Links to Advocacy Organizations
Get Free Legal Help
You can find a list of free lawyers in New York by searching the LawHelpNY.org website and contacting the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) and Legal Services NYC, both of which have specific programs for disability advocacy. Other resources include the NY Courts Help Center, which provides assistance and connects you with programs, and the Mayor’s Office to Facilitate Pro Bono Legal Assistance (FPBLA). These organizations provide free legal help for those who cannot afford an attorney, often focusing on specific areas like Social Security Disability benefits
click https://www.lawhelpny.org/
151 W 30th St #11, New York, NY 10001
WHAT WE DO
NYLPI works to achieve equality of opportunity, self-determination, and independence for people with disabilities. Our advocacy spans community integration, educational rights, equal access to programs and services, and accessible housing. We use a wide range of advocacy tools, including community organizing, coalition-building, individual representation, impact litigation, and legislative advocacy.
We have provided longstanding representation to the plaintiff class of people with developmental disabilities who resided at the notorious Willowbrook State School. We monitor enforcement of a settlement mandating accessible transportation for arrestees with disabilities. In New York’s schools, we are litigating to challenge discrimination against young children with disabilities and to address abuse of students by staff. Other highlights of our advocacy include our ongoing work to reform New York City’s paratransit “Access-a-Ride” system, ensure courthouse access for New Yorkers with disabilities, and advocate for more wheelchair-accessible for-hire vehicles.
GET HELP
If you have a legal issue related to your disability, please call our office at (212) 244-4664 (voice) or 212-244-3692 (TTY), Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
NY Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP)
CDPAP is the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, a New York State Medicaid program that allows eligible individuals to hire and direct their own personal caregivers, including family members and friends. This program provides home care services, including personal care tasks like bathing and dressing, skilled nursing tasks, and companionship, to help consumers live independently in their homes. Eligibility is based on Medicaid and home care need, a stable medical condition, and the ability to self-direct care or have a designated representative
Customer Service Contact Information
English: 1-833-247-5346
Spanish: 1-833-281-0927
TTY: 1-833-204-9042
Monday – Saturday
8:00am – 8:00pm ET
Arabic: 1-833-278-4829
Bangla: 1-833-278-5781
French: 1-833-279-3511
Haitian Creole: 1-833-279-3513
Italian: 1-833-279-3514
Mandarin: 1-833-279-3467
Urdu: 1-833-281-3277
Monday – Friday
8:00am – 6:00pm ET
*closed on State & Federal holidays
Click NY Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP
Personalized ABA therapy services helping children learn, grow, and thrive through compassionate care, tailored programs, and family-focused support.
click https://www.lbaps.com/
INCLUDEnyc connects young people to resources and helps them thrive in school, at work, and in the community
520 8th Ave 25th floor suite 2500, New York, NY 10018
Phone: (212) 677-4650
CLICK https://includenyc.org/
Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA
pcac
2 Broadway, New York, NY 10004
The PCAC is the coordinating body for the three riders councils created by the New York State Legislature in 1981: the Long Island Rail Road Commuter Council (LIRRCC), the Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council (MNRCC), and the New York City Transit Riders Council (NYCTRC). These councils were created to serve as a voice for users of the MTA system in the development and implementation of policy, and to hold the MTA board and management accountable to riders. To accomplish these goals, the PCAC, councils and their professional staff hold regular public meetings; provide public commentary in a variety of forums; and undertake frequent research projects.
Each of the three councils has held one non-voting MTA Board seat since 1995, sitting on and providing input into the relevant MTA agency operating committees at all times. The PCAC’s 38 total members are required to be regular users of the MTA system and serve without pay. The 11 MNRCC members and 12 LIRRCC members are appointed by the Governor’s Office upon the recommendation of appropriate county executives and borough presidents. The 15 NYCTRC members are appointed by the Governor upon recommendation of the mayor, public advocate, and borough presidents.
PCAC Mission Statement:
As a trusted advisor to the MTA, PCAC regularly researches issues, recommends viable solutions, and advocates on behalf of the region’s riders and commuters. The PCAC strives to hold the MTA Board and leadership accountable to users of Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and New York City Transit subways and buses and the Staten Island Railway, by providing informed and timely advice on such matters as service, finance, capital investments, communications, and management.
