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Thanks so much to all that were able to attend our Speak Out on Assistive Technology (AT) in February! During the expert panel, Anna Spoden shared her successes in advocating for assistive technology devices for two of her students and the tremendous impact these devices have made. Ptahra Jeppe provided valuable first-hand feedback as a former New York City public school student and user of assistive technology who continues to use AT in her everyday life. Mark Surabian contributed to these experiences by sharing his expertise in the field of assistive technology and its accessibility for students with disabilities in New York City schools. 

Thank you to all who joined us a few weeks ago for our panel discussion and speak-out on providing behavior supports to students with disabilities in New York City’s public schools. The ARISE Coalition uses what we learn from our panelists and the parents, educators, and other stakeholders who attend these events to inform the advocacy work we do — pushing the Department of Education to improve the day-to-day experiences of and long-term outcomes for youth with disabilities in NYC. What we hear from all of you impacts every conversation we have with the DOE and every campaign we undertake to push for improvements on behalf of students with special needs. We couldn’t do our work without you.

​Thanks to all who came out for the panel discussion and speak out on literacy. Our panel members, Brenda Brazell, Maria Sandoval, and Deena Hellman, did a great job setting the stage and speaking from the point of view of parents and educators about how hard it can be to secure excellent instruction in reading and writing for students with special education needs.  

But we also heard that it can be done. All three panelists told us about successes — Brenda with her daughter who was there with her last night, Maria with her students at Brooklyn Frontiers High School, and Deena, at the Star Learning Center where she is now the Director, and in districts outside of NYC where she worked as an Assistant Superintendent previously.

​Last week, along with Parents for Inclusive Education, we co-sponsored an event, “Talking About Inclusive Education.” The turn-out at the event was impressive, with our conference room filled to capacity, and the conversation was especially lively.

​We began the evening with a panel of experts: Claire Lowenstein, the Principal of P.S. 333, the Manhattan School for Children; Kim Madden, a parent and an advocate working at Advocates for Children of New York; and Srikala Naraian, an Associate Professor at Teachers College. They spoke with parents, educators, and other stakeholders about a variety of topics related to making inclusion work. Jackie Okin Barney, who coordinates Parents for Inclusive Education, moderated the panel. Some of the more salient points that came up during the discussion included: