PAGE 1 OCTOBER 2015-NEW YORK ABLE NEWSPAPER

VOLUME 21 NUMBER 4 OCTOBER 2015

AWARD-WINNING

New York

THE NEWSPAPER POSITIVELY FOR, BY & ABOUT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES NEW YORK ABLE NEWSPAPER-JANUARY 2015 PAGE 1 UNDERGROUND SERVICE IN THIS ISSUE Housing Suit Settled Developers Settle Hudson Yards Station Fully Accessible For $1.3 Million + PAGE 2

Guidelines for Parents HHS & DOJ Help Protect Against Discrimination PAGE 3

NYPD Sued Deaf Plaintiff Alleges Interpreter Not Provided PAGE 3

Employment A Look at Job Market for PWD PAGES 6 & 7

Uber Protested Advocates Demonstrate At Taxi Headquarters PAGE 9

Sports Paralympics, Fitness, Soccer, Track & Field and Kayaking PAGE 16

Mayor Bill de Blasio recently joined the Metropoli- The principal entrance to the new subway is located tan Transportation Authority (MTA), development in the park, between West 33rd and West 34th streets. partners and elected officials to mark the commence- The subway extension and new park are key ele- ment of passenger service on the 7 subway exten- ments of the broader program to transform the sion and the opening of a new station at 34th St. Hudson Yards area into a mixed-use district. The and 11th Ave. to link commuters to Manhattan’s far extension of the 7 line is fully accessible, and fea- VISIT west side. tures include two elevators from the street to the The city also announced that the first phase of platform, detectable warning strips that identify the ABLE'S Hudson Park and Boulevard is open to the public, platforms edge for passengers with visual disabili- WEBSITE adding 2.5 acres of open space between West 33rd ties and loop systems for those with hearing impair- and West 36th streets and 10th and 11th avenues. ments. WWW. ABLENEWS.COM NEW YORK ABLE NEWSPAPER-OCTOBER 2015 PAGE 2 BOOK REVIEW talk. Onedayshegetsacom- ting teasedalongwithMelody. Melody evenifitmeansget- enough tobefriendswith Melody’s agewhoiskind except Rose.Roseisagirl classroom everyoneteasesher ing. Shecan’tcontrolit. waving herarmsandscream- She startskickingherlegsand plosion iswhatmelodycallsit. nado explosion.”Atornadoex- she getsangryandhasa“tor- she canexpressherselfiswhen to cerebralpalsy.Theonlyway isn’t abletomoveorspeakdue about agirlnamedMelodywho O FHJC testinginvestigationthat Vilchez andtheresultsofa complaint FHJCreceivedfrom ciates. P.C., andGaryD.CanellaAsso- tecture andLandSurveying, Engineering, LandscapeArchi- Meyer Consulting,Planning Miele Associates,LLP,John Overlook DevelopmentCorp., RPA Associates,LLC,RPE Powell CoveAssociatesLLC; Powell CDevelopmentCorp., named asdefendants,AVR- Company, LLC,thelawsuit quirements infairhousinglaws. pliance withtheaccessibilityre- ily housinginNewYorkcom- to designandconstructmultifam- ability discriminationbyfailing and engineers,engagedindis- oper, alongwithitsarchitects that anationalhousingdevel- lawsuit. Thecomplaintalleged wheelchair, filedafairhousing who isparalyzedandusesa and SuzanneVilchez,awoman Housing JusticeCenter(FHJC) County. Overlook PointeinDutchess tates inQueensCountyand developments -PowellCoveEs- of twomulti-familyresidential proper designandconstruction tion lawsuitinvolvingtheim- resolving adisabilitydiscrimina- Housing CaseSettledfor $1.3Million+ Melody wishesthatshecould When shegoestoanew “out ofmymind”isanovel The lawsuitstemmedfroma In additiontoAVRRealty In August,2013,theFair By SofieMelledy Wood signedanorder Court JudgeKimba n Aug27U.S.District ‘out ofmymind’ velopmental difficultiesal- ences raisingachildwithde- Melody basedonherexperi- who modeledthecharacterof was writtenbySharonDraper know. ligent butcan’tletothers ing itisforachildwhointel- look smartandhowfrustrat- can besmarteveniftheydon’t learning. one seesthatsheiscapableof team thingschangeandevery- score. Whenshegetsonthe Contest andgotthehighest she ischeating. to say.Herclassmatesthink puter thatsayswhatshewants $400,000 fromdefendantsto FHJC forfouryears. struction willbemonitoredby multifamily residentialcon- ity complianceattheirfuture have agreedthattheaccessibil- training. Inaddition,defendants policies andattendfairhousing pense andtoadoptfairhousing at OverlookPointetheirex- make retrofitstocommonareas also requiresdefendantsto at PowellCove. as wellsomecommonareas the apartmentownedbyVilchez, costs associatedwithretrofitting damages, attorney’sfeesandthe $900,000 totheplaintiffsfor another person. ment withouttheassistanceof traverse theresidentialdevelop- was unabletoleaveherhomeor architectural barriers,Vilchez someone usingawheelchair. driveways weretoosteepfor too low;andgroundfloorunit electrical outletsweremounted stats weremountedtoohigh; doors weretoonarrow;thermo- doors weretoohigh;interior thresholds forfrontandpatio including, butnotlimitedto, the residentialdevelopments wheelchair accessthroughout investigation foundinadequate tates andOverlookPointe.The accessibility atPowellCoveEs- identified multiplebarriersto Ed Note:“outofmymind” The bookteachesthatpeople She triedoutforaWhizKids The FHJCwillalsoreceive The settlementagreement The defendantswillpay Furthermore, becauseofthe 295 pages. daughter andispurefiction. though Melodyisnother quences.” pliance canhavecostlyconse- family housing–thatnon-com- volved indevelopingnewmulti- sends amessagetothosein- ments. Wehopethissettlement ance withaccessibilityrequire- multifamily housingincompli- fail todesignandconstructnew ers, architects,andengineers disability occurswhendevelop- right. Discriminationbasedon make accessiblehousingacivil commented, “Fairhousinglaws residential development.” create accessiblemultifamily on theirobligationtodevelopand abled personsandtoputfocus ing discriminationagainstdis- have agreedtoceasetheirhous- enthusiastic thatdefendants user himself,said,“Plaintiffsare Bahamonde, P.C. the Bahamondeof Law Officesof James E. and James Brinckerhoff &AbadyLLP Alison FrickofEmeryCelli sented byDianeHoukand tions madetotheirunits. who needaccessibilitymodifica- cal disabilitiesatPowellCove ing; andunitownerswithphysi- fications totheirexistinghous- ing tomakeaccessibilitymodi- with physicaldisabilitiesseek- gible homeownersandrenters nancial assistancetoincome-eli- which willbeusedtoprovidefi- establish anAccessibilityFund, Brooklyn, N.Y. school studentin grade juniorhigh 11-year-old sixth Sofie Melledyisan Publisher AtheneumBooks– FHJC Pres. Gene Capello Bahamonde, awheelchair The plaintiffswererepre- Advertising forthe for Editorialand Able The Deadline Nov. Issueof isOct.13 Assemblymember DavidWeprin of thespace occupiedbytheerror. sponsible forerrorsinadvertisementsbeyondtheprice without thepermissionofpublisher. vertisements. Nopartofthispublicationmaybereprinted per. reflect theviewofeditor/publisher further approval.Editorialmaterialdoesnotnecessarily others andthatthematerialmaybepublishedwithout that thematerialisnotaninfringementofrights scripts orart.Submissionsaretheauthor’swarranty lope. Noresponsibilityisassuredforunsolicitedmanu- be accompaniedbyaself-addressedstampedenve- ticles. However, toassuresafereturn,manuscripts must Able Melmont Printing,6RobertCourt,Bethpage, N.Y. 11714. NEWSPAPER. being paid foratBethpage, N.Y. postoffice. ©1994 P.O. Box395, Old Bethpage, N.Y. 11804. Periodicalsare Postmaster: Sendaddresschangesto P.O. 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News ABLE at PAGE 3 OCTOBER 2015-NEW YORK ABLE NEWSPAPER HHS and DOJ Issue Guidelines for Parental Rights he United States De- neglect. The goals of child wel- two-day-old infant. She was de- 57 days from a couple because partment of Health fare and disability non-dis- nied reasonable accommoda- of their blindness. and Human Services crimination are mutually at- tions. Similarly, after a child wel- T(HHS) and the U.S. Department fare agency removed a three- tainable and complementary. As a result, this family was of Justice (DOJ) have issued For example, ensuring that separated for more than two year-old from his grandmother, technical assistance to help parents and prospective par- years. because she had arthritis and child welfare agencies and ents with disabilities have According to a 2012 report a mobility impairments, the courts to ensure that the wel- equal access to parenting op- from the National Council on toddler developed behavioral fare of children and families is portunities increases the op- Disability (NCD), parents with issues and progressively de- protected in a manner that also portunities for children to be disabilities are overly, and of- tached from his grandmother, protects the civil rights of par- placed in safe and caring ten inappropriately, referred to though he had had no such ex- ents and prospective parents homes. child welfare services. Further- periences before this separa- with disabilities. Both the HHS Office for Civil more, they are permanently tion. This guidance provides an Rights (OCR) and the DOJ separated at disproportionately It is unlawful to remove a overview of the issues and ap- Civil Rights Division have re- high rates. child from a parent with a dis- plication of civil rights laws, ceived numerous complaints of NCD concluded that among ability based on beliefs that answers to specific questions discrimination from individu- parents with disabilities, par- people with disabilities are un- and implementation examples als with disabilities involved ents with intellectual or psychi- able to safely parent their chil- for child welfare agencies and with the child welfare system, atric disabilities face the most dren. Each case must be deter- courts, as well as resources to and the frequency of such com- discrimination based on stereo- mined individually. consult for additional informa- plaints is rising. types, lack of individualized as- However, under Title II of tion. The OCR and DOJ have sessments and failure to pro- the ADA, in some cases, a par- Section 504 of the Rehabili- found that child welfare agen- vide needed services. ent or prospective parent with tation Act of 1973 and Title II cies and courts vary in the ex- Parents who are blind or deaf a disability may not be appro- of the Americans with Disabili- tent to which they have imple- also report significant discrimi- priate for child placement, be- ties Act of 1990 (ADA) protect mented policies and practices nation in the custody process, as cause they pose a significant parents and prospective par- to prevent discrimination in do parents with other physical risk to the health or safety of ents with disabilities from un- these matters. disabilities. Individuals with dis- the child that cannot be elimi- lawful discrimination in the ad- In a recent joint investiga- abilities seeking to become fos- nated by a reasonable modifi- ministration of child welfare tion of a state agency, OCR and ter or adoptive parents also en- cation. But each decision must programs, activities and ser- DOJ found that a mother with counter bias and barriers to be based on an individualized vices. a developmental disability was those processes. assessment. At the same time, child wel- subject to discrimination, be- One of many NCD reports For complete guidelines visit fare agencies and courts have cause the state did not provide found that a child welfare www.ada.gov/doj_hhs_ta/ the responsibility to protect her with supports and services agency removed a newborn for child_welfare_ta.html. children from abuse and following the removal of her NYPD Sued For Not Program Trains Vets to Help Vets Making Accommodations New York Southern District Williams’ suit claims disabil- Judge Valerie Caproni denied a ity discrimination, as well as

