Nearly 1 in 5 disabled students in Chicago didn't have a bus for the first day of school
Nearly 1 in 5 disabled students in Chicago didn't have a bus for the first day of school
Plus: 'Ultra-Accessible' Texas hotel opening in 2026; and Paralympian Allison Lang opens up over her journey of self-acceptance
Medical Motherhood’s news round up
Snippets of news and opinion from outlets around the world. Click the links for the full story.
• From the Chicago Sun-Times: “Nearly 20% of CPS students with disabilities had no bus ride on the first day of school”
As Chicago Public Schools deals with a continued bus driver shortage and skyrocketing requests, more than 1,900 disabled Chicago Public Schools students — about 18% of those in need — still didn’t have bus service as classes began Monday.
That’s according to figures CPS released Friday.
CPS CEO Pedro Martinez pledged to have all students routed during the first couple of weeks of school.
[…]District officials say they have routed more students now than at the start of school last year, but that requests for transportation have also increased dramatically. CPS said Friday that as of Aug. 21, nearly 8,800 students with disabilities had been routed, up from 6,800 at the same time last year.
The district prioritizes busing for students with disabilities as well as unhoused students, as required by law. Nearly 10,695 students with disabilities have requested transportation — an increase of 50% compared with last year, according to the district. The percentage of disabled and unhoused students enrolled in CPS also has been going up.
[…]“It is a total mess,” said Terri Roback, a special education advocate. She says she has heard from many parents who are facing busing problems and that Facebook pages are full of complaints.
“There are people on there saying they are in tears, crying because they don’t know how they are going to get their children to school. It is a real hardship,” she said.
[…]As was the case last year, some families are being offered $500 a month to transport their children to schools. But this year, the district is limiting this incentive to those it can not otherwise route and who live more than 5 miles from their placement. It is expecting that 1,200 fewer students will qualify. […]
• From Disability Scoop: “‘Ultra-Accommodating’ Hotel Concept Goes Beyond ADA Accessible”
A new hotel designed to provide accommodations for people of all ages and abilities is in the works and major chains including Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt are vying to have their name on the door.
The property, which planners say will serve as a model for the hospitality industry, will feature wider hallways, larger guest rooms, easy access to elevators and other modifications that exceed the standards required under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Staff will be trained in disability etiquette, how to assist with mobility devices and provide various accommodations ranging from hearing aid loops to sensory-sensitive lighting.
The forthcoming Morgan’s Hotel will be located in San Antonio near Morgan’s Wonderland, a one-of-a-kind theme park that’s fully accessible to people with disabilities.
[…]The hotel, which is expected to break ground later this year and open in 2026, will benefit from the expertise gained in developing other Morgan’s venues, according to those behind the project.
[…]“Morgan’s Hotel will do for the hospitality industry what our other entities have done — create spaces where everyone feels welcomed and included,” said [developer Gordon] Hartman [whose daughter, Morgan, is disabled].
• From Good to Know: “I’m a Paralympian. We’re not your ‘inspiration’ — we’re elite athletes” by Paralympian Allison Lang
[…]When I share my excitement about competing in my first Paralympic Games, some people correct me and ask if I mean the Olympics. Some people confuse the Paralympics with the Special Olympics, which are for people with cognitive and intellectual disabilities. But it gives me the chance to explain the differences between the games. Being a Paralympian isn’t less impressive. The para in Paralympics doesn’t mean paraplegic like many believe. The para means parallel. They run parallel to the Olympic games. The Paralympic Games might include different events, but both showcase elite athletes coming together to represent their home country in sports.
[…]I, too, once held some internal ableism, even though I was born without my left leg below the knee (to the surprise of my parents and the doctors). While my parents are amazing and raised me like any other child, I struggled to accept myself. Others bullied me for my disability, and I tried so hard to hide my prosthetic, wearing long pants regardless of how hot it was and lying about why I walked with a limp.
[…]I was at the lowest point of my life when I was invited to play sitting volleyball. My first thought was hell no. Being associated with an adaptive sport meant embracing my disability. Throughout my life I wanted to fit in and playing sitting volleyball would make me stick out.
[…]While I enjoyed the sport, it was my teammates who kept me coming back. These women shared their stories about how they became disabled and displayed their resiliency. They had careers, families, children — all of the things I hoped for my own life — and they were elite athletes. I finally found people I could aspire to be like.
More Paralympic events than ever are being televised during the Paris Games and I hope this means more disabled children see incredible athletes who look like them. Growing up, I didn’t realize I could be a disabled athlete because I didn’t know they existed. I hope that I can be the role model that I never had.
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I love the idea of the ultra accessible hotel! I also really like the article educating folks on the difference between the Special Olympics and the Paralympics. When my daughter was in elementary school, a discussion emerged around students with cognitive and intellectual disabilities who had some level of ability to participate, but were "too impaired" to participate in the current Special Olympics with the way it is designed. These particular kids, mine included, enjoy participating, but require a certain level of assistance. Currently, there are no OFFICIAL sports at the higher levels of competition that accommodate that level of assistance for participants in the Special Olympics. Is there a thing as being "too" disabled for the Special Olympics? Parents in some of my Facebook groups have posed this question before.