New York City has announced a commitment of $800 million to improve the accessibility of school buildings for individuals with physical disabilities over the forthcoming five-year period. This investment is less than the $1.25 billion that disability advocates have called for. Presently, a mere fraction, specifically less than one-third, of public schools in the city are completely accessible to those with mobility challenges. Advocates are voicing concerns that the increased budget will not suffice to address the compounded effects of inflation and the escalating costs associated with construction.
The issue of inaccessibility in educational facilities has been a longstanding obstacle, constraining the educational choices and opportunities for students with physical disabilities. This limitation has been particularly impactful in the context of the city’s educational choice system. Despite the planned investment, by the conclusion of the ongoing capital plan, the aim is to have one out of every three schools fully accessible, which marks an improvement from one out of every five schools in the past five years.
Details regarding the exact proportion of schools that the city’s Department of Education and the School Construction Authority intend to make fully accessible with the new capital plan have not been disclosed.