summary judgment motion by false arrest and assault and bat- PHOTO BY RISA HOAG New York City in Williams v tery. City of New York, which would The plaintiff testified that have ended the case, finding while in a holding cell she was factual issues of the reasonable- “pushed” or “shoved” “very ness for an officer to believe forcefully against the wall when there was a physical assault and [she] attempted to touch [a] Attending the recent graduation at the Rockland Independent Liv- that numerous people at the police officer’s hand” to get the ing Center (RILC) in New City, N.Y. which honored 12 Peer 2 Peer scene could have served as in- officer’s attention. Program for veterans are, left to right, George Hoehmann, execu- terpreters when no American Title II of the Americans with tive director of RILC, Ed Day, Rockland County Executive, Peer 2 Sign Language interpreter was Disabilities Act (ADA) prohib- Peer Graduate Meghan Flechsig, Sen. William Larkin (R-Dist. 39), provided. its any public entity from dis- Graduate Justin Santinelli and Jerry Donnellan, director of the The suit was brought against criminating against “qualified” Rockland Veterans Service Agency. the City after plaintiff Diana individuals with disabilities in The program’s second class of graduates included Meghan Williams, who is deaf, was ar- the provision or operation of Flechsig, Brian Johnston, Kaymie Johnston, John Leighton, Sean Magee, Mederneris Martinez Nunez, Dr. Frances Mascolo-Glosser, rested in September 2011 and public services, programs or Kenneth Mercer, Stephen Nadelhaft, Deidre Russell, Justin held overnight after a landlord activities. Santinelli, and Craig Wertheim. tenant dispute. She was not pro- Caproni said Williams suffi- The goal is to match veterans who have been through the train- vided with a sign interpreter to ciently raised factual issues on ing program with veterans who are returning from service to help help her understand why she deliberate indifference to the ease the transition to civilian life. was being held and when she need for additional police train- Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County of Rockland Vet- would be able to leave. ing regarding interactions with erans Service Agency Director Jerry Donnellan also were in She was allowed to leave the hearing-impaired individuals. attendance. The mission of RILC is to provide advocacy and lead- ership to develop an accessible and integrated community for next day and no charges were The case will now continue people with disabilities. filed. through the court process. NEW YORK ABLE NEWSPAPER-OCTOBER 2015 PAGE 4 F the glareandfingerprints. on atablet’ssurface,iteliminates NuShield TripleAfilmisinstalled eye-tracking function.When glossy surfacedisruptedproper to beused,becausetabletshavea tors withamattescreenfinishhad speech orhandmotion. who cannotcommunicatethrough communication mobilitytopeople technology, teameduptobring protector andglare-elimination NuShield, adeveloperofscreen eye-tracking software,and cord bywayofelectrodesstra- electrical currenttothespinal taneous stimulation,delivers Institutes ofHealth(NIH). funded inpartbytheNational cords, accordingtoanewstudy stimulation totheirspinal invasively deliverselectrical a newstrategythatnon- step-like movementsthanksto Stimulation Movement Allows Leg Patients inParalysis Visit ourweb siteat usat215-204-1128 Call ustoll-free1-800-447-1656orfax 1601 N. BroadStreet,USB305,Philadelphia,PA 19122-6099 Temple Universary Press Submit Orders To: Until recently,bulkyLCDmoni- LC Technologies,adeveloperof The strategy,calledtranscu- Social SciencesDept.atNewJersey Jersey Instituteof Technology, a was “More than ahistory,“More than disability rightsadvocateforfourdecades. and bringittolife.” -Frederick A. Fay, Ph.D., Chair, JusticeFor All, and Zames capturethesubstanceandspiritofdisabilityrightsmovement People withdisabilities!Comprehensiveandwell-written,Fleischer telethons ofpitytotechnology’s power; from‘cripples’‘invalids’ and to tion andrights;fromshelteredworkshopstoindependentliving; wrenching evolutionofattitudes:Fromisolationandcharitytoconfronta- disability rightsactivist Institute of Technology since1988. Frieda Zames,AssociateProfessor T Doris ZamesFleischerhasbeena of MathematicsEmeritusatNew D to voluntarilygenerate motor paralysiswereable ive menwithcomplete New Technology Makes Tablets Accessible More The StrugglefordisabilityrightsintheU.S. HE member oftheHumanitiesand ORIS D Z From CharitytoConfrontation ISABILITY AMES www.temple.edu/tempress The F for more LEISCHER

25 years. Disability RightsMovement $24.95 R than IGHTS abilities suchasLouGehrig’sdis- vides alifelineforpeoplewithdis- played onthescreen. bylookingatcellsdis- internet turn onatelevisionoraccessthe movement thatenablesthemto era thatfollowstheuser’seye nications systemthatusesacam- ware isaneye-operatedcommu- the world.TheEyegazeEdgesoft- to communicateandinteractwith powering peoplewithdisabilities weigh afewpounds,betterem- its softwareontablets,whichonly vironment isnotcomparableto gravity. Movementinthisen- freely withoutresistancefrom ing, allowingthemtomove braces thathungfromtheceil- their legsweresuspendedin movements occurredwhile nal cord. surgically implantedonthespi- electrical stimulationdevice procedure wasdonethroughan the lowerback.Previously, tegically placedontheskinof

