ALBANY, N.Y. (WNYT) \u2013 Sen. Patricia Fahy said she is introducing a bill to expand adaptive swim safety and access for childen with autism and children with disabilities.<\/p>\n
Fahy and Assemblyman Charles D. Fall announced the bill Thursday, July 9. The proposal follows the drowning death of 7-year-old Harbe Nagi in the Capital Region, who was non-verbal and had autism.<\/p>\n
The bill would make specialized swimming lessons for children with disabilities Medicaid-eligible, require lifeguard training tied to autism and disabilities and let school districts add adaptive aquatic safety to individualized education programs.<\/p>\n
A press release said a study in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found formal swimming lessons were linked to an 88% reduction in drowning risk for children ages 1-4. It also said autistic children are 160 times more likely to die from drowning than their pediatric counterparts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Capital Region came together to support the Nagi family and remember 7-year-old Harbe Nagi, whose life was tragically cut short, this month,\u201d said Senate bill sponsor Sen. Patricia Fahy.<\/p>\n
\u201cSadly, autistic children and those living with disabilities are 160 times more likely to die from drowning than their peers, and this legislation establishes a framework to begin expanding tailored swimming lessons for autistic children and those living with disabilities, improve preventative safety, and establish commonsense safeguards. One drowning death is too many, and no parent should ever have to experience the pain of losing a child. This legislation ensures that we\u2019re taking proactive steps to prevent future tragedies, and honors and memorializes Harbe\u2019s young life, one cut far too short,\u201d said Fahy.<\/p>\n
The legislation also would require programs and facilities that receive New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) funding to explain how they are making facilities and instruction more accessible and inclusive, Fahy said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo family should ever have to bury a child because they didn\u2019t have access to the resources that could have saved their life,\u201d said Assembly bill sponsor Assemblyman Charles D. Fall.<\/p>\n
\u201cHarbe\u2019s tragic passing must be a turning point. Every child, regardless of ability, deserves the opportunity to learn lifesaving water safety skills, and every family deserves to know we\u2019ve done everything possible to protect them. I\u2019m proud to support this legislation because one child\u2019s life is one too many to lose,\u201d said Fall.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Albany Muslim Advocacy Coalition welcomes this much needed legislation surrounding Adaptive Aquatic Safety,\u201d said Mehak Jamil, co-founder of the Albany Muslim Advocacy Coalition.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs our community mourns the loss of Harbe, we applaud Senator Fahy for responding to this tragedy with meaningful legislation that protects our most vulnerable community members. Swim safety is a critical life skill and we are looking forward to seeing this resource be expanded to a wider population,\u201d said Jamil.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny legislation that brings attention to or provides funding for advancing the swimming capabilities of those with disabilities is welcome,\u201d said Jackie Ceonzo, executive director and founder of SNACK.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe thank Senator Fahy for her efforts\u2014this is a matter of life or death,\u201d said Ceonzo.<\/p>\n
SNACK\u2019s swim program offers 1:1 private lessons in a social setting where participants learn swim techniques and spend time with peers.<\/p>\n