Institute for Career Development Opens First Ged Test Center in New York City Designed Specifically to Address the Needs of People with Disabilities
New York, NY – September 12, 2023 – The Institute for Career Development (ICD) announced today the opening of the first GED test center in New York City designed specifically to address the needs of people with disabilities. Located at 123 William Street in lower Manhattan, the test center can provide full accessibility to anyone with a disability who receives approval for special accommodations for taking a GED test to obtain a high school equivalency diploma.
At the opening ceremony, Martha K. Jackson, Assistant Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities – and Interim Executive Director of the Center for Workplace Accessibility and Inclusion – said, “There is now an accessible, supportive, and respectful center where proper accommodations will be provided. This will make a significant difference for those who are unemployed and underemployed, who didn’t follow a traditional educational route, but deserve every chance to be a New Yorker who can live, learn, work, and thrive.”
New York City has a population of about 7.9 million people, nearly 1 million of whom live with a disability – with an estimated 10% or 100,000 using wheelchairs. Yet there has not previously been a GED test center designed for New Yorkers with disabilities – no matter what the nature of the disability is. The new test center addresses that need.
The ICD GED Fully Accessible Test Center offers specialized equipment to supplement the standard equipment needed for taking the test, which is taken on a computer. The standard equipment includes a dedicated network, operating software, test laptops, laptop software, videocams, electronic signature pads, and computer monitors. The supplemental equipment includes general assistive technology – such as noise-canceling headphones, advanced screen reading software, and dictation software – as well as specific assistive technology – such as eye tracking devices; ergonomic keyboards, mice, touchpads, and joysticks; wrist supports; screen magnification and adjustable monitor arms for viewing ease; and remote-controlled, wheelchair-accessible, adjustable desks and sit-stand desk mount monitor arms.
Left to right: ICD Co-President Joseph McDonald, NYC Assistant Commissioner Martha Jackson, ICD Board Chair Richard Weber, and ICD Co-President Diosdado Gica celebrate the ribbon-cutting at the official opening of the ICD GED Test Center.
Many of these accommodations can be applied in a group setting. Three separate rooms at the Test Center are available for those who require privacy when taking the test.
The ICD GED Fully Accessible Test Center can thereby address the full range of learning and physical disabilities. It can test up to 15 people at a time, depending on the precise mix of disabilities and the number of subjects (mathematical reasoning, reasoning through language arts, social studies, and science) being tested for each individual. It will offer two test sessions a month initially with the ability to add testing days based on demand.
The testing is provided without charge to the person being tested. In New York State, test centers are prohibited from charging individuals for their GED test. Instead, test centers submit requests for reimbursement to the New York State Education Department.
Individuals needing special accommodations must apply to New York State’s GED Testing Service. ICD can provide support to those individuals in preparing their applications. Information on how to apply for accommodations is available at www.icdnyc.org/gedtest. ICD also offers pre-GED tutoring for people with disabilities interested in pursuing the GED test. These services are also offered free of charge to the individual.
“The ICD GED Fully Accessible Test Center is an essential addition to the services offered to people with disabilities in New York City,” said Diosdado Gica, ICD President of Programs and Operations. “It provides a way for New Yorkers with any disability, who lack a high school diploma, to fulfill a crucial step in pursuing their greatest career ambitions. Today, most job postings require, at a minimum, a high school degree or its equivalent.”
“The ICD GED Fully Accessible Test Center provides a model for New York City as well as the state and the nation,” said Joseph T. McDonald, ICD President of Development and Communications. “Individuals with disabilities are the nation’s largest minority group and the largest untapped labor pool. Enabling all people with disabilities to take the GED test should be a priority at all levels of government.”
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Henry Miller at hmiller@highimpactpartnering.com.
About ICD
ICD - Institute for Career Development is a nonprofit workforce development organization for people with disabilities. Founded in 1917 and based in New York City, ICD helps youth and adults transform their lives through career services and employment. We specialize in assisting individuals as they prepare for and navigate career pathways at all stages of life from high school through adulthood.