The trackingtechnologypro- LC Technologiescannowload In thestudy,men’s AND F M RIEDA OVEMENT documentsthe Z AMES vately. from castingtheirballotspri- outs continuetopreventvoters even whenremoved,votinglay- tectural barrierspersistand planning andtraining.Archi- bination ofinadequatefunding, with federallawthroughacom- ments remainnon-compliant nology. reliable, accessiblevotingtech- planning andtrainingtoprovide not investedadequateresources, degree, statesandlocalitieshave ing systemsbecause,toalarge often deniedequalaccesstovot- sist. Voterswithdisabilitiesare made, widespreadproblemsper- Cycle.” abilities inthe2012Election “Experience ofVoterswithDis- their October2013reportonthe tional CouncilonDisabilityfor abilities werequeriedbytheNa- 2012 elections. reported votingintheNovember million peoplewithdisabilities vealed in2012thatonly15.6 and yetRutgersUniversityre- “independently andprivately” ties exercisetheirrighttovote to helpAmericanswithdisabili- America VoteActwasdesigned population. 56.7 millionor18.7percentofthe the agesof18and64,totaling now oneinfivepeoplebetween of Americanswithdisabilitiesis reau reportsthatthepopulation jury andstroke.Thesoftwareis muscular dystrophy,spinalcordin- rebral palsy,multiplesclerosis, ease, traumaticbraininjury,ce- tor oftheNationalInstitute said RodericPettigrew,direc- the needformoreresearch,” tence ofparalysisandsupport longer meanalife-longsen- that spinalcordinjurymayno provide continuedevidence nal cordinjury. range ofindividualswithspi- veloping atherapyforwide wards theeventualgoalofde- show significantprogressto- walking, howevertheresults Many stateandlocalgovern- Although progresshasbeen Nearly 900peoplewithdis- Passed in2002,theHelp The UnitedStatesCensusBu- “These encouragingresults NCD IssuesStatementon Voter Day Registration innovation.” cal researchwithtechnological ing advancesinbasicbiologi- power thatcomesfromcombin- wonderful exampleofthe from spinalstimulation.It’sa individuals whomightbenefit greatly expandthenumberof a majoradvance.Itcould out requiringsurgerywouldbe ing therapytopatientswith- potential toofferalife-chang- Bioengineering atNIH.“The Biomedical Imagingand are digitizedandanalyzed. duces high-resolutionimagesthat serves eyemovementandpro- based onavideocamerathatob- hollow formillionsofAmeri- sured principledoesnotring a democracy.Sothatthistrea- stone ofcivicparticipationin vote isaninvaluablecorner- sphere.” welcome inthepolitical people withdisabilitiesarenot sibly sendingthemessagethat voting moredifficultandpos- a majorrole“bothbymaking accessible pollingplacesplay implemented. passed havenotyetbeen nored orthatlawsalready casting avotehavebeenig- physical andotherbarriersto disabilities simplybecause the onlyoptionforpeoplewith neither shouldtheybecome not bediscouragedoutright, these votingoptionsshould though theavailabilityof their vehiclewithaballot.Al- meet peoplewithdisabilitiesat ing wherepollworkersactually voting bymailorcurbsidevot- emphasizing absenteevoting, sidestep votingaccessibilityby vealed. disabilities…,” thereportre- titudes towardsvoterswith demonstrate (d)pejorativeat- “condescending orrudeor… haps mostshockingly,were of peoplewithdisabilitiesper- equipment andthelegalrights often unfamiliarwithboththe and electionworkerswhoare The constitutionalrightto Researchers suspectthatin- Furthermore, manystates Broken votingmachines Continued onpage 11 PAGE 5 OCTOBER 2015-NEW YORK ABLE NEWSPAPER

