Aguas Buenas offers basketball program for children with autism & disabilities

The mayor of Aguas Buenas said the basketball program arises as a direct response to the need to create more safe and accessible spaces, recognizing the positive impact of sports on youths’ physical and emotional development.

By THE STAR STAFF

In order to promote inclusion, comprehensive development, and active participation of children and young people with autism and disabilities, the Municipality of Aguas Buenas announced Wednesday the launch of the “Adapted in Action” initiative, an adapted basketball program designed to strengthen social skills, communication, camaraderie and teamwork through sports.

Aguas Buenas Mayor Karina Nieves Serrano said the program arises as a direct response to the need to create more safe and accessible spaces, recognizing the positive impact of sports on youths’ physical and emotional development.

Currently, more than 20 children and young people from Aguas Buenas participate in the program, where they receive training, in addition to coordinated visits to several public schools in the municipality, with the purpose of expanding access to basketball for students with disabilities.

“This is a very special initiative, created with sensitivity, commitment, and vision by our municipal team together with the Office of Community Programs and Initiatives,” Nieves Serrano said. “We recognize the importance of sports as a powerful tool for the comprehensive development of our children and young people. Our commitment is to continue creating programs that offer more opportunities to the population with disabilities and autism and thus foster their social inclusion in a comprehensive manner.”

Island Education Secretary Eliezer Ramos Parés said the agency he leads supports the initiative “because it represents exactly the type of alliance that transforms lives: creating safe, accessible, and inclusive spaces where our students with autism and disabilities can fully develop through sports.”

“We reiterate the full willingness of our team to actively collaborate with ‘Adapted in Action’ and continue expanding opportunities that strengthen their self-esteem, social skills, and overall well-being,” the official added.

Training sessions are held on Mondays and Wednesdays with two sessions for children ages 10 and older at 5:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays are dedicated to adults aged 18 and older at 10 a.m. at the Samuel “Sammy” Rodríguez Coliseum, in addition to a session on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. at the Urban School.

The mayor emphasized that adapted basketball not only promotes physical activity but also strengthens independence, self-esteem, and self-reliance -- key elements for the empowerment of the participants.

“I am confident that in the coming days we will have a team ready to compete and continue growing in their overall development,” Nieves Serrano said. “We encourage mothers, fathers, and family members to enroll their children and young people in these weekly practices. The resources are available, and the municipality is committed to making them accessible for the benefit of our community.”

For more information, interested individuals can contact the Office of Community Programs and Initiatives at 787-732-4700, extensions 2436 and 2295, or visit the official social media pages of the Municipality of Aguas Buenas for details on practices and other programs. The initiative is free of charge, and children and young people must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during the sessions.

It is important to note that participants will be evaluated by certified personnel to determine their eligibility for the program.