This past legislative session, Assemblyman Santabarbara was a sponsor of legislation to make sure that local school districts develop policies that ensure students with disabilities have the opportunity to take part in their high school graduation. Santabarbara announced that the bill passed in both the Assembly and Senate at the end of the legislative session, and was signed into law last night, Wednesday, November 29th (Ch. 410 of 2017).

“On graduation day, students with disabilities must not be left out,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “We must ensure that all students who work hard to earn a diploma can get the recognition they deserve,” Santabarbara added. “This bill will ensure that in high schools across the state, students with disabilities can celebrate this accomplishment with their fellow students just like everybody else.”

Santabarbara’s 16-year-old son, Michael, was diagnosed with autism at age 3. Prior to the bill, New York did not require schools to allow students with disabilities to participate in their graduation ceremonies. The legislation will now require districts to establish a policy for students with disabilities to participate in graduation. By recognizing that some students may take a different route to graduation, the bill ensures that they too can celebrate their success with their classmates, teachers and families.

"Every student deserves the opportunity to walk the stage and receive the diploma they've earned," said Schalmont CSD superintendent Dr. Carol Pallas. "Graduating high school is one of the great milestones of our lives, and these students should have the ability to celebrate the moment with their peers. We will continue to welcome all our students to the stage and honor their accomplishments."

"Students with developmental disabilities should be able to participate in graduation ceremonies with their fellow peers and friends who they have been attending school with since early on,” said Janine D. Kruiswijk, Executive Director of the Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region. “On behalf of the Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region, I want to extend my sincerest thanks to Assemblyman Santabarbara for continuing to advocate for all New Yorkers and their families living with autism.”