UNITED SPINAL NOW

PWDs vs. Uber vs. Taxis

BY JAMES WEISMAN, CEO

e just celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Ameri- cans with Disabilities Act W(ADA) – the law that was supposed to insure non-discriminatory behav- ior by government and businesses as they interface with people with disabilities. America read the headlines of December 2011 that stated that the Gov. Andrew Cuomo had gotten Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the New York legislature to agree to add 2,000 new yellow cabs to the existing fleet of over 13,000. Two thou- sand new taxi medallions would sell for approximately $ 1 mil- lion each and would all have to be placed on wheelchair acces- sible taxis. The same legislation that created the new accessible medal- lions also created the Boro Taxi street hail program. Twenty percent of the Boro Taxis (the green ones) had to be wheelchair accessible. Then America read that despite defending the dis- ability community’s lawsuit against New York City to make taxis accessible and despite 11 years, 11 months of opposing taxi access, in his last month in office Mayor Bloomberg agreed to settle the lawsuit by insuring that 50 percent of yellow cabs would be accessible by 2020. The disability community in New York City, however, is deal- ing with the harsh reality that Uber (and other Transportation Network Companies [TNC]) may have undermined both acces- sibility initiatives. A year ago taxi medallions were selling for about a million dollars at auction. The sale of the new medallions was expected to raise $2 billion for the City. To date, only 400 of the 2,000 medallions have been sold and there are no plans to sell the remaining 1,600. The word is that the Boro Taxi permits are not selling either even though they are only $1,500. More than 30,000 vehicles are now affiliated with Uber. They are clearly the “Taxi of Tomorrow.” Millennials love Uber and the other dispatch apps, but Uber does not love wheelchair and scooter users. Not a single Uber affiliated vehicle is wheelchair accessible. The last medallions sold, several months ago, went for just over $600,000, a 35 to 40 percent drop in value. That is why there are no plans to sell more medallions. About $1,600,000,000 in revenue the City expected will be lost as well 1,600 brand new accessible yellow cabs. Even worse – Uber is offering drivers incentives to leave yel- low cabs and drive Ubers. Yellow cab owners cannot get all of their vehicles into service because they cannot get enough driv- ers. In order to get their cabs on the street yellow cab owners allow drivers to select which cab they want to drive. The drivers pick the hybrids, not the accessible cabs, so the accessible cabs are not going into service. Last July, at approxi- mately the same time as the ADA 25th anniversary, Mayor Bill de Blasio decided to cap Uber growth because of Midtown Man- hattan congestion. Gov. Cuomo and City Council Speaker Mel- issa Mark-Viverito opposed the idea. Instead, the City is engaging in a congestion study as Uber Continued on page 15 NEW YORK ABLE NEWSPAPER-OCTOBER 2015 PAGE 6 ing facilityandtrainersforon- bal supplychainoperations. vice presidentofStarbucksglo- Deverl Maserang,executive the communitiesweserve,”said portunity forourpartnersand ted tocreatingpathwaysop- and distribution. manufacturing, warehousing meaningful workexperiencein dividuals withdisabilitiesgain training programthathelpsin- Pa. and distributioncenterinYork, Academy atitsroastingplant the firstStarbucksInclusion announced thecompletionof the CrispusAttucksAssociation tion onDisability(NOD)and (OVR), theNationalOrganiza- Vocational Rehabilitation S abilities decreasedfrom30.7per- ticipation rateofpeoplewithdis- ties, theincreasewasless. year. Forpeoplewithoutdisabili- ties isup2.3percentfromlast working-age peoplewithdisabili- tember, theemploymentratiofor released inSep- tics’ JobsReport the previousseveralmonths.” smaller thismonthcomparedto tude ofthesegainshoweveris Foundation. “Therelativemagni- and disabilityresearchatKessler O’Neill, directorofemployment without disabilities,”said John improvements madebypeople working continuestooutpace portion ofpeoplewithdisabilities Disability. New Hampshire’s Institute on and theUniversity of Foundation (NTIDE), Employment in Disability to thepublicationNationalTrends age lookingforwork,according aslightlullinthepercent- showed workforce, although,August ment gainsastheyenterthe ties continuetomakeemploy- month, Americanswithdisabili- Starbucks providesthetrain- “Starbucks isdeeplycommit- The academyisasix-week However, thelaborforcepar- Bureau ofLaborStatis- In the “The improvementinthepro- For theeleventhconsecutive EMPLOYMENT • State of Employment Improves DuringPastState Year Slightly of tarbucks, thePennsylva- and Industry’sOfficeof nia DepartmentofLabor Starbucks ExpandsJob Training Program issued by Kessler top strategiespeopleareusingfor place. Thesurveyfoundthatthe ment andpreparingforthework- working, activelyseekingemploy- work, includingthosewhoare with disabilitiesarestrivingto more than68percentofpeople may havefoundwork.” those whowerelookingforwork and stoplooking,someof People maybecomediscouraged this isapositiveornegativesign. always difficulttoknowwhether It is disabilities lookingforwork. tion inthenumberofpeoplewith ticipation rateisduetoareduc- ratio, thefallinlaborforcepar- the employment-to-population institute. “Given theincreasein research directoratthe ate professorofeconomicsand Andrew Houtenville,associ- said declined, albeitslightly,” tion ofpeoplewithdisabilities months, thelaborforceparticipa- work. is workingoractivelylookingfor percentage ofthepopulationthat labor forceparticipationrateisthe ties italsodecreasedslightly.The For peoplewithoutdisabili- year. cent to30.4percentsincelast views andlocaljobplacement. receive assistancewithjobinter- four to10students.Theyalso Each classtypicallyconsistsof plant anddistributioncenter. an internshipattheroasting weeks, thecandidatescomplete weeks. During thefinaltwo each dayforthefirstfour tion andthreehoursofwork three hoursofclassroominstruc- program, whothenparticipatein for theacademy. ing agenciestofindcandidates tify themostappropriatesourc- Starbucks iden- ties, NODhelps aging individualswithdisabili- Starbucks supervisorsonman- structors. Aftertraining vide softskillstrainingtoin- County partneragency,topro- York, aUnitedWayofYork Crispus AttucksAssociationof York. Itisalsoworkingwiththe plant anddistributioncenterin the-job practiceatitsroasting According toKessler’ssurvey, “In contrasttothepreviousten OVR refers candidates tothe human servicesagencyinNew other 12weeksasaninternata weeks ofclasstrainingandan- man services. Itconsistsof20 reer asapeerproviderinhu- dition theopportunityforaca- perienced amentalhealthcon- that offerspeoplewhohaveex- gin inJanuary. training programthatwillbe- ing applicationsfortheirpeer Center inManhattanisaccept- Rose, presidentofKesslerFoun- prosperity,” said Rodger De- to startacareerandachieve part oftheAmericandreamis tacting employersdirectly.“Abig friends andrelatives,con- with opportunitiesthrough online resources,connecting jobs aresuccessfullyusing abilities whoaresearchingfor out disabilities,peoplewithdis- and furtheringtheireducation. ment, gettinghelpfromfriends medical andrehabilitativetreat- preparing forworkareobtaining with 12peoplesecuringfulltime have completedtheprogram, ing program.Todate,21people bilitation toexecutethetrain- ployment, TrainingandReha- the state’sDepartmentofEm- company iscollaboratingwith ing plantinNevada,wherethe launched ayearagoatitsroast- Academy programformally they needtofindjobs. far toolong,withthetraining connected fromtheeconomyfor ticularly thosewhohavebeendis- Pennsylvania’s unemployed,par- to cometogetherconnect for thepublicandprivatesector of Labor&Industry.“It’stime at thePennsylvaniaDepartment tary forworkforcedevelopment said DianeBosak,deputysecre- ers readywiththerightskills,” a significantshortageofwork- nia, includingYorkCounty,but jobs availableacrossPennsylva- Internships andPlacementServices Internships It isanintensiveprogram Howie theHarpAdvocacy Like theircounterpartswith- The StarbucksInclusion “We havetensofthousands Peer Training Program IncludesPeer Training Program paying taxes.” make purchasesinadditionto have moredisposableincometo since peoplewithdisabilitieswill should alsoseeeconomicgains to societyandtheworkplace,we with disabilitiesoffertheirtalents for morehours.Aspeople Once employed,theyarelooking ers andseekingemployment. succeeding inovercomingbarri- Americans withdisabilitiesare This surveyshowshoweverthat in thepursuitoftheirdreams. disabilities havefacedbarriers dation. “Toooften,peoplewith ability employmentinitiatives.” tion tohelplauncheffectivedis- ing its30-yearrecordofinnova- clusion Academy,NODistak- initiatives liketheStarbucksIn- “By collaboratingonstrategic Carol Glazer,presidentofNOD. able tocorporateAmerica,”said tapped pipelineoftalentavail- companies torecognizetheun- form ofdisability,weneedmore Americans livingwithsome centers acrossthenation. turing plantsanddistribution nities totherestofitsmanufac- bring similartrainingopportu- continuing toevaluateways adopt theprogram.Starbucksis York isitssecondfacilityto in thecommunity.Theplant turing orwarehousingfacilities ing forjobswithothermanufac- are in theprocessofinterview- plant inNevada. employment attheStarbucks 2118. Cehonski, 212865-0775,ext. Apply byOct.30. high schooldiplomaorGED. chiatric diagnosisandhavea York Cityresident,haveapsy- other jobsearchskills. sume writing,interviewingand fairs, aswellcoachingonre- tance includesattendingjob employment placementassis- York City.Afterwards,their “With morethan56million The remaining participants For informationcallJames Applicants mustbeaNew PAGE 7 OCTOBER 2015-NEW YORK ABLE NEWSPAPER EMPLOYMENT • EMPLOYMENT • EMPLOYMENT Employment Outcomes Vary Based on Disability he proportion of working- age people with disabilities who are in the labor force Tfell from 25 percent in 2001 to 16 percent in 2014, according to a new brief from the American In- stitutes for Research (AIR). This shows that among those able to work who are either em- ployed or actively looking for jobs, the data for people with dis- abilities has remained stagnant or declined despite “the array of federal policies, executive or- ders and incentive programs intended to increase the em- ployment and employability of people with disabilities,” it stated in the study. The paper is very detailed, breaking down workforce par- ticipation state by state accord- ing to disability type.“One ma- jor issue we have identified is emerged.”The paper, “One Size more than one-third of those without disabilities, the study that federal policy tends to treat Does Not Fit All: A New Look at who haven’t sought work or found. people with disabilities as a ho- the Labor Force Participation of stopped trying to find it. Since Using 2013 data from the U.S. mogeneous group,” said People with Disabilities,” offers the Great Recession, employ- Census Bureau’s annual Michelle Yin, a senior re- a look at the roughly 19 percent ment numbers for this demo- American Community Survey, searcher at AIR and lead author of Americans with disabilities, graphic have not bounced back the brief found that Alaska, Min- of the study. “But they are not. a population that has fre- at the same rate as for people Continued on page 14 Once we disaggregated the data quently withdrawn from the by state and specific type of dis- workforce. During recent de- ability, a different picture cades, they have comprised Report Ranks States on Employment RespectAbility USA, a new people with disabilities to get disability advocacy nonprofit jobs and develop careers,” said from Maryland, recently re- Jennifer Sheehy, acting assis- leased a report showing that the tant secretary of the Office of employment rate of people with Disability Employment Policy disabilities varies widely depend- (ODEP). “Given that literally ing on which state they live. billions of dollars in federal tax The states consistently having dollars will follow those new the lowest workforce participa- plans, governors and those such tion rates for the disabled are as ODEP that are working with West Virginia, Mississippi, Ken- states to improve disability em- tucky, Alabama, Arizona, Maine ployment, can build on these past and Vermont. However, states successes to create a workforce with the highest employment system that serves everyone workforce are North Dakota, well, including employers and Wyoming, South Dakota, people with disabilities.” Alaska, Minnesota, Nebraska, “Sixty-eight percent of Ameri- Iowa, Utah, Colorado and New cans with disabilities are striv- Hampshire. The aim of the re- ing to work, as indicated by ac- port for states with poorer tively looking for work, taking rankings to model the best prac- steps to prepare for work or tices of the states with the high- seeking more hours,” said est rankings. Rodger DeRose, president of the “It is also very important to Kessler Foundation, which fo- look at this data as it predates cuses on employment for people the Workforce Innovation and with disabilities. “This is a very Opportunity Act, which now re- positive sign. It is important for quires governors in each state states to encourage their citizens to create a plan that will enable with disabilities to work. NEW YORK ABLE NEWSPAPER-OCTOBER 2015 PAGE 8 Call forreservationsanddetailsabout accessibility Quality ControlMgr. Ann Imbrogno. nist JimWeisman, King, UnitedSpinal Association CEO and long-time Also onfield,left toright,areDeputyMOPDCommissionerKleo Yankee Stadium as Yankee ManagerJoeGirardi,center, lookson. paper Publisher Angela Melledy(thirdfromleft) athomeplate abilities (MOPD)Victor Calise,left, presents awardto committment tosupportingNew Yorkers withdisabilities. gela Melledy, Publisherof Awareness Nightat Yankee Stadium. (MOPD) andtheNew York Yankees recentlycelebratedDisability The New York CityMayors’ OfficeforPeoplewithdisabilities MOPD & Yankees Honor Able Newspaper A Partially Commissioner of the NYC Mayor’s OfficeforPeoplewithDis- Commissioner oftheNYCMayor’s The CommissionerofMOPDandthe Yankees presented An- Edgemere Inn Accessible B&B in Southampton Accessible B&B Able’s 631 283-0334 ProductionDir. DebSimkoand Able Newspaper withanawardforher gorgeous sunsets

