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Students with disabilities who may have aged out of an education programme due to the COVID-19 pandemic will have a revitalized opportunity beginning in September to complete their school work under a law approved earlier this year. The measure, backed by state Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, aims at helping students finish their Individualized Education Programme or resume their education until turning 23 years of age.

The law aims at helping the students who lost a year of education when the pandemic shut down schools and made it challenging for them to complete their coursework via online lessons or remote learning. Starting in September, the students with disabilities who turned 21 can register in the 2022-23 school year to complete their education. The procedure includes students who are hearing or visually impaired or with multiple disabilities and those who cannot use a computer independently.

The individualized student plans are expected to be unique to each person and overview services and support based on speech, visual or hearing requirements. Many of these programs could not be organized online or through remote learning.

Santabarbara stated that we must do everything possible, collectively and individually, to assure our most helpless students are not left behind and given the support and opportunities they deserve despite these demanding times. He added that although most schools adapted to online education during the COVID-19 pandemic, many special education students were inefficient to engage in remote learning or taking online lessons. For some students, it meant losing the last year of education they were privileged to have. In the end, he said that As back-to-school season approaches, it is essential to note this adjustment for this forthcoming school year to help ensure every student has the chance to learn and finish their education.

News Source: Spectrum News NY1