PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Katherine Hoy, Director of Advocacy Services at AHRC New York City
3:26:30
·
3 min
Katherine Hoy, representing AHRC New York City and various advocacy coalitions, testified on the challenges in school bus transportation for students with disabilities. She highlighted issues such as long ride times, inadequate training for bus staff, and the impact of transportation problems on school attendance and after-school programs.
- Emphasized the need for improved processes in implementing transportation accommodations for students with IEPs
- Called for better training of bus drivers and matrons to handle the needs of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Stressed the negative impact of transportation issues on school attendance and the loss of after-school programs due to lack of transportation
Katherine Hoy
3:26:30
Good afternoon, chairs, Joseph and Juan, members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today on this important issue.
3:26:38
My name is Catherine Hoye.
3:26:39
I am the Director of AbbVie services at AHRC, New York City, and a member of the Arise Coalition, the transition alliance, and cochair of the Queen's Council on Developmental Disabilities, Children's Committee.
3:26:51
I fully support the statement made by my colleague Maggie earlier on behalf of the Arise Coalition.
3:26:56
For more than 75 years, AHRC has supported New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead full equitable lives in their communities.
3:27:04
We are the largest organization in New York State providing services to neurodivergent children, youth, and adults.
3:27:10
My colleague, Sacha Amari, will tell you in detail the impact that the lack of transportation has had on after school programs for youth with disabilities, programs that had been available in New York City public schools.
3:27:21
I'd like to share the experience of families supported by education advocacy.
3:27:26
Each year, the advocacy program, I oversee pairs, non attorney advocates with parents, and family members seeking support on behalf of almost 300 New York City school students with IEPs, who also meet criteria for OPWDDeligibility.
3:27:39
Most of these students have educational classifications of autism, intellectual disability, or multiple disabilities such as epilepsy and cerebral palsy.
3:27:47
Due to the nature and severity of these disabilities and their required level of support almost all the students we support in our program are mandated for specialized transportation to a special class or specialized school such as district 75 or a non public school.
3:28:00
Many routes are far too long as you've heard, especially for children in elementary school.
3:28:05
Tripp's mandate to take less than 60 minutes or regularly over a 100 minutes or more in Burrow.
3:28:10
In general, the annual process of documenting, approving, and implementing transportation accommodations can and must be improved and training for patrons and bus drivers who support youth with IDD must be implemented.
3:28:24
And I was pleased to see John Hammer or hear him mention that earlier, but we, again, love to have input on the training and see it.
3:28:30
And ensure also that it is presented city wide to all students with disabilities who ride public transportation or school bus transportation.
3:28:38
We hear far too many complaints from parents about witnessing harsh or indifferent treatment of their non speaking children or buses without air conditioning on hot days because the driver forgot or refused to turn it on.
3:28:48
I don't want to point fingers at Matrons, Paris, attendance, drivers.
3:28:52
They are our partners, and I am grateful, extremely grateful that so many wonderful New Yorkers have chosen to work with these youth.
3:28:57
However, in annual training to provide additional guidance and support to transportation professionals working with non speaking youth with sensory needs or behavioral supports is required.
3:29:07
Recently, I've seen improvements, including clearer guidance on rideshare access and anecdotally, it does seem and other staff are responding more quickly to assist in the resolution of some issues.
3:29:18
I'm thankful to this committee, to the New York City Public Schools, to district 75 council to the committee, CCSC, and in particular, to Piss, who you heard from earlier, from Sarah, for these changes in for their ongoing tireless advocacy.
3:29:31
Two final notes.
3:29:32
Students must be in school to receive the benefit of their education and related services.
3:29:36
Far too many are regularly left at home because of transportation issues that we detailed earlier.
3:29:41
Students are missing days weeks of school and the number of chronically absent students that we support.
3:29:46
Honestly, it's not to be believed.
3:29:49
Anyway, it's all due to transportation.
3:29:51
And secondly, contracts are after school transportation were not renewed and deprioritized after COVID leading to the closure of at least 6 District 75 after school programs operated by our organization alone.
3:30:01
Prior to COVID more than 180 students with disabilities attended regularly, but without transportation home after a program ended, these programs were decimated The loss of after school transportation on youth and working families is far too great to convey now that I'm over time, but the lack of socialization for youth with disabilities will have a long, lifelong impact.
3:30:21
I urge you prioritize these issues when reviewing transportation contracts and vendors.
3:30:26
Thank you for the time.
← Previous Chapter
Testimony by Maggie Moroff, Senior Special Education Policy Coordinator of Action for Reform in Special Education (ARISE) Coalition
Next Chapter →
Testimony by Sacha Amry, Director of Camping and Recreation Services at AHRC New York City, on School Bus Transportation for After-School Programs
