Hingham special needs students learn self-defense

Seven Hingham High School students are now graduates of a program designed to help those with disabilities defend themselves.

This is the first year Hingham had offered “IMPACT:Ability,” a program run by Triangle, which works to provide housing and employment for those with special needs.

“Hingham is a leader in bringing it to the South Shore,” said Meg Stone, director of IMPACT:Ability. Hingham’s school superintendent and high school principal were on hand for the graduation ceremony held Monday at the school.

The students who graduated from the program, which consisted of eight 90-minute sessions, for a total of 12 hours, were Avery Bergian, Jenna Cross, Christian Franquiz, Cormac McDaid, Joseph Muth, Patrick Roche, and Ellie Snow.

“We want to make sure people with disabilities have the tools to keep themselves safe,” said Stone, adding the US Bureau of Justice Statistics maintains that people with disabilities are more than twice as likely as those without disabilities to be victims of violence.