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Q&A
Discussion on school accessibility funding and timeline
2:09:28
·
80 sec
Chair Rita Joseph inquires about the potential timeline for making all schools accessible with increased funding, referencing advocates' calls for a billion-dollar investment. Deputy Chancellor Vadehra provides clarification on the challenges and limitations of achieving full accessibility.
- Joseph mentions advocates calling for a billion dollars to make schools accessible
- Vadehra clarifies that additional funding would help but some schools may not achieve full accessibility in their current buildings
- Joseph requests updated numbers and information on the landscape of school accessibility
- The importance of reducing travel time for students with accessibility needs is emphasized
- Vadehra explains that improvements are planned across all community school districts and D75 programs
- Joseph commits to continued advocacy for school accessibility improvements
Rita Joseph
2:09:28
I know the advocates were calling for a billion dollars to make our school accessible.
2:09:33
With that billion dollars, what would the timeline look like from now?
2:09:37
I think if I read the report right, 02/1930 where our schools would be accessible for all, am I correct?
Emma Vadehra
2:09:48
I think we went back and forth a little bit on this at the capital hearing.
Justin Brannan
2:09:52
That
Emma Vadehra
2:09:54
particular additional funding would help us get more schools to fully accessible.
2:09:59
That's absolutely true.
2:10:00
There are also some schools that in their current building won't get there.
2:10:04
That particular timeline for a billion dollars to get to fully accessible doesn't sound right to me, but happy to come back
Rita Joseph
2:10:12
and see some of the Send me some updated numbers as to what that looks like and what does the landscape look like in making schools accessible because, again, students have to travel far to get to school when they can stay in community.
2:10:24
Right?
2:10:24
That's one of the biggest things that I know I I complain about and the advocates complain about.
Simone Hawkins
2:10:29
And it is one
Emma Vadehra
2:10:29
of the sorry.
2:10:30
Gonna say and it is one of the reasons that whenever we do these improvements, we do look at every single community school district and all d 75 programs within them to make sure we're making at least baseline progress all the way across the city to avoid that as much as possible.
Rita Joseph
2:10:42
Thank you.
2:10:43
We'll continue to push as the council and advocates as well.
2:10:46
Council member Narcisse.