Council Member Zhuang speaks on Intro 853 for special education access
Council Member Susan Zhuang advocates for Intro 853, which requires an annual study on how geographic location, income, and language affect access to special education. She shares the story of a school bus incident involving nonverbal students.
Thank you.
Please keep it down in the chambers, please.
Thank you.
Okay, thank you.
And also I want to thank Speaker Manning and my colleagues for passing my first bill, first education bill, intro
6884, in my access for all package two weeks ago, expanding equitable access to gifted and talented programs.
Today we are voting on its sister bill, intro 853, to help ensure every child can access special education programs they need.
On December 16, 2025, a school bus carrying six nonverbal special ed students aged from six to eight, even missing for more than four hours.
As a mother, I cannot imagine the fear those families have.
suffered.
Too many children in the outborough have to travel long bus rides to reach the service they need.
Meanwhile, language barriers and family income can make it even harder for parents to navigate the system.
We cannot wait to address this inequality issue.
Intro 853 requires the city to study annually how geographic income and language access affect access to special education programs and services.
We need this data to identify the gaps and find solutions.
No child should be left behind because their zip code, their family income, or the language they spoke at home.
Every child deserves access to the education they need to succeed.
I urge my colleagues, please vote yes on intro.
853.
Thank you.
Thank you, Councilmember.