SCHAKOWSKY HONORED FOR SECURING FUNDS TO ASSIST CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN THE CLASSROOM
SCHAKOWSKY HONORED FOR SECURING FUNDS TO ASSIST
CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
IN THE CLASSROOM
MORTON GROVE, IL - U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today received an award from the Illinois State Board of Education for her unwavering commitment to ensuring that students with disabilities have access to high quality education. Schakowsky secured a $553,000 grant to the Illinois State Board of Education that helped the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago (UCP) increase training and education, equipment availability, and information services to students and persons with disabilities and their families.
"Assistive technology helps ensure that crucial needs of the physically disabled, hearing impaired, visually impaired and learning disabled persons in the classroom, workplace, and the community are met," Schakowsky said.
Prior to the award ceremony, Schakowsky toured the Julia S. Molloy Education Center and met with students who are benefiting from the assistive technology. The equipment is providing students with the opportunity to participate in classroom discussions, talk with friends, and communicate freely with their teachers and instructors.
The Board of Education awarded the funds to UCP to advance the assistive technology services provided through the Infinitec Coalitions. The Infinitec Coalitions are facilitated and managed by UCP. More than 300 school districts across Illinois have voluntarily joined this grassroots effort to address the assistive technology needs of their communities.
"The importance of assistive technology to the development of these young men and women is immeasurable. Having seen this first hand, I will continue to push for more funding for this critical project. These tools are essential to providing the quality education that all students deserve," Schakowsky said.
Schakowsky added that nearly 13 percent of public school students -- or about 5.9 million children -- were enrolled in programs for the disabled in the 1997-98 school year, according to a US Education Department study. That's an 8 percent increase from the 1976-77 school year. She stated that she will work with organizations like UCP to give students with disabilities access to general services and an opportunity to join their non-disabled peers in the classroom.
"I share UCP's commitment to the independence, inclusion and self-determination of all persons with disabilities. Together, we can ensure that this goal becomes a reality," Schakowsky said.
Attending today's event were Dr. Glenn (Max) McGee State Superintendent of Education; Dr. Kenneth Randle, Executive Director of Niles Township Department of Special Education; and Dr. Paul Dulle, Executive Director of UCP Chicago/Infinitec.