Yet more evidence that the charter school movement is not good for the developmental disability community, a new PBS show for kids centers on an autistic character, and more developmental disability news for the week ending July 19, 2024.
Spotlight
Report: Charter Schools Are Failing Students with Disabilities
Another study, this one from the Center for Learning Equity, finds that charter schools do not outperform their district-run counterparts when it comes to providing high-quality special education services. “We thought we would turn over rocks and find positive outliers, but really there were very few,” says the center’s executive director.
You can find the report here. (the74million.org)
New York
Judge urges Lyft, plaintiffs to work toward solution in suit about rides for disabled A plea for Lyft to just do the right thing was dismissed by plaintiffs who say a lack of wheelchair-accessible vehicles violates the law. (lohud.com)
Special Needs school in Brooklyn flagged for contaminated air The findings near the Gowanus Canal “are troubling enough” that the state plans to install equipment there to remove harmful fumes. (NYPost)
Niagara University launches new Institute on Disability Awareness The private Catholic university near Niagara Falls’ will formalize existing programs, expand training options and make them accessible to a broader audience. (spectrumlocalnews.com)
Outside of New York
Autism Training for First Responders Expands Across Virginia The program helps ease encounters between first responders and people with autism. (news.virginia.edu)
Inside a preschool dyslexia screening program for some of Colorado’s rural students “I think we wait too long to figure these things out,” says a teacher who’s part of the regional pilot program. (Chalkbeat.org)
Up North
B.C. to require new homes to be adaptable for disabilities Interesting article on a great idea that developers say they can’t afford to implement. (theglobeandmail.com via Disability Thinking)
IDD
Billions Are Spent On IDD Services Annually. Where Does It All Go? Almost 90% went toward services provided through Medicaid. (Disability Scoop)
Japan’s Largest IDD Provider Buys Developmental Disability Centers of Nebraska for $50M It’s reportedly an opportunity for the provider to learn about the IDD market in the U.S. for potential future purchases. (bhbusiness.com)
Employment
The Home Depot Collaborates With Disability Community to Enhance Employment Access for Job Seekers With IDD It undertook a review of its entry level hiring and reasonable accommodation process and made adjustments to avoid screening out of applicants with IDD. (Thearc.org)
Opinion
Accepting Autism: A Sibling’s Perspective This essay is one of the top winners of The Learning Network’s Student Open Letter Contest. (New York Times)
Entertainment
PBS Kids’ First Series Centering on an Autistic Main Character Premieres November Carl the Collector is new 2D animated series for children ages 4-8. (PBS.org)
