Advocacy Progress:
Current Issues
TA has been working on multiple issues since its founding, July 2023. We have worked on raising awareness on the harms of KOSA (Kids Online Safety Act), raising funds for the Maui Wildfires, supporting the Dhaka protests in Bangladesh, fundraising for food banks in NYC, and fighting against Seclusion and Restraint practices. Our current fight is banning Seclusion and Restraint in NYS and implementing safer disciplinary actions for children.
Student Disability Rights
Students with disabilities continue to face serious rights violations through harmful practices like seclusion and physical restraint—methods often misused as discipline rather than last-resort safety measures. These practices disproportionately impact disabled and minority students, leading to trauma and, in some cases, injury or death. With no federal ban and inconsistent state enforcement, this reflects a broader failure to create inclusive, well-resourced educational environments.
Mental Health in Teens
Teens face increasing mental health challenges due to academic pressure, social media, and emotional stress. Many suffer from anxiety, depression, and isolation, yet support remains limited and stigmatized. Promoting mental health education, self-care, and supportive environments is essential to ensure teens thrive both emotionally and academically.
Equal Access to Resources
Students in low-income and marginalized communities often lack access to basic resources like quality education, healthcare, and transportation. In NYC, funding disparities between neighborhoods widen the achievement gap and limit long-term success. These inequities reinforce cycles of poverty and discrimination, affecting students’ overall well-being and development.