Historic disability sport legislation moves forward in Georgia

Member of the Georgia House of Representatives moved one step closer to making history in Georgia and changing the lives of student athletes with physical disabilities who want to compete in Georgia at the collegiate level.

House Bill 1184, introduced by State Representative Allen Freeman (R-Macon, was overwhelmingly approved Thursday, March 6, by a vote of 155-1. Freeman's bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. HB 1184 would establish two five-year pilot collegiate sports programs for students with disabilities in Georgia.

"Support of this legislation is historic and will make a difference in the lives of many of our disabled student athletes who currently cannot compete at the collegiate level," Rep. Freeman said from the House floor Thursday.

The bill is the culmination of a year-long legislative study committee tasked with examining the current status of disability sport in Georgia at the collegiate level.

"Creating these pilot programs will help us continue to build upon our state's rich collegiate sports traditions by keeping our world-class athletes with disabilities where they belong ... at home," said Freeman.

If the legislation passes, Georgia will become one of only several states across the country providing disability sports programs for college students. The physical, vocational and social values and benefits derived from participation in sport and physical activity are widely accepted. Also, extensively documented is the fact that these benefits are just as significant or even greater for those with physical disability for whom opportunities have not been available.