07.12.2022 | City & State | As for students with disabilities and those living in temporary housing, transportation remains one of the biggest barriers, according to Randi Levine, policy director at Advocates for Children of New York. 

Last year, bussing was only offered at the close of the day’s academic portion, which meant many of these students were left out of the afternoon enrichment activities as they wouldn’t have a way home if they stayed until 6 p.m. This summer, the department of education is offering eligible families two ridesharing options for students who stay until 6 p.m., with the caveat that an authorized adult must be available to use the service to pick their child up. Paraprofessionals and nurses are also not allowed to travel with the child. 

“Students who have special education classes for the summer are assigned a site and often that site is far away from where they live,” Levine said. “It can be very difficult for a parent to have to travel to the site and take their child home even with the availability of rideshare. Certainly it does work for some parents, but not for others.” 

Still, she said she’s been heartened to see other strides the department has taken in increasing the program’s accessibility. About 70 different Summer Rising sites are being co-located with students from District 75, which serves students with significant needs, meaning they’ll also be able to participate in afternoon enrichment activities. Read article