PCAC Goals:
- To provide a platform to review MTA plans and policies, and to present riders’ positions to the MTA on system-wide issues;
- To evaluate and take positions on operating plans, budget proposals, and capital program priorities;
- To identify and advocate for funding sources to maximize the system’s reliability, lifespan, and environmental sustainability;
- To undertake and publicize at least one major research project annually;
- To prepare and present testimonies relevant to the MTA Board and committee meeting agendas, and to other stakeholder organizations, including elected officials.
Constructive Partnerships Unlimited (Formerly Cerebral Palsy Association of New York State)
40 Rector Street, 15th Floor New York, NY 10006
- Self-Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS): SANYS is a statewide network of self-advocates with intellectual/developmental disabilities. SANYS has regional self-advocacy groups throughout New York State that provide opportunities for people to meet and discuss ideas and concerns with people who have had similar experiences. The regional self-advocacy groups assist people with developmental disabilities to become full and valued members of their communities, and help to educate people on their rights and opportunities.
- Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE): SABE is a national organization that represents and provides services to people with developmental disabilities. SABE’s mission is to ensure that people with disabilities are treated as equals and that they are given the same decisions, choices, rights, responsibilities, and chances to speak up to empower themselves; opportunities to make new friends, and to learn from their mistakes.
- Parent to Parent of NYS: Parent to Parent of New York State builds a supportive network of families to reduce isolation and empower those who care for people with developmental disabilities or special healthcare needs to navigate and influence service systems and make informed decisions.
- NYS Special Education Parent Centers: Parent Centers serve families of children of all ages (birth to 26) and all disabilities (cognitive, physical, behavioral and emotional). Parent Centers provide a variety of services including one-to-one support and assistance, workshops, publications and websites. The majority of staff and board members are parents of children with disabilities, so they are able to bring personal experience and expertise when working with families.
- Independent Living Centers: The New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL)’s mission is improving the quality of life, safeguarding the rights, and ensuring equal opportunities for all people with disabilities, as well as promoting the independent living philosophy both within the disability community and to the public.
- National Down Syndrome Society: The National Down Syndrome Society is the leading human rights organization for all people with Down syndrome.
- Tourette Syndrome Association of Greater New York State (TSA): The Tourette Syndrome Association of Greater New York State is an affiliate chapter of the national Tourette Syndrome Association, Inc., a national voluntary health organization dedicated to identifying the cause, finding the cure and controlling the effects of Tourette Syndrome.
- The Autism Society of America: The Autism Society of America provides advocacy, education, information and referral, support, and community at national, state and local levels through a nationwide network of affiliates.
- The Sibling Leadership Network: The mission of the Sibling Leadership Network is to provide siblings of individuals with disabilities the information, support and tools to advocate with their brothers and sisters and to promote the issues important to them and their entire families.
- Family Support Services Councils: The Family Support Services (FSS) Program helps families who are caring at home for a relative with a developmental disability by providing aid to the caregiver, enhancing family stability and preserving family unity.
- NYS Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs: The Justice Center’s Individual and Family Support Unit provides resources and support for people receiving services and their families.
Welcome to Chance 2 Dance, where we go beyond offering special needs dance classes. Through our innovative, unique programming, we’re expanding the world of inclusive activities, job opportunities, and community involvement.
From holistic physical therapy type dance workshops tailored for individuals with disabilities to creating pathways for personal and professional growth, we are filling the gap between health, wellness, and accessibility.
Our mission is to make dance and community involvement truly inclusive, bridging the intersection of wellness, creativity, and opportunity for all. Because everyone deserves a chance.
Office of the Chief Disability Officer
The Office of the Chief Disability Officer (CDO) advocates on behalf of people with disabilities to represent the issues people with disabilities face. The CDO works to break down silos between state agencies that provide services to people with disabilities, improve diversity, equity, and inclusion for people with disabilities, pushes for progress on state-wide accessibility issues, provides a disability perspective on policy proposals, legislation, state agency operations, and diligently connects with communities and advocates on a wide spectrum of disability issues.
https://www.ny.gov/programs/office-chief-disability-officer
Independent Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Ombudsprogram (IDDO)
In 2023, Section § 33.28 of the New York State Mental Hygiene Law was enacted to establish the IDD Ombudsman to provide independent, conflict-free Ombudsman services to assist individuals with developmental disabilities and preserve their rights.
