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Unafraid to speak up and speak out
UFT members share first-person accounts recounting their success resolving issues through the special education complaint process. The process is a powerful tool to safeguard students' welfare as well as members' workplace rights and members should...
National Speech-Language-Hearing Month Celebration 2026
About 200 members, students and their guests gathered at UFT headquarters for the 20th annual celebration of National Speech-Language-Hearing Month (formerly known as Better Speech and Hearing Month). The UFT Speech Improvement Chapter recognized speech teachers and their students for exceptional projects that showcased the breadth and depth of therapies that speech teachers provide.
The fight for District 75 placement
UFT Vice President MaryJo Ginese writes that a half-century after the passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which required an "appropriate education" for students with disabilities, the city DOE still has work to do.
Raising our voices for special education
UFT Vice President for Special Education MaryJo Ginese writes that our special education teachers, paraprofessionals and related service providers do incredible work supporting children with IEPs, but the DOE too often has not fulfilled its part.
Better tool to assure special ed compliance
The new contract establishes school-based Special Education Committees and annual training of all staff on special education rules and regulations. Vice President for Special Education MaryJo Ginese writes that these new rights will empower members...
Speaking up for students with disabilities
The city’s superintendents gathered at UFT headquarters in early October. UFT Vice President for Special Education MaryJo Ginese said the union made it clear to them at this introductory meeting that when special education compliance issues are...
VP for Special Education
MaryJo Ginese worked for the Department of Education as an occupational therapist for more than 21 years. After her promotion to supervisor of therapists in 2007, she provided exemplary clinical support to occupational therapists, where she was known...