with bucolic Peconic Bay

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Able’s PHOTO BY NEW YORK YANKEES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED RIGHTS ALL YANKEES. YORK NEW BY PHOTO Court Rules Health-Care Subsidies Allowed PAGE 9 OCTOBER 2015-NEW YORK ABLE NEWSPAPER he U.S. Supreme Court denied coverage due to a pre- federal exchange. Cerebral Palsy (UCP). “For recently upheld a key existing condition or were The ability to take advan- those who need to purchase pillar of the Affordable priced out of the insurance tage of credits and subsidies health care coverage through TCare Act (ACA), which allows market. A large number of offered through the federal ex- the federal exchange, including subsidies to participants in fed- people with disabilities are not change is critical to ensuring many caregivers who have erally-established health care in the labor force and lack ac- that the exchanges can con- given up employer-sponsored exchanges. cess to employer-sponsored in- tinue to provide affordable benefits in order to care for The Supreme Court’s opin- surance. health insurance. their loved ones with disabili- ion in King v. Burwell decided In addition, in many states “The court’s opinion is a big ties, affordable health care is the question of whether the with large populations of people win for people with disabilities a must. ACA precludes the Internal with disabilities, the states re- and their families and No family should go broke be- Revenue Service (IRS) from fused to set up exchanges, lead- caregivers,” said Stephen cause they or their loved one extending subsidies to partici- ing to the establishment of the Bennett, president of United has a medical need.” pants in states that have not set up their own health insur- Advocates Protest at Uber Taxi Headquarters ance exchanges. Advocates including the refusal to operate even a single chair-accessible. Accessible taxis The Fourth Circuit had pre- United Spinal Assoc., the Taxis For accessible vehicle is jeopardizing typically have a ramp that allows viously held that the text of the All Campaign and others recently the taxi option for wheelchair and wheelchair and power chair us- ACA, stating that subsidies held a demonstration outside scooter users,” said James ers to roll into and out of the ve- were available to exchanges Uber’s headquarters in Manhat- Weisman, president of United Spi- hicle. established by the State, tan. nal Assoc. “ According to advocates, the six- should be interpreted to make Uber provides independent Protestors urged Mayor Bill year-old company has consis- subsidies available to partici- taxi service by individuals using de Blasio, the city council and tently rejected direct appeals to pants in federally-established their own vehicles. The advocates the Taxi and Limousine Com- offer accessible service here or in exchanges as well. The Su- is calling on the company to start mission (TLC) to enforce rules other cities. preme Court affirmed the serving wheelchair users, people and pass new legislation that Fourth Circuit’s ruling. who are blind and others with dis- would require Uber and other Support Our People with disabilities are abilities in New York City and app-based taxi services to serve especially impacted by the de- across the country. people with disabilities. Advertisers cision. “Uber’s zeal to replace the soon TLC records reports 20,777 They Make This Prior to the ACA, many to be 50 percent accessible yellow Uber vehicles are on city streets, Newspaper Possible people with disabilities were cab industry, coupled with their but none of the vehicles is wheel-

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9LHZIXOODJHQGDRQOLQHDQGUHJLVWHUDWZZZ6W0DU\V.LGVRUJVXPPLW NEW YORK ABLE NEWSPAPER-OCTOBER 2015 PAGE 10 Live call in (213) Live callin(213) Facebook- internet internet Watch usontelevision,bychecking ourwebsite Email ONE OFOURPRIMARY GOALSIS TO ENABLEPEOPLE On ManhattanNeighborhoodNetwork we canbeseenonthe Verizon FIOSChannel35 TO CONTROL THEIR OWNLIVESBY GETTING THE NJS ELECTRICLL NJS ELECTRICLL NJS ELECTRICLL NJS ELECTRICLL NJS ELECTRICLL NJS ELECTRICLL NJS ELECTRICLL NJS ELECTRICLL NJS ELECTRICLL NJS ELECTRICLL NJS ELECTRICLL NJS ELECTRICLL NJS ELECTRICLL NJS ELECTRICLL NJS ELECTRICLL INNERSIGHT meansFREEDOM Advocates fortheDisabled NJS ELECTRICLL NJS ELECTRICLL NJS ELECTRICLL NJS ELECTRICLL NJS ELECTRICLL Nassau andSuffolk LicensedElectricalContractors - www.mnn.org [email protected] www.blogtalkradio.com/innersightinfo New YorkContractors Licensed Alarm State Call www.facebook.com/#!Frank.Perino.INNERSIGHT GOVERNMENT’S MONEYSENT TO US We keeplovedonesin” Twitter -https://twitter.com/innersightinfo V systems forthesafetyof MNN broadcaststo 7 nightsaweek 9p.m.to10eastern (631) 224-3090or478-3590 INNERSIGHT, INC,Islip,NY11751 isit ourwebsite

Keep intrudersout- (631) 224-3090 816-1650 Hear usonBlogtalkradio home monitoring www.njswiringsolutions.com ** Specializingin for LongIslandCablevision. INSTEAD OF AGENCIES the disabled** “We don’tjust www.innersight.info/ RCN Channel84 516 596-1895 onthe Also on WRB. weekends featuringautisticprogramming. Contact us www.innersight.info to find ourlocallisting tofind Spirit Channel,(Channel3) TWC Channel57 Wednesday nightsat11p.m. (notattachmentsplease) and , C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C C . to stopit. ety whodon’tknowme.I’lldiewithit...but I’lldiefighting overcome thatstigma,rejection by membersofsoci- ceived longsinceforlackofwallspace. twenty yearsandstoppedhangingup theawardsI’vere- I workedinNewJersey’sSeniorExecutive Serviceforover matter thatIhelpeddrafttheADA;it doesn’tmatterthat doctor wasdisciplined. complaint withtheheadofcardiologygroupand ing roomwasalmostempty.WhenIgothome,fileda the resultsofstresstestwerefine.Bythen,wait- and-a-half hourslater,thedoctorcameoutandtoldme doing andreadthestresstest.” ment area.“Ifyou’rewillingtowait,we’llstopwhatwe’re whisked meoutofearshot,behindthedoorstotreat- twenty peoplewaiting.Theywereallears. just beentreated.Myvoicecarriedandtherewereabout I begantocomplainthereceptionistabouthowhad room. BythetimeIgotthere,couldn’tcontainmyrage. I asked. don’t evenhavealltheresults,Ithought.“What’sitfor?” scrawling somethingonherlittlebluepad. anything’s wrong.”Thenshesaid,“Here’saprescription,” was negative.” test results,whichshehadn’treadbefore.TheMUGAscan and myanxietymounted. thing awaysoIhadtowaitanotherweekforthedoctor administered thetestsbutthey’retrainednottogiveany- tried toreadthereactionsoftechnicianswhenthey wait thatlongsoItalkedtheclerkintomakingittwo. read metheresultsinthreeweeks.Iwasscared.couldn’t “What doesthatmean?”Iasked. had toldmeanything.ShesaidI‘extraheartbeats. test. Iaskedifanythingwaswrongsinceneitherofthem started orderingmoretests,aMUGAScanandstress peared, returningwiththedoctorinchargeoftesting.She lines. Helooksatthem,nodsandsendsmehome. that printsoutsomesquiggly cian hooksmeuptoamachine pacemaker I ADVOCATE BY ETHANELLIS THE I haveadisabilityandnothingI’veaccomplished can It doesn’tmatterthatIhaveaMaster’sdegree;it “Okay,” Isaidandwentbacktothewaiting-room.Two- She disappearedandthedoctorappearedinaflash I gotmadderandonmywaytothewaiting- “It willmakeyourheartworkbetter.Goodbye.” A prescription?butyoujustsaidiwasokayand “Oh, wehaven’treadthoseresultsyet.I’llcallyouif “What aboutthestresstest?”Iasked. “I havegoodnews,”shesaidashastilyscannedthe “It couldbefatal,”shesaid,makinganappointmentto Not thistime.Hetoreoffthetestresultsanddisap- cardiology grouptohavemy ery threemonthsIgotothe t startedasaroutinevisit.Ev- CONTRARIAN checked. Thetechni- It NeverEnds PAGE 11 OCTOBER 2015-NEW YORK ABLE NEWSPAPER

