More Developmental Disability News for Week Ending Oct. 11, 2024

The NYS Comptroller’s alarming school statistic, alleged CDPAP fraud, how to prepare for a disaster when caring for a person with disabilities and more developmental disability news for the week ending Oct. 11, 2024.

Spotlight

Report: Almost All Disabled Students Lack Access to College Readiness Programs

This report from the Center for Learning Equity is an analysis of charter and district school enrollment of students with disabilities. Botton line: It finds a “devastating lack of access” to the opportunities that make college possible.

Some highlights:

In the 2020-21 academic year, just 4.4% of charter school students with disabilities and 2.8% of those in traditional schools took AP classes, versus 21% and 15% of general ed students, respectively.
Just 2.6% of charter school special ed students and 3.4% of those in district-run schools took dual-enrollment college and university courses, versus 11.5% and 8% of their general ed classmates.
The number of youth with disabilities taking college admissions tests was less than 10% in district-run schools — half the rate of general ed students.

Interestingly, research shows that 85% of students in special education are capable of achieving on grade level. “There’s no barrier that’s stopping them if their needs are met.” (The74million.org)

New York

Eight Individuals Charged in $68 Million Social Adult Day Care and Home Health Care CDPAP Scheme They allegedly siphoned off Medicaid funds through a network of social adult day cares and a home health care fiscal intermediary. (Brooklyn Eagle)

One in three NYS students missed 10% of the 2022-2023 school year, per Comptroller In the Large City high schools, the 2022-2023 absenteeism rate for students with disabilities was an alarming 71.2%. (News10.com)

School Absences Rise as Special Ed Fails Students A class-action lawsuit argues that the NYC school system falls short in helping students with emotional disabilities. (New York Times)

NYS schools get renewed Special Olympic status 13 schools have been named new National Banner Unified Champion Schools, and nine more renewed their status for another four-year term. (Finger Lakes Times)

Biden DOJ weighs in on NYC lawsuit aimed at keeping NYPD from mental health responses It alleges NYC discriminates by typically sending police — rather than mental health specialists — to respond to 911 calls where someone is reported to be having a mental health crisis. (Gothamist)

Sen. Pete Harckham Honors Four Self-Advocates in Hudson Valley (Sen. Harckham)

Three Northwell Health GoHealth Urgent Care centers receive ‘Autism Friendly Designation’ (Huntington Now)

Outside of New York

New law expands transportation options for NJ seniors and people with disabilities It expands on an existing pilot program that allows taxis, limos and ride-share services to replace NJ Transit’s oft-criticized Access Link vans. (northjersey.com)

San Antonio has first-in-US program offering new approach for children with autism Autism Community Network’s PACT program is said to focus on how parents can identify skills, not deficits. (ksat.com)

Disaster Prep

Hurricane Milton: What to do if you or a family member has disabilities, special needs This is for hurricanes in Florida, but it has a good checklist for any emergency. (USA Today)

Autism

How parents and caregivers of children with autism can evaluate potential treatments and interventions Experts on what to watch for. (Los Angeles Times)

A young autistic man’s symphonic odyssey A non-verbal young man with autism composed an entire six-movement symphony in his head. (CBS News)

Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance in Autism (Psychology Today)

Education

Charter schools have fewer students with disabilities but higher inclusion rates However, “what this data can’t tell us is the quality of that instruction and their ability to still receive the appropriately individualized instruction that they need to be successful.” (k12dive.com)

‘Handcuffed and Pushed Out’: How Schools Fail Some Students With Disabilities What they really needed post-pandemic were supports. (Edweek.org)

AAP: Suspensions, expulsions harm students’ mental and physical health The pediatric org weighs in how students with disabilities are among those disproportionately impacted by exclusionary school discipline policies. (K12dive.com)

Dept. of Labor launches tool to provide workers with disabilities, employers ideas for workplace accommodations (Dept. of Labor)

5 Ways to Support Neurodivergent Students An academic coach for neurodivergent students shares how to help them reach their potential. (Edutopia)

Domestic Violence

Federal Investigation: Disabled People Are Five Times More Likely to Experience Domestic Violence People with disabilities who require caregiving may worry that if they seek domestic violence services that law enforcement or other authorities will be notified and move them from their preferred living situations into institutions. (Mother Jones)

Acceptance

‘My disability is the least interesting thing about me’: Actor Adam Pearson on fame, film and his sibling rivalry Pearson, who was born with neurofibromatosis type 1, a genetic condition that produces benign skin tumors on his face, says disfigurement onscreen is often presented as a problem. He sees it differently. (The Guardian)