The IDDO’s mission is to act as a resource and advocate for individuals and families as they navigate OPWDD’s programs and services. CSS operates IDDO in partnership with one specialist agency, New York Lawyers for Public Interest (NYLPI) that provides technical assistance, training, and/or assistance to individuals and their families.
Free and confidential helpline: 800-762-9290
or
Fill out the form to get help find out more information
click
Independent Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Ombudsprogram (IDDO)
Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.
Special Needs Workshops
Interactive, special needs virtual workshops for parents, caregivers and professionals.
Please contact me so we can discuss booking possible dates, times, topics and fee.
Advocacy: They have it. You want it. Now what?
This workshop will share strategies to help you say what you need to say, and do what you need to do in order to find, apply for and obtain what is needed for your family member with a disability and for your whole family as well. Become the best advocate possible!
Needs, Wants Wishes and Dreams
Life can be difficult when caring for a child with a disability. This session will share valuable resources, encourage participants to celebrate their successes as well as their frustrations and difficulties, offer strategies for success and provide motivation to reach your goals, dream about the future and instill hope!
The Stress of Caring for a Child with a Disability
We will share strategies for stress reduction and share concrete experiences and factors causing stress in our lives, caring for a child with a disability. Participants will share their favorite strategies for coping and hopefully learn some new options. Sharing is caring and that sharing can help us all.
We All Belong
An overview of why the inclusion of children with disabilities into mainstream programs benefits all, when done with support, caring, kindness and compassion. Let’s learn more about the laws that support inclusion and hear from participants about their experiences with inclusion into the community.
Stares, Glares and Hurtful Words
When your child is perceived to look or behave in a way that brings on unwanted attention from others, it can be uncomfortable. Let’s share strategies to educate, sensitize and react to these experiences. Let’s dive into this sensitive topic and share our feelings, thoughts and emotions.
Communicating with Kindness
Life is stressful enough without adding the extra burden of having to interact with individuals that add to your stress due to difficult communication skills. Caregivers must interact with professionals and visa versa. It is just a reality of life when a family member has a disability. Let us learn and share techniques to make that interaction as positive as possible.
Summer Options
What are all the issues you must consider when choosing an appropriate summer program for your child with a disability? How do you know your child is ready? How do you prepare your child for a summer experience? Should I choose a mainstream program or a special one? What questions should I ask? Let’s share all the issues and concerns you have as well as sharing how we can find the program that is appropriate for our children with disabilities.
Educational Neglect
How do we best support the needs of vulnerable families caring for children with disabilities? This workshop will focus on issues and interventions to make sure that children who have disabilities are getting the appropriate supports they need to maximize their growth and development with an emphasis on their educational needs. The home environment and school environment are critically important and sometimes they both fall short when it comes to making sure a child with a disability is getting all the appropriate interventions needed to enhance that child’s ability to reach his/her/their potential. You are invited to join us in sharing and caring during a session where all aspects of “Educational Neglect” will be explored. Your input and experience will be welcomed so we can all learn and improve our ability to support our vulnerable families and children.
Benefits and Entitlements
Let’s share information to make sure you know about all the governmental and non-governmental benefits and entitlements for a person with a disability and their family. Came share your issues and concerns.
Transitioning to Adult Services
The School bus has stopped picking up your child-now what? Let’s share various options about the services and resources that your young adult with a disability and the family need to know about now that school has ended or is coming to an end. We will learn about all areas of adult life for someone with a disability.
Caring for Children with Autism: Sharing all the issues and resources.
Caring for Children with Developmental Disabilities: Sharing all the issues and resources.
Ask Gary
Utilizing my 50 years of teaching, social services expertise and advocacy this session will allow participants to bring their problems, barriers, issues of concern and difficulties in obtaining services to the group where I will offer feedback and strategies and all participants can chime in as well.
Gary Shulman, MS. Ed.