INFORMATIONFORUM

LTCCC TO HONOR TWO PIST ADVOCATES FOR SUBMISSIONS WANTED DIRECTORS AT RECEPTION SCHOOL BUS SAFETY FOR U.N. FILM FESTIVAL The Long Term Care Community Coa- Parents to Improve School Transporta- The UN Enable Film Festival is accept- lition (LTCCC) will honor Center for In- tion (PIST) advocates to make sure that ing submissions for disability themed short dependence of the Disabled New York Ex- school bus regulations in New York City are films. ecutive Director Susan Dooha and Inde- enforced. Those selected will be screened at U.N. pendent Consumer Advocacy Network Di- This includes issues such as student pick- Headquarters in New York City during the rector David Silva at their seventh an- ups and arrivals that are on time, adher- festival. The deadline is Nov. 20. nual cocktail party and reception held at ence to rules of the child’s IEP, responsibili- For details and submission guidelines visit the Alzheimer’s Association in New York ties of bus matrons, routes that aren’t too www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp? id=1562. City on Oct. 20, at 6 p.m. lengthy and many other regulations. Both are being recognized for their com- Parents and caregivers who would like DRA ASKS FOR PUBLIC INPUT mitment to helping seniors and people to report a complaint can email ON ACCESSIBILITY PROBLEMS with disabilities. [email protected] or the Office of Pupil Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) is in- To purchase tickets or to be an event Transportation, 718 392-8855. vestigating problems encountered by stu- sponsor call Sara Rosenberg, 212 385- dents and family members who use mobil- 0355. EMPLOYMENT WEBINARS ity aids or have other disabilities that cause OFFERED TO SS RECIPIENTS barriers to participate fully in New York City CONSULTANT PROVIDES Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) schools. WORKSHOPS AND TRAININGS free online webinars teach Social Security They are also looking into lack of sidewalk Special needs expert Gary Shulman gives disability beneficiaries about the Ticket to accessibility, including missing or danger- trainings and lectures to schools, social ser- Work program and available work incen- ously steep pedestrian ramps, broken curbs vice agencies and parent groups in the five tives. or street surfaces, and sidewalks that are boroughs. The webinars are hosted on the fourth impassible for various reasons. His latest workshop, “stares, glares and Wednesday of each month, and missed They are asking for the public to report hurtful words,” teaches people strategies on webinars can be viewed through the either of these issues to Rebecca Rodgers, how to deal with ridicule and bullying. website’s archives. The site also has four [email protected]. To book a session call 646 596-5642. tutorials, each covering different aspects of the Ticket to Work program and employ- LEGAL ADVOCATES WANT TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR ment. FEEDBACK ON COURT ACCESS SHOW ON MENTAL ILLNESS For information call www.choose workttw. New York Lawyers for the Public Inter- “This Is My Brave - The Show” features net/webinars-tutorials. est (NYLPI) would like individuals to con- 14 performers who live with mental illness tact them if they have experienced a lack of or love someone with the condition. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF accessibility at courthouses in regard to en- Each individual will relay their true story PWDS TO BE HELD DEC. 3 trances, bathrooms, offices, courtrooms, seat- through comedy, poetry, personal essays The International Day of Persons with ing, jury boxes and witness boxes. and music. It will be held at Kaye Playhouse Disabilities (IDPD), commemorated since To report a complaint contact Maureen at Hunter College, N.Y., Oct. 4, at 4 p.m. 1992, is held on Dec. 3. Belluscio, [email protected]. For ticket information visit www.this This year’s theme, “inclusion matters: ismybrave.org. access and empowerment for people of all PUPLIC INPUT ABOUT abilities,” seeks to reduce inequalities and TARGET STORES REQUESTED WRITTEN AND ORAL TESTIMONY remove barriers. There will be various The Equal Rights Center has identified sig- SOUGHT FOR TBI HEARING events at UN headquarters that will address nificant accessibility barriers at Target and The New York state Assembly Commit- this theme. are seeking feedback from the public regard- tee on Health, Mental Health, and Develop- Anyone who is planning an IDPD activ- ing their experiences in the stores. mental Disability, and the Task Force on ity or event can have it showcased on the Contact Kat Taylor, ktaylor@equalrightsc People with Disabilities will be holding a U.N. website. Send ideas [email protected]. enter.org. joint hearing in Albany on Oct. 8, on trau- matic brain injury (TBI) treatments and VOTER REGISTRATION services. Continued from page 4 They are oral and written testimony from cans with disabilities – a group that native language, should have an equal patients, families, clinicians, service and anyone can join at any instant – it is opportunity to participate in the politi- health insurance providers, and state agen- imperative that all levels of govern- cal process. cies. ment recommit to ensuring our shared With issues including health care, so- Oral testimony is by invitation only and moral and legislative goals of full par- cial security and even assisted suicide limited to 10 minutes. ticipation. dominating the news and, at times, the For information call Mischa Sogut, 518 On Sept. 22, National Voter Regis- ballot box, NCD suggests we’d be wise to 455-4941. tration Day, NCD reasserted its collec- remember, and act on, the words of Jus- tive belief that every American, includ- tin Dart, “Vote as if your life depended ABLE ACCEPTS EVENT ing people with disabilities, as well as on it…because it does.” AND PROGRAM INFORMATION seniors, people living in poverty, people To read NCD’s 2013 report on voting Able Newspaper will print event and pro- from diverse racial and ethnic groups access visit www.ncd.gov/publications/ gram information from agencies when space and those for whom English is not their 2013/10242013. permits. Send items to [email protected]. NEW YORK ABLE NEWSPAPER-OCTOBER 2015 PAGE 12 NEW JERSEYNEWS page andcalendar. New Jerseyforthismonthly ries andinformationabout Send Us New Jersey News Send UsNewJersey Discount* www.WheelchairMedic.com the worldofstand-up comedy. that peoplewithdisabilitiesarenodifferentthanothers. stand-up routinesservetoentertainaswellsendamessage at lifethroughtheircomedytroupeNoComicLeftBehind.Their Michael Aronin, Tim Grill,MikeMurray andShannonDeVito laugh Despite havingvariousdisabilities,comedians,lefttoright, the placetogo for allofyour other mobilitydevices. Our expert technicians have We areworkingatbuilding Able of wheelchairs, and scooters over ofexperience 25years repairs andnew purchasesrepairs Sit DownorStand Up–It’s Still Funny making Wheelchair Medic Medic making Wheelchair The troupe’s creators Aronin andGrillhaveformedanichein (718) 352-1623 10% 10% Newspaperinvitessto- *New salesandparts. formation call Paramus Rd.,Paramus.Forin- College, TechBuilding,400 Center, BergenCommunity Family MeetingandTraining tudes 10a.m.attheMoses inclusion andchangingatti- demonstrate acommitmentto fast Salute toChampionsBreak- serve call gusa NJPAFounder/Dir.Tore- to 4p.m.SpeakerAndreaSira- Clifton PublicLibrary,Rm.B,1 (Basic Rights)Seminar, Autism &SpecialEducation om. information to [email protected] ing. benefit fromorfindinterest- people withdisabilitieswill and anyinformationthat items, events,sportsreports abilities. coverage forpeoplewithdis- to includeNewJerseyinits year ofpublishingandwants online readers. pages aboutNewJerseyforour the readershipandadding CALENDAR Please submitarticlesand Stories mayincludenews Able honoring individualswho Newspaperisinits25th OCTOBER 23 OCTOBER 17 973 460-7510. 201 336-7381 Post-Stroke andDisabled Also Nov. 1. information call Grand Ave.,Hackettstown.For the LacklandCenter,715 Centenary StageCompanyat sionist BradRosspresentedby Unbelievable! 0900. For informationcall by CentenaryStageCompany. Play ChipandGus: APingPong ing. voice or works featuredin Arts Unboundpresention Six Over65, Untitled MixedMediapiecebyFlorenceWintwillbeoneofthe ing receptionOct.17from2to5p.m. TheexhibitwillrunfromOct.17throughNov. 21withanopen- Ballard. Also featuredwithbeTheBird,MixedMediaCollagebyIda (Maplewood, N.J.). tan, N.Y.), RogerRicco(Woodstock, N.Y.), andFlorenceWint tan, N.Y.), HelenLevin(Staten Island,N.Y.), RuthMarten(Manhat- clude IdaBallard(EastOrange,N.J.),DouglasFlorian(Manhat- the conventionalretirementageof65.Thefeaturedartistsin- bition ofsixcontemporaryartistswithflourishingcareersbeyond ONGOING EVENTS Fringe Theater Through Nov. 1. OCTOBER 31 OCTOBER 29 711 deaf/hardofhear- OF EVENTS–NEWJERSEY featuring illu- 908 979-0900. Six OverSixtyFive

presented 908 979- 6504. For informationcall Englewood. pendent Living,228GrandAve., at SoutheastCenterforInde- Fridays Maywood. ter, 145WestMagnoliaAve., p.m. atMaywoodSeniorCen- Thursdays Maple Ave.,Ridgewood. ence Room,4thfloor,131North Village Hall,TownHallConfer- Tuesdays Division ofDisabilityServices Department ofHumanServices, sponsored byBergenCounty Adults SupportGroups 9:30 a.m.to1:00p.m. 10 a.m.to12p.m.at 9:30a.m.to12:30

