Assemblyman Josh Jensen (R,C,I-Greece), Sen. Mario Mattera (R,C, IP-Smithtown) and members of their Conferences gathered for a joint press conference regarding the introduction of the Everyone Can Play bill (A.9539/S.8626), which would create a state grant program to help make it easier for local municipalities to afford to install handicap-accessible aspects to recreation facilities, as well as legislation that would ensure certain handicap-accessible playground equipment in playgrounds within each state park (A.9923/S.8646).

Santii Patel, a nine-year- old constituent of Assemblyman Jensen, who is a resident of the Town of Greece, joined the members to advocate for the disability community. She recently raised nearly $7,000 for a wheelchair-accessible swing for a local park in the town, giving every kid a chance to play.

“No child should be left out from playing on a playground with their friends and family because the equipment doesn’t accommodate their needs,” said Jensen. “While more and more communities are choosing to create handicapped-accessible playgrounds, this commitment by our state is crucial to help reduce the costs of the new equipment for local governments. Miss Patel is an inspiration with her passion to help others and she has done an exceptional job raising awareness, locally, state-ways and nationally of this issue at such a young age.”