A notice from Disability Rights New York:
One of the serious issues facing students with disabilities in New York schools is the use of restraints and seclusion. While the use of such measures is permitted in emergency situations, state regulations prohibit restraints and seclusion as ongoing or standard interventions to address behavior. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to determine the actual frequency and scope of the use of restraints and “time out” rooms due to unclear definitions and reporting requirements. We suspect that there is substantial under-reporting and overuse of restraints and seclusion in schools. As the Protection and Advocacy system for New York State, Disability Rights New York is committed to assessing and addressing these issues.
To that end, we need information. Below is a link to a short survey for parents, students, advocates and professionals who work with students with disabilities. The survey should take no more than 2 to 4 minutes. If you have previously taken an earlier version of this survey in recent months, please consider re-taking the survey as additional questions have been added.
If you are aware of anyone who would like to complete this survey but does not have computer access or requires accommodations, please contact DRNY directly at (518) 432-7861 for direct assistance.