201 336- an exhi- PAGE 13 OCTOBER 2015-NEW YORK ABLE NEWSPAPER

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

OCTOBER 3 Lupus Support Group NSLIJ 10:30 a.m. in the Noyes Confer- York City Family Connect Cen- Subway Sleuths After-School Forest Hills Hospital, 102-01 66th ence Center at Helen Hayes Hos- ters throughout the five boroughs. Program 10 week program pre- Rd., Forest Hills, Main Conference pital, Route 9W N. West For information call 718 436-7979 sented by the New York Transit Room. For information visit Haverstraw. For information call ext.704. Museum for 4th-5th graders Sat- www.LALIQ.org. 845 786-4321. urdays 10 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. and OCTOBER 17 Housing and Benefits Clinics, 2nd-3rd graders Thursday. For 5.07 Plan Public Hearing Seeing Through Drawing ac- Mondays and Tuesdays 10 a.m. to information call Meredith Martin hosted by OMH and OASAS 2 to cessible class for adults 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Writers Work- 718 694-1823. 4 p.m. at OMH New York City 1 p.m. at the Met, 1000 Fifth Ave. shop every Thursday, 4 to 6 p.m. OCTOBER 4 Field Office, 330 Fifth Ave., Man- & 79th St., Manhattan. For infor- at CIDNY 841 Broadway #301 ASL Tour (no Voice) 2 p.m. at hattan, and at South Beach Psy- mation call 212 650-2010. 13-14 Sts. For information call Rubin Museum of Art, 150 W. chiatric Center, 777 Seaview Ave., OCTOBER 18 Eva Eason 646 442-4156. 17th St., Manhattan. For informa- Staten Island. For information Disabled in Action Meeting, tion email [email protected] visit www.omh.ny.gov. 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Selis Manor, 1st Lupus Alliance of Long Is- OCTOBER 5 OCTOBER 8 floor auditorium, 135 West 23rd land/Queens Support Group Stroke Brain Injury Survivor We Are Victors Celebration Street between 6th and 7th Ave. meets once a month on Tues- Support Group 12:15 p.m. at presented by Barrier Free Living For information call 718 261- days 7:30 to 9 p.m. in Flushing. SUNY College of Optometry. 33 and Voices of Women Organizing 3737. For information call 516 802- W. 42nd St. For information call Project 11 a.m. at Barrier Free OCTOBER 19 3142. 212 938-4040. Living, 270 East 2nd St., 4th Strategies to Build Indepen- Floor, Manhattan. For informa- dence for Students with Au- BCID hosts support groups SORT Support Group for tion call 212 677-6668 ext. 330. tism, ADHD and other Learn- for people with disabilities: Clutterers/Hoarders 6 to 8 p.m. ing Differences in NYC 9 a.m. TBI Support Group 12:30 to 2 at EIS, 80 Maiden Lane, 11th Public Hearing on Brain In- to 3:30p.m. at Transitions, 2736 p.m. first and third Tuesdays; floor. For information call 212 jury Services held in Albany by State Highway 30, New York. For Work Readiness Group run 308-2210. the New York State Assembly information call 631 434-6196. by the BACE Program of Health Committee, Mental OCTOBER 22 Goodwill Industries for people Commission on the Public’s Health & Developmental Disabil- MHANYS Awards Dinner and with chronic mental illness Health System 6:30 p.m. at Ur- ity Committee and Task Force on Conference at the Albany Wednesday mornings; Deaf ban Justice Center, 123 Williams People with Disabilities. For infor- Marriott. For information visit Computer Class 1 to 4 p.m. ev- St., 16th floor. For information call mation call Mischa Sogut 518 455- MHANYS.org. Through Oct. ery Wednesday; Peer Support Anthony Feliciano 212 246-0803. 4941. 23. Group 1 to 3 p.m. Thursdays“; OCTOBER 11 OCTOBER 25 Support and Advocacy VISIONS Senior Speak Out 3 Disabled Queers 1 to 3 p.m. at Gallery Tour with ASL Inter- Group for People who are p.m. at Selis Manor, 135 W. 23rd the LBGT Community Center, pretation 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Blind or Visually Impaired St. For information call Elizabeth 208 West 13 St., Manhattan. For MoMA, 11 W. 53rd St., Manhat- and their Friends Friday Lee 646 486-4444. Also Oct. 12, information call 718 389-8180. tan. For information call 212 408- mornings at BCID, 27 Smith St., 19 & 26. OCTOBER 13 6347. Brooklyn. For information call 718 OCTOBER 6 Verbal Description/Touch OCTOBER 26 998-3000. Art for Everyone 10 a.m. to 1 Tours for people who are blind or CP of NYS Conference: Our p.m. at ICS, 400 Fordham Rd., partially sighted 2 to 3 p.m. at the Excellent Adventure-Staying Double Trouble Support 10th floor, Bronx. For information Rubin Museum of Art, 150 W. True to Mission at Every Group 6 p.m. Mondays; Finan- call Latricia James 718 907-1622. 17th St. For information call 212 Turn Saratoga Hilton Hotel, cial Coaching 12 to 4 p.m. Also Oct. 13, 20 & 27. 620-5000 ext. 345. Saratoga Springs. For informa- Thursdays; Knit 2 Unwind tion call 518 436-0178. Through Knitters Group for Family Regional Health Coverage & Adult Support Group 6:45 Oct. 28. Members 6 to 7:30 p.m. 3rd Enrollment Summit 10 a.m. to p.m. at NY Branch IDA, 71 W. Thursdays; Spouses and Part- 1 p.m. at Staten Island Mental 23rd St. #1527. For information CDPAANYS Conference: ners Support Group 1:30 to 3 Health Society, Safir Aud., 669 call 212 691-1930. Building the Foundation p.m. 4th Fridays; Movie Club, Castleton Ave., Staten Island. For OCTOBER 14 for Success at the Hilton Gar- 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. first Saturdays information call Nicole Memory Arts Café for people den Inn, Troy. For information at NAMI, 505 Eighth Ave., 35th O’Loughlin 917 543-3200. with Alzheimer’s, caregivers & visit http://cdpaanys.org/an- St., #1103. For information call public 6 p.m. at NY Memory Cen- nual-conference/ Through 212 684-3365. Tuesday Art Sampler 11:30 ter, 199 14th St., 4th Ave., Brook- Oct. 27. a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at ICS, 25 Elm lyn For information call 718 499- OCTOBER 27 To have your event or meet- Pl., 5th floor, Brooklyn. For in- 7701. Parkinson’s Support Group ing listed, send information formation call Latricia James for Family Members 2 p.m. in to Able News, P.O. Box 395, 718 907-1622. Also Oct. 13, 20 The Largest Minority Radio the Noyes Conference Center at Old Bethpage, N.Y., 11804. & 27. Show 9 to 10 p.m. presenting Helen Hayes Hospital, Route 9W The deadline for calendar news and views of people living N. West Haverstraw. For informa- items is the 10th day of the TBI Support Group 12:30 to 2 with disabilities on WBAI 99.5 tion call 845 786-4321. month preceding the date of p.m. at BCID, 27 Smith St., #200, FM. Also Oct. 28. ONGOING EVENTS publication. Calendar items Brooklyn. For information call 718 OCTOBER 16 Free Workshops and Services will be accepted only if they 998-3000. Also Oct. 20. Parkinson’s Support Group at United Cerebral Palsy of New have a specific date. NEW YORK ABLE NEWSPAPER-OCTOBER 2015 PAGE 14 tana hasarelativelylowoverall care difficulties.Similarly,Mon- with visionorhearingandself- ranked atthebottomforpeople people withcognitivedifficulties, a highparticipationratefor The DistrictofColumbia,despite wide variancesamonggroups. ability types.Manystateshave participation ratesacrossalldis- Tennessee havelowlaborforce ginia, Arkansas,Kentuckyand all disabilitytypes.WestVir- labor forceparticipationacross nesota andWyominghavehigh Continued frompage 7 EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES VARY coffee and donuts. 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Thesedifferencesre- cent and21percent,respec- 6,*1$785( 3+21( dating, YHUWLVHPHQWVZKLFKLWGHHPVLQDSSURSULDWH7KLVVHUYLFHLVLQWH A379 conver- ORSH UHVSRQGHQWVPXVWEH\HDUVRIDJHRUROGHU1RDGV LQJ RQ style. man whodrivesandenjoyseasierlife 62-year-old widow,lookingforgentle- your phonenumber. long termrelationship,pleaseinclude SWM 63,Seeksniceladyforserious number. have acomputer,sosendyourphone and eventuallymaybetomeet.Idonot SWM, 65,seeksSWFforaphonefriend baseball. dinners, nascarracesandLIDucks comedy clubs,movies,murdermystery folk orNassaucounty.Ienjoyfishing, phy seeksSWF30-48fordatinginSuf- SWM, 49,withspinalmuscularatro- together. ing mosteverything.Let’senjoylife going, outgoingpersonandIlovedo- spend therestofmylifewith.I’measy SWF, lookingforthatspecialguyto  able atwww.air.org. disabilities. erage thantheirpeerswithout earned 37percentlessonav- that peoplewithdisabilities second inaseries. differences.”This briefisthe does notreflectthose said. “Butcurrentlegislation ferent typesofdisabilities,”Yin pation amongpeoplewithdif- wide differenceinlaborpartici- study showsthatthereisa The completestudyisavail- A 2014AIRbriefshowed 3‡3URIHVVLRQDO6‡6LQJOH:‡:KLWH A373 A377 XFKOLDELOLW\UHVWVH[FOXVLYHO\ZLWKWKH A375 A376 A374 QGHG PAGE 15 OCTOBER 2015-NEW YORK ABLE NEWSPAPER

