NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennsun -- Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) celebrated International Day of Persons with Disabilities by awarding a $25,000 grant to support adapted sports programming in Georgia public schools through the American Association of AdaptED Sports Programs, Inc., one of eight organizations nationwide to receive a total of $200,000 in funding. Grants awarded through the Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund will directly benefit 1,400 students at 62 public schools.

"Access to sports is a serious barrier for young people with disabilities across the country," said Wade Munday, Director, Corporate Philanthropy and Social Impact, Bridgestone Americas. "Bridgestone has long supported equitable access to sports because of the lifelong skills they provide on and off the field. With these grants, we look forward to empowering more young people with the opportunity to play."

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While more than 7 million students in the U.S. receive special education services for disabilities in public schools, a 2010 study by the U.S. General Accountability Office found they participated in athletics at significantly lower rates than their peers. Of the nearly 100,000 public schools in the U.S., only 2,490 currently offer adapted sports programs for students.

"The American Association of AdaptED Sports Programs (AAASP) is honored to provide adapted sports opportunities to student athletes across Georgia in partnership with the Georgia High School Association and school districts statewide," said Dr. Jenny Millward, Executive Director of AAASP. "The generous support of this special grant from Bridgestone Americas is enabling us to secure much-needed sports equipment for our expanding adapted track and field program, opening the door for even more student athletes to participate in education-based competition.  As a legacy organization of the 1996 Paralympic Games, we understand the critical importance of removing barriers so young athletes can participate fully in sport. We are deeply grateful to partners like Bridgestone Americas who help us bring more student athletes off the sidelines and into the game."

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Non-profit organizations and public schools in districts spanning eight states – California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, and Tennessee – were awarded grants to grow existing or establish new athletic programs for students in grades K through 12. The funds provided to The American Association of Adapted Sports Programs will allow kids of all abilities to participate in sports like track and field.

For more information, visit BridgestoneAmericas.com (https://www.bridgestoneamericas.com/en/index) and adaptedsports.org.