(TRENTON) – Senator Paul A. Sarlo and Assembly members Gary S. Schaer and Marlene Caride (all D-Bergen/Passaic) today announced $20,000 in grants to support recreational programs for individuals with disabilities in Lyndhurst, Passaic and Rutherford.
“A physical or developmental disability should never stand in the way of being able to enjoy recreational activities,” said Sarlo. “Rutherford, Passaic and Lyndhurst are to be commended for taking the initiative in trying to create better and greater opportunities for those with disabilities. These are the kinds of worthwhile investments we need to be doing more of in New Jersey.”
“While many people with disabilities are active, there are some who may not know there are recreational programs that cater to their specific needs or that they can be physically active despite their disability,” said Schaer. “These grants will go a long way in supporting efforts by Passaic, Rutherford and Lyndhurst to better serve residents living with disabilities, without placing an additional financial burden on taxpayers.”
“All residents should have access to recreational opportunities, regardless of physical or mental impairment,” said Caride. “These grants will help supplement existing programs that avail these types of opportunities to residents in Passaic, Rutherford and Lyndhurst. Kudos to these town officials for securing the necessary funding to provide equal recreational outlets for all residents.”
The grants come from the Recreation Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities program. The purpose of the program is to assist local governments in the commencement or expansion of recreation and leisure services for persons with disabilities, promote the least restrictive environment in providing recreation and leisure services for persons with disabilities and reinforce the status of persons with disabilities as members of a total society.
Lyndhurst received $7,500 for the Lyndhurst Integrated Recreation Program, Passaic received $7,500 to provide recreational opportunities for about 55 residents with disabilities in the city, and Rutherford received $5,000 for the Exceptional Individuals program, which offers a variety of recreational activities for people with disabilities in the borough and the vicinity.