Senator Kate Brophy McGee is introducing a bill to appropriate funds for students with disabilities to have an opportunity to play sports. SB 1239 provides $160,000 from the state general fund for an intercollegiate adaptive athletic program.

"All students deserve equal opportunity and treatment," said Sen. Brophy McGee. "These young people have amazing athletic skills. The competition is fierce. Their athletic skills are at a high level. They just happen to perform in a wheelchair."

This bill would help students such as Rob Egan. Rob is a 23-year-old man with cerebral palsy. He says, " SB 1239 creates a nominal investment in college students with disabilities, giving them a portal to higher education and a pathway to self-sustainability."

Across the country, there are nearly 200 intercollegiate wheelchair basketball student-athletes. Here in Arizona, there are intercollegiate athletes playing wheelchair basketball, tennis, track, rugby and handcycling.

This bill is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Committee on Appropriations today.