A Disabled Teacher's Fight for Job Security: The City's Controversial Move

Abraham Freud, a dedicated special-ed teacher with 24 years of experience under his belt, now faces a fight he wasn't expecting. Scoliosis and arthritis have made it impossible for him to manage a classroom full of autistic students. Instead of offering support, the New York City Department of Education (DOE) seems determined to fire him. Just two days before Christmas, the DOE went to court to lift an order blocking his termination. They claimed paying his salary while he's on sick leave was a misuse of taxpayer funds. Freud's lawyer, Christina Martinez, pointed out that this move not only shows a lack of empathy but also violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. “This case highlights the DOE's neglect towards disabled employees and their legal rights, ” she said. Freud, a father of four, is simply asking for a less physically demanding job, like an attendance teacher. However, it seems the DOE has other plans. In November, Freud couldn't return to PS K369, a Brooklyn school for kids with severe disabilities. He applied for less strenuous roles but was ignored due to a mysterious “problem code” on his file. "I never got back one response, " he said. The DOE's stance raises questions about their commitment to supporting disabled employees and their legal obligations.