Patterson Joint Unified School District has received a $25,000 grant from the Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund to enhance its athletics programs for students with disabilities. The district will use the funds to purchase new adaptive athletic equipment and provide staff training in adaptive physical education.
The planned upgrades include adaptive basketball and soccer equipment, wheelchair exercise packs, mobility-focused fitness tools, and sensory supports tailored to meet a range of student needs. These additions are expected to enable more than 250 students with disabilities across the district to participate in physical education and athletic activities.
The district previously launched a Special Olympics event for students with disabilities in 2023, which increased participation in athletics among this group. Building on that effort, the district will now introduce a new fall soccer event for students with disabilities from kindergarten through the adult transition program.
“With support from the Bridgestone grant, PJUSD will expand this work by launching a new fall soccer event serving students with disabilities from kindergarten through the adult transition program, complementing existing spring and TK events to create year-round inclusive athletic programming,” according to the press release.
