Teach NYS, a division of the Orthodox Union advocating for equitable government funding for New York nonpublic schools, welcomed the New York City Department of Education announcement that students in nonpublic schools who receive special education and related services from the city will be eligible to apply for the free iPad distribution program.
“The city’s decision to offer free iPads to students in nonpublic schools, who receive special education and related services, marks a step forward in both inclusion and equity of government resource distribution,” said Teach NYS executive director Maury Litwack.
“Without technology, nonpublic school students with individualized education plans (IEPs) cannot receive critical services and programs vital to their progress while schools remain closed due to social distancing,” he added, referring to the guidelines issued by federal, state and local governments in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Along with our partners, UJA Federation of New York and the Jewish Education Project, Teach NYS will continue to fight for free iPad distribution to all nonpublic school children, none of whom can afford to fall behind,” continued Litwack.
Yachad international director Avrohom Adler said “this program is critical and will help ease the burden that so many of our students and their families have carried.”
Yachad’s Individualized Vocational Development Unit, or IVDU, is a school for children and individuals with special-education needs.