twitter:title

Drowning rates have risen post-COVID. AUA provides free water safety programs and resources to protect children of all abilities across the ACT.

description

twitter:description

https://www.datocms-assets.com/102439/1701081359-2023-asf-website-social.png?auto=format&fit=max&w=1200

twitter:image

https://www.facebook.com/AustralianSportsFoundation

twitter:card

twitter:site

A Growing Crisis: Drownings Are on the RiseAustralia is facing a drowning crisis. This year, there has been a 40% increase in drowning deaths among children aged 5-14, and children with disabilities are at three times greater risk of drowning than their peers.Waterabilities Dream is the only program in the ACT providing inclusive water safety education to children of all abilities. Without immediate intervention, more lives will be tragically lost.The most heartbreaking fact? 43% of these drowning deaths are caused by accidental falls into water. Many of these could have been prevented if the children had received proper water safety education.Your donation is not just supporting a cause—you are saving lives. We must act now to prevent future tragedies and equip children, especially those with disabilities, with the tools and knowledge to stay safe around water. The impact of COVID-19 devastated swim programs across the ACT. Drowning rates surged to record highs in 2024, and without your help, the danger will only grow.The absence of accessible water safety programs for children with disabilities leaves thousands at risk. Currently, there is no other organisation in the ACT providing tailored water safety resources for these vulnerable children.Waterabilities Dream aims to fill this critical gap, but we cannot do it without you. Lives are on the line. ﻿How Your Donation Saves LivesYour donation provides life-saving education and resources. Here’s how:$100: Provides a child with high-visibility swimwear, making them more visible and safer in the water.$500: Equips students with a water safety resource pack, teaching children the essential skills to prevent drowning.$1,000: Delivers one on one, inclusive water safety programs for children with disabilities, ensuring they learn at their own pace, supporting individual strengths and needs.$2,000: Distributes comprehensive water safety resources to schools across the ACT, reaching hundreds of students with critical education.Without these resources, children are left vulnerable to drowning risks, especially in situations where they accidentally fall into water. You can be the difference between a life saved and a life lost. Why This Work is Critical<ul><li>Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children with disabilities. For neurodivergent children, who are particularly at risk, water can be both dangerous and overwhelming.</li></ul>Waterabilities is designed to protect these children by:<ul><li>Teaching essential survival skills like floating, treading water, and how to call for help.</li><li>Creating an inclusive learning environment, where children of all abilities can learn life-saving skills.</li><li>Providing one-on-one instruction, ensuring that each child receives the attention and support they need to succeed.</li><li>Educating families, so they can reinforce water safety at home and protect their children in real-world situations.</li><li>We operate in a specialised hydrotherapy pool, equipped with safety features and adaptive tools, making it possible for children with physical or cognitive disabilities to feel confident in the water.</li></ul> The Risks of Doing Nothing: Lives Are at StakeIf we do not act now, more children will drown. It’s that simple.Neurodivergent children are at a 3 times higher risk of drowning than their neurotypical peers.COVID-19 has already pushed drowning rates to record levels in 2024, and the trend will continue unless we intervene.Without programs like Waterabilities, vulnerable children are left without access to the life-saving education they need.Your support is not just funding a program—it is directly preventing more tragedies. We can’t afford to wait. Every day that passes without action puts more children at risk of becoming part of these heartbreaking statistics. The Time to Act is Now: Donate TodayYour donation isn’t just a gift; it’s a life-saving intervention. With every dollar, you are protecting the lives of children who might otherwise be left vulnerable to drowning. Don’t wait until it’s too late.Together, we can ensure that every child—regardless of ability—has the chance to learn how to stay safe in the water. Donate now to help us achieve a future where no child dies from drowning. About WaterabilitiesAbilities Unlimited Australia (AUA) is a not for profit community organisation. AUA’s Waterabilities program is an inclusive, life-saving program dedicated to providing critical water safety education to children with disabilities. Our mission is simple: save lives through education and empowerment. We focus on individualized instruction, family support, and community engagement to ensure every child has the tools they need to stay safe around water. Closing the Gap: Be a LifesaverDrowning doesn’t discriminate, but together, we can stop it. Will you help us save lives? Every donation gets us closer to a world where no child is left behind in water safety education.

The AUA Waterabilities Dream