Ability Beyond Disability

> ANNUALLY SERVING 250 CHILDREN

Problem

Among the schools in Westchester and Putnam Counties, NY, there are over 13,000 students with disabilities such as autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, mental retardation, and severe cases of neurological impairments including Tourette’s Syndrome, learning disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder. Some are also visually-impaired, hearing-impaired, physically disabled, or have chronic health problems.

Students with disabilities have the highest dropout rate. Even if they graduate, they are not well prepared for their future; more than half will remain unemployed thus undermining their chances for independent living. These problems often related to a limited educational program that is based on weak planning of Special Education services.

Response

In response, we developed the Ability Beyond Disability project which has three key goals:

1. To maximize the student’s educational benefits within the limits of the law.

2. To ensure a meaningful educational experience that will prepare the student for the next phase of his or her life.

3. To resolve school problems that undermine the family’s efforts to keep their child living at home, despite significant disabilities.