Local Woman Dedicates Career to Teaching Students with Impairments to Swim

By: Nicole Roschella

Anywhere there is water there is risk of drowning, especially for children. Lexie Nieri, of Pittsburgh, has dedicated her career to teaching kids with impairments and disabilities how to be safe around water.

Nieri is an Adapted Aquatics Instructor at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children and a Red Cross-certified lifeguard.

“I had no idea I could make this a full-time job,” said Nieri, who holds two degrees from Slippery Rock University.

Nieri works with students who have visual impairments, but most of them have other disabilities as well, such as autism. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children and adults with autism.

“Students with autism tend to be attracted to water. They know it’s quiet underwater and feels cool, but it can be really dangerous,” Nieri said. “That’s why it’s so important to teach students water safety. Drownings are preventable.”

Nieri appreciates that swimming is easy to modify for people and is relatively inexpensive. There are also few barriers to other students who may have different leg lengths or missing limbs.

“Especially for students who are overweight, due to medications causing weight fluctuations, it’s important for them to get that exercise,” Nieri said.

One of Nieri’s proudest moments was when she gave lessons to a boy who could not pass the swim test at his community pool. She worked with him one-on-one for a whole school year until he was finally able to swim in the deep end with his family and friends without having to be held or wear a lifejacket.

Nieri is passionate about Red Cross lifeguarding and encourages high schoolers to consider the job.

“You don’t need to be a star swimmer on the swim team to be a good lifeguard. You just have to be proficient,” Nieri said. “The Red Cross will teach you how to help people – that’s why there’s a certification course – and you practice with training. It’s a really great job to have as an older high school or college student.”

The American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program is available at aquatic facilities across the country. Click here to find a Red Cross swim class near you. To learn more about Red Cross lifeguard certification, click here.