Q&A
Access to outdoor spaces and inclusion efforts for students with disabilities
1:10:02
ยท
134 sec
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse inquires about policies ensuring access to outdoor spaces for students with disabilities and steps taken to incorporate affirming models into District 75 schools to address the segregation of neurodiverse students. DOE officials respond with information on current initiatives and efforts to promote inclusion.
- DOE emphasizes the importance of movement opportunities for all students during the school day
- Introduction of Infinity Inclusive Club Groups for high school and some middle school students
- Mention of playground redesigns with sensory needs in mind
- Acknowledgment of the critical role council members play in advocating for improved outdoor spaces in schools
Mercedes Narcisse
1:10:02
Alright.
1:10:03
Since my time is over, I'm gonna throw in 2 questions.
1:10:06
What policies exist to ensure student have access to outdoor?
1:10:09
Because it's very important for their development.
1:10:12
Right?
1:10:13
That I wanna know if you have anything there.
1:10:15
Self advocacy and inclusion.
1:10:17
What step, if any, are being taken to incorporate, new affirming model into the DC, 75 schools as many neurodiverse student are often segregated.
Suzanne Sanchez
1:10:32
Yeah.
1:10:32
And in terms of outdoors, we'll get the specific regulation on that to you around that, but we certainly know that movement and movement enhances learning and are working with schools to ensure movement opportunities for all students, during the school day, and our 80 schools that have a sensory gym utilize that space during the school day as well for movement.
1:10:56
And to your to your second question before deputy chancellor Foti jumps in, in an initiative this year under dial, we have launched an infinity inclusive club groups, and these are for high school and some middle school students to have clubs that are designed to not to accept or welcome students with disabilities, but they are designed for and by students with disabilities alongside their non disabled peers.
1:11:23
And this is creating an increased sense of welcome and an inclusive culture in those school communities.
UNKNOWN
1:11:30
And, Omar go ahead.
1:11:32
I just wanted to add, you all play such
Christina Foti
1:11:33
a critical role in, outside spaces and schools, particularly around playground redesigns.
1:11:39
And I just wanna encourage you to keep the conversations up with our facilities, office because we have more and more playgrounds being designed with sensory needs in mind.
1:11:48
And parents and children love those spaces.
1:11:52
And we really appreciate all the advocacy to help, schools, do more and more with their outdoor spaces.
Mercedes Narcisse
1:11:58
And the advocacy, I'm gonna leave it on that because we wanna know because parents the reason my all my questions are inspired by people coming to my office.
1:12:06
It's not me thinking about out of the box.
1:12:09
They bring the question and they want to make sure their kids, they want to advocate for their children.
1:12:14
Alright?
1:12:14
So, thank you chair for the extended time.
Althea Stevens
1:12:16
Thanks.
Rita Joseph
1:12:16
Thank you council member.