Poughkeepsie, N.Y. (September 26, 2016) – Earlier this month, Abilities First, with the assistance of State Assemblymember Didi Barrett, received approval from the New York State EducationThe process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs and habits. We believe all children and adults can benefit from quality education. More Department (NYSED) to create an innovative integrated preschool program in Hyde Park, N.Y., the first of its kind in New York State. Slated to open in the 2016-2017 school year, Abilities First will offer the opportunity for students with developmental delays and disabilities ages 3 – 4 to learn side-by-side with other children in an inclusive environment.

This is not the first program to combine preschool students with and without disabilities, but what makes this program new and innovative is the proportions of students with and without developmental delays and disabilities. The traditional model for integrated preschool classrooms is made up of approximately half (50%) of students with developmental delays and disabilities. The Abilities First integrated preschool model will include students with developmental delays and disabilities in regular classrooms at ratios that approximate what would be found in any naturally occurring context. That is, 25% students with disabilities or less. The result will be a richer experience for both students with and without developmental delays and disabilities.

About this news, Dr. Jeffery Fox, Chief Executive Officer of Abilities First said, “We are strongly committed to the creation of opportunities for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to participate in all stages of community life. With the support of the State EducationThe process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs and habits. We believe all children and adults can benefit from quality education. More Department, we will be piloting this program over the next three years to demonstrate the value of this innovative integrationThe practice of including people with special needs in all aspects of typical community life. Abilities First believes that if integration occurs naturally in a setting (e.g., classroom, place of work, residential neighborhood, etc.), the ratio of people with disabilities to those without should approximate what is found in the total population. That is, less than or equal to 20% people with disabilities. More model at the preschool level. We believe it will enhance the social and educational experience for children with and without developmental delays and disabilities.”

Abilities First worked closely with New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett and her staff throughout the application process. Because the program model is without precedent, the State EducationThe process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs and habits. We believe all children and adults can benefit from quality education. More Department, Abilities First, and Assemblymember Barrett’s office collaborated in a creative way to create this inclusive opportunity.

“As a mother I know that no two children learn the same way which means innovation and new thinking in the classroom are essential for a successful learning environment,” said Assemblymember Didi Barrett. “I commend Dr. Fox and his team at Abilities First for their vision to develop this new integrated preschool model for students with disabilities and I appreciate that the State EducationThe process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs and habits. We believe all children and adults can benefit from quality education. More Department recognized this opportunity to explore a new kind of integrated classroom that more closely follows societal ratios.”

The integrated preschool placements for students with disabilities will be combined with the already existing Universal Pre-kindergarten (UPK) program that Abilities First operates in collaboration with the Hyde Park Central School District. The UPK program was established in 2014 as part of Governor Cuomo’s state-wide Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) initiative. Housed in the Hyde Park Elementary School, the UPK program consists of 68 students in 4 classes. The expanded program will mean adding a 5th classroom and 22 students with developmental delays and disabilities that would otherwise receive preschool services in programs that were only for children with disabilities.

Abilities First and Assemblymember Barrett hope to see this innovative integrated preschool model replicated statewide. For more information about the integrated preschool program, contact Leann Coyle, Director of Preschool and Universal Pre-K programs for Abilities First at 845-298-2090 ext. 104.

In addition to the UPK and Preschool, Abilities First provides a range of educational services, including the Abilities First School in LaGrange, N.Y. for students, ages 5 – 21 with developmental disabilities, including students on the AutismA developmental condition that affects social interactions, communication and repetitive behavior. A person with autism may or may not also have an intellectual disability. More Spectrum.