UNITED SPINAL NOW Continued from page 5 grows exponentially and con- from advocates wanting strat- tinues to remain inaccessible. egy advice, model legislation, We proposed a cap on Uber settlement agreements and ve- growth unless new vehicles are hicle information. accessible. Our proposal went These advocates are shocked nowhere. when we tell them about the While the de Blasio admin- “Uber effect.” They then tell istration has assured us that us that they too are struggling they are on our side our hard with Uber about access. Uber fought victories that brought states that the ADA does not about taxi access must be re- apply to it, however, in a Cali- fought to make the real Taxis fornia case the Justice Depart- of Tomorrow, app dispatched ment has sent a Statement of vehicles, accessible. Interest to the Court saying The disability community in the ADA applies to Uber. cities all over the United States Gov. Cuomo, Mayor de were inspired by our victory in Blasio, NYC Council – we need NYC. We get calls every day your help. THE ACCESS INDEX

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OCTOBER 4 OCTOBER 1 OCT OCT OCT OCT OCT everySundayatnoon everySunday OBER 3 OBER 3 OBER 3 OBER 3 OBER 3 everyThursday Rodolfo.Guev cbacon@g nichole ev- SCENE Sporton, tional TennisCenter.CallMike ence CUNY ParalympicExperi- 632-7344. a.m. ContactChrisNoel, Stadium inIslandParkat10 track andfieldopenatIcahn Paralympic SportClub [email protected]. Recreation Center.Contact day at6p.m.,SunsetPark Power Soccer 3319. Call RodolfoGuevara, p.m., atMcCarrenPlayCenter. practice everyTuesdayat7:30 Paralympic SitVolleyball Bacon, reation Center.ContactChris noon atGertrudeEderleRec- at ing famedParalympianand other femalenominees,includ- slow herdown.Shebeatoutfour has notletthesecircumstances ance andvision.ButMeyers that causesgraduallossofbal- syndrome, ageneticdisorder was alsodiagnosedwithUsher Maryland, wasborndeaf.She family here,”shesaid. my friendsbackhomeand and supportfrommyteammates, incredible tohavethatkindoflove honor presentedbyESPN.“Itfeels with aDisability,fan-voted ESPY AwardforBestFemale Becca Meyersrecentlywonan America’s Paralympicathletes.” Charlotte fortheirsupportof great event,andthepeopleof for itscommitmenttohostinga vance ofRio. success forTeamUSAinad- performances andincredible Twenty-year-old Meyers,of Two-time Paralympicmedalist “We thankPartnersforParks forstudentsatUSTANa- [email protected]. OCTOBER 24 OCTOBER 13 OCTOBER 7 OCTOBER 6 718 997-4107. Deaf Swimmer Nabs ESPYAward SwimmerNabs Deaf OF SPORTS everyWednes- 212 360- youth 646 ing oureffortstoimpactthelives Foundation isonceagainsupport- ored andexcitedthattheAnthem yoga andmarathonprograms. goalball, rowing,running,judo, in thisyear’schallengeinclude steps taken.Someoftheactivities ries burnedandthenumberof sure manykindsofactivities,calo- provides auniversalwaytomea- participant withaFitbit,which ship. USABAwillprovideeach ronments andencourageleader- pants setgoals,createteamenvi- social mediatohelpthepartici- grate theuseoftechnologyand Prevention (CDC). Centers forDiseaseControland recommendedbythe pant tothat cal activitylevelsofeachpartici- this programistoraisethephysi- live moreactivelives.Thegoalof impaired adultswithopportunities more than500blindandvisually throughout thecountrytoprovide will partnerwith12agencies tive year. challenge forthefourthconsecu- implement theirnationalfitness of BlindAthletes(USABA)will tion, theUnitedStatesAssociation grant fromtheAnthemFounda- land breakingrecordsattheInter- award inperson.ShewasScot- she wasnotabletoaccepther However, ing asilverandbronze. Paralympic Gamesin2012,earn- ming Championships. at thePanPacificPara-Swim- medals, fourgoldandtwosilver, two worldrecordsandearnedsix McFadden. In2014,Meyersset world championTatyana three daysofcompetition,the ber ofTeamUSA.Following Paralympic Gamesasamem- to advancetheRio2016 athletes competingforachance tory, itwillhostmorethan400 Paralympic trialsinU.S.his- USABA Provides FitnessChallenge “We areextremelypleased,hon- This year’sprogramwillinte- During thenextyear,USABA With thehelpofa$213,120 She medaledtwiceatthe Set tobethelargest 2016 GamesinRio. looks forwardtocompetinginthe 400 freestyle.Meyerssaidshe 200 individualmedleyandthe 5.03 seconds. S13 classwithatimeof1minute, 19-year-old worldrecordforthe meter butterfly,Meyersbrokethe In thewomen’s100- pion-ships. (IPC) SwimmingWorldCham- national ParalympicCommittee [email protected]. dock tokayak. including howtotransferfrom to meetdifferentindividualsneeds tips onhowtoadapttheactivity pros andconsoftheractivity interested inhearingaboutthe to emailher.Sheisparticularly kayaking inthefutureareasked fore orhaveaninterestin opportunities. to explorethepotentialforfuture planning akayakclinicinorder Burke RehabilitationHospitalis tor oftherapeuticrecreationat more than165countries. with physicaldisabilitiesfrom approximately 4,500athletes the games,whichwillinclude sports willbeannouncedfor U.S. teamrostersforallthree ebration, duringwhichthe event willculminatewithacel- cal andfinancialsupport. ticipants whoexcel,andtechni- nutrition coaches,prizesforpar- ticipant withaFitbit,fitnessand cent grantwillprovideeachpar- physical fitnessroutine.There- not participateinevenalimited impaired intheUnitedStatesdo those whoareblindandvisually their abilities,morethanhalfof riers andmisconceptionsabout executive directorofUSABA. ally impaired,”saidMarkLucas, of peoplewhoareblindandvisu- She alsosetworldrecordsinthe Oudheusden maybeemailedat Those whohavekayakedbe- Alexandra Oudheusden,direc- Because ofthenumerousbar- Kayak Input Needed