Special Needs Workshops
646-596-5642
A Managed Long-Term Care Plan, Hamaspik Choice (MLTC) serves Medicaid-eligible individuals who need long-term care services. Members are assigned a Personal Care Manager who coordinates all aspects of their long-term care, so they can stay in their homes and communities.
click hamaspik of kings county
New York Lawyers for the Public Interest:
NYLPI offers a variety of assistance, from full legal representation to advice, referrals, and support with self-help materials. Let’s find out how we can help
Parent to Parent
Parent to Parent of New York State builds a supportive network of families to reduce isolation and empower those who care for people with developmental disabilities or special healthcare needs to navigate and influence service systems and make informed decisions.
As a statewide network of parents who provide emotional support to families of individuals with special needs, we believe in the power of parents and family members helping each other. We believe that this connection among parents and family members reduces isolation, increases acceptance, and fosters the pursuit of dreams through the sharing of experience and information.
click Parent to Parent
Inclusive Services
Inclusive Services at BPL provides unique programs for children and teens with and without disabilities. Fostering an inclusive environment, we open our doors to all children, parents, caregivers, and educators.
Learn about supporting grieving children. Check out these resources for all ages and these picture books and middle grade books for kids and these books for teens.
March is Developmental Disability Awareness Month. Watch this video about sexuality and people with Developmental Disabilities.
https://www.bklynlibrary.org/inclusive-services
CIDNY is a nonprofit organization founded in 1978. We are part of the Independent Living Centers movement: a national network of grassroots and community-based organizations that enhance opportunities for all people with disabilities to direct their own lives.
CLICK CIDNY
Disabled In Action of Metropolitan New York (DIA) is a civil rights organization, based in New York City, committed to ending discrimination against people with disabilities through litigation and demonstrations.
CLICK DIA Disabled In Action
NYC FAIR
Family, Advocacy, Information & Resources for People with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
THE NYC FAMILY ADVOCACY INFORMATION RESOURCE is a newly formed advocacy group comprised of family members of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and concerned others. As the current family leadership is aging we are looking to the next generation of parents, siblings and others to become active participants in the lives of our loved ones.
Acquainting family members with the intricacies of the service delivery system for people with I/DD benefits everyone. It empowers families to advocate effectively. It will bring new people to the DD Councils. By increasing family representation, the DD Councils can become more collaborative, expand advocacy and better reflect the needs of families.
Our Mission:
- Expand and strengthen the community of interest
- Replenish leadership by recruiting, training, and mentoring younger parents and siblings.
- Empower families by providing information about services for all age groups
- Connect families with other families
- Empower family advocates
We propose to support our mission and achieve common goals by starting a Mentor/Mentee Program
CLICK NYC FAIR
Abigail WinokurHealth Education Coordinator, CUNY ISPHPhone: (929) 705-5554Email: abigail.winokur@sph.cuny.edu Participant Interest Form: https://forms.gle/iL2gwrUCT4WJHehi7zPara español haga clic aquí: https://forms.gle/1Q44WmHE5AVhzWoB8
CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy55 W. 125th St. #7th FloorNew York, NY 10027
farmer’s market nyc
Harvest Home Farmer’s Market provides low-income communities with access to farm fresh local produce and the education to achieve healthier lifestyles.
GrowNYC
GrowNYC was originally created in 1970 as the Council on the Environment of New York City (CENYC). Born out of the spirit of the first Earth Day, CENYC was initially a policy-based organization, writing comprehensive reports about quality of life issues like air quality, traffic, and noise. Our city has changed a lot since then and so have we.
Today, GrowNYC is a leading 501(3)(c) environmental nonprofit in NYC. We touch the lives of more than 3 million New Yorkers by providing essential sustainability services and opportunities to make NYC a greener city. One where every New Yorker can enjoy a healthier, more sustainable life. Our mission is to empower all New Yorkers with equitable access to fresh, locally grown food, neighborhood green spaces, and care for the environment.
We envision a New York City where fresh, nutritious food is ensured as a basic human right. Where our foodshed is protected and local farmers prosper. Where all have access to places to gather and grow. Where we handle our waste responsibly. And where all New Yorkers, especially those with frontline identities*, are empowered to enact their vision of a thriving community.
*“Frontline identities” includes but is not limited to BIPOC, queer, those with disabilities, and new immigrants
if you like to add group information or do you have a question Please contact
Brooklyn Family Support
Service Advisory Council
BFSSAC 718-264-5084
During hours 9:30am to 5;30pm
Monday to Friday
Fax 718-998-2617