Sports program for disabled students gets funding

ATLANTA -- The Georgia Department of Education is trying to save a state-funded sports program for disabled students.

Department spokesman Dana Tofig said officials have hammered out a stopgap plan to keep the American Association of Adapted Sports Programs running in Georgia schools. The Atlanta-based nonprofit provides handball, basketball and football games for about 500 Georgia families with disabled athletes.

Tofig said the program's funding fell victim to the budget ax as part of nearly 20 percent in cuts to the department's coffers.

The state school board is expected to vote Thursday on giving the program $225,000 - compared to the usual $705,000. The program will then have to make up the rest with private donations.