance of interscholastic adapted sports for students with physical disabilities to enhance educational outcomes.
For more information on HB 910, please click here.
Representative Regina Lewis-Ward represents the citizens of District 109, which includes portions of Henry, Newton and Rockdale counties. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2020 and currently serves on the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Banks & Banking and Interstate Cooperation committees.
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