By Dr. Jeffery Fox
Educating and nurturing children and young adults with developmental disabilities are among the most critical needs—and the most rewarding endeavors—a community can face. That mission, however, has become additionally challenging as more children are diagnosed with developmental disabilities. There is a dire shortage of high-quality special education programs and qualified teachers to serve them.
The Ground Reality
The proportion of students with developmental disabilities—a subset of special education overall—has been climbing. A 2023 survey from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that, among children ages 3–17, the percentage with developmental disabilities rose to 8.65% in 2021 from 7.4% two years prior.
At the start of this school year, 72% of public schools nationwide with at least one special education vacancy had trouble finding fully certified teachers, the National Center for Education Statistics reported. In the Northeast, that number was 77%.
That need is certainly felt in the Hudson Valley region of New York State. Abilities First recently stepped in to provide specialized preschool and school-age services at two programs in New York’s Orange County when their previous administrator opted out of the education space, citing difficulty finding teachers. The programs would have ceased had Abilities First not intervened.
A Lending Hand
Combined, two locations employ about 130 staff members and serve approximately 200 preschool and school-age students with disabilities. These programs foster students’ growth and help them lead fulfilling lives. The programs also support their families. This prepares students with disabilities for success in life even after school.
To close the gap between the critical need and programs available, more must be done to increase education slots to serve these students and families. We also must attract devoted, highly trained special education teachers. That means offering sufficient compensation, ample resources to support their work and a positive work environment fostering appreciation.
Abilities First is proud to do their part. They are committed to fulfilling students’ needs and supporting their families to advance independence and quality of life. But we need help to make sure educational resources are available to every family that needs them.
Dr. Jeffery Fox is CEO of Abilities First, which educates students with developmental disabilities in New York’s Hudson Valley. Learn more at AbilitiesFirstNY.org.
