Thank you for your interest in what we are doing to make our programs and services more accessible. Any comments listed below were provided during the public comment period prior to the publication of the initial final Five-Year Accessibility Plan. Each year we will be posting a Progress Report, so check back.
2 Responses
Most of the plan is of use to students with physical/motor disabilities. There is relatively little mention made of hearing loss. The section on effective communication (p12) does state that services such as ASL and assistive technologies will be provided. The problem is that without screening for hearing loss, which is an invisible disability, many children will not obtain what they need, which is an intervention to address their hearing loss. In light of the excellent decision to stress phonics in reading instruction, it is more urgent than ever that hearing loss be identified early. The city needs to implement screening which is mandated throughout NY State outside of NYC, as well as in many other states throughout the country.
PS 11 on W21st St Chelsea was renovated for 3 years but did not include an elevator for accessibility, stating the building could not be retrofitted. Other old schools have installed elevators adjacent to the main building, bridges to each floor. Instead, an outdoor elevator from the sidwalk to ground floor is in place, accommodating only 2 persons, needing a key to use, rather than independent use, and could strand people. Elevators are subject to breakdown,but a ramp is less likely, would accommodate many users , and not ableist. How many public schools in NYC are inaccessible?