VOLUME 26 NUMBER 3 SEPTEMBER 2020 FIFTY YEARS OF DIA ININ THISTHIS ISSUEISSUE ADAPT’s New Chapter New York Advocacy Civil Rights Force Continues the Fight Group Expands PAGE 3 Global Alliance Organizations Collaborate To Provide Resources PAGE 4 Power Out Storm Brings Particular Problems PAGE 5 Bronx MTA Compliance Projects On Track PAGE 7 Social Distancing Guidance For Visually Impaired PAGE 9 The Disabled In Action Singers (DIA) held a re- cert included Amy Emerman, Anne Emerman, union concert that was announced as their final Audrey Schading, Charlie Gourgey, Danny Por- performance in 2010, after more than 30 years of ro, Karen Luxton Gourgey, Kathy Lockwood, Sports singing songs of human rights for all, from the Marcia Bernstein, Marilyn Saviola, Mary Ann Blind Sports Week, point of view of people with disabilities. “We’re Marra, Maura Gregory, Mel Tanzman, Michael Im- USABA & Diving all getting older and it has become hard to get periale, Sally Campbell, Sidney Emerman, Reid PAGE 16 together for rehearsals and performances,” said Devlin and Sue Reynolds, with Barry Kornhaus- member Anne Emerman. er on cello, Robin Burdulis and Warren Shaw on DIA Singers who performed at that last con- percussion and Nancy DeLuca on harmonica. By Karin Falcone Krieger group of volunteer, disabili- ty years later, the civil rights n 1970, a 22-year-old Ju- ty activists committed to civil organization remains commit- dith Heumann gathered rights and systems change. ted to ending discrimination I80 friends and supporters Well before the Americans against people with disabili- at the campus of Long Island with Disabilities Act (ADA) ties and continues its mission VISIT University, Brooklyn for what was passed in 1990, DIA of advocacy and partnerships. ABLE’S would be the first meeting of pushed New York City to put In 1970, Heumann, who WEBSITE Disabled In Action (DIA), a accessibility into practice. Fif- Continued on page 11 WWW.ABLENEWS.COM ABLE NEWSPAPER From The Commissioner’s Desk P.O. Box 395, Old Bethpage, NY 11804 516 939-2253 FAX 516 939-0540 When I was first injured in hind because there is often no di- [email protected] 1994, the first magazine about al-in option. More needs to be done www.ablenews.com people with disabilities that I to close the digital divide, get con- came across was Sports & Spokes. nected devices into the hands of After reading an article about sled those who need them, and ensure hockey, I eventually fell in love that all digital platforms are ac- with the sport and competed in the cessible to people with disabilities. 1998 Paralympic Games in Naga- The Mayor’s Office for People Published By no, Japan as a member of the first with Disabilities (MOPD) is work- Melmont Printing U.S. national sled hockey team. ing across New York City agencies The second disability publica- to ensure that disability is included Publisher tion I read at the time was this in these discussions, so that people Angela Miele Melledy paper, which introduced me to the with disabilities get the resources world of disability advocacy and they need during COVID-19 and Editorial Assistant Allison Howe shaped the ways I do my job today. beyond. I hope to see a municipal Pat Horwell Able News and Sports and WiFi network that will enable ev- Spokes have gone digital, but are eryone to get and stay connected. Staff Writers still producing print versions for Please continue to stay safe Karen Falcone Krieger NEW YORK ABLE NEWSPAPER - SEPTEMBER 2020 PAGE 2 - SEPTEMBER 2020 PAGE ABLE NEWSPAPER YORK NEW those who request and subscribe. and maintain your social distance Beth Guarino (emerita) Since the onset of the COVID-19 during this time. For the latest pandemic, we have been meeting guidance from the NYC Depart- Columnists virtually for work, school and en- ment of Health and Mental Hy- means that we get the funding and Disabled in Action Phil Beder tertainment. As we move forward giene, visit nyc.gov/coronavirus or representation that we deserve. At Edith Prentiss in this increasingly digital age, text “COVID” to 692-692. this time, only 56 percent of New Anthony Trocchia it is important to remember that If you are a New Yorker with Yorkers have filled out the census. United Spinal Association not everyone has the same level a disability who needs resources, As we work to ensure equal access Jim Weisman of access or awareness to these re- visit MOPD’s website at nyc.gov/ and representation for our com- sources. disability or the COVID-19 disabil- munity, it’s important that we are Production Director For the 78 percent of Amer- ity page at nyc.gov/disability-corona- all counted. Debbie Simko icans with disabilities who are virus. You can also call our office If you have not already, please currently unemployed and many at 212 788-2830 (Voice Phone) fill out the Census. The Census is Art & Production who are living below the poverty or 646 396-5830 (ASL Video easy, safe and completely confi- Jennifer Becker Ann Imbrogno line, digital devices with Internet Phone). dential. You will not be asked any Marilyn Wheeler connection are difficult to obtain. As MOPD works hard to pro- questions about income, immigra- Segments of the disability commu- vide equal access to everything tion status, social security or crim- Technical Assistance nity, especially seniors, find it dif- NYC has to offer, we need your inal history. Visit My2020census. Louis Melledy ficult to embrace technology, even help. The deadline for the 2020 gov or call 844 330 - 2020 if they have access to devices, and Census has been shortened to Ciao, Social Media Assistance qualified teachers are few and far Wednesday, Sept. 30. The Census Commissioner Victor Calise Sofie Melledy between. helps our nation get an accurate Virtual meetings have left cer- count of our population. Office Manager tain people with disabilities be- In NYC, an accurate count Fannie Miele (emerita) Accounting Still Time to Respond to Census Margaret Wenzel Advertising Rates Have you responded to The Census is Accessible What You Can Do Furnished Upon Request the 2020 Census yet? Every The online form is Section Complete the 2020 Cen- Postmaster: Send address changes to Able News 10 years, the United States 508 compliant and is acces- sus today. at P.O. Box 395, Old Bethpage, N.Y. 11804. Period- icals are being paid for at Bethpage, N.Y. post office. holds a census, as mandat- sible to people using adap- It’s not too late; the dead- ©1994 ABLE NEWSPAPER. Able Newspaper is pub- ed by the Constitution. The tive technology, including line is Sept. 30. lished monthly by Melmont Printing, 6 Robert Court, Bethpage, N.Y. 11714. Able welcomes manuscripts point of the census is to screen readers. Spread the Word and suggestions for articles. However, to assure safe return, manuscripts must be accompanied by a count every person living in The census has guides Help share these import- self-addressed stamped envelope. No responsibility the country. available in 59 non-English ant resources and make sure is assured for unsolicited manuscripts or art. Submis- sions are the author’s warranty that the material is not Why is the census import- languages, as well as Braille every person with a disabil- an infringement of the rights of others and that the material may be published without further approval. ant? The census is import- and large print. There is ity responds to the census. Editorial material does not necessarily reflect the view of the editor/publisher of Able Newspaper. Advertisers ant because it determines a video guide available in For more information, are responsible for the content of advertisements. No how many representatives American Sign Language. visit the 2020 Census web- part of this publication may be reprinted without the permission of the publisher. Able is not responsible each state gets in Congress; One can respond by mail, site, www.2020census.gov, for errors in advertisements beyond the price of the space occupied by the error. The publisher reserves how more than $800 billion online or by phone in 12 dif- Why the Census Matters for the right to decline advertising for any reason. in funding gets allocated to ferent languages. People with Disabilities – a critical programs like Med- One can also respond in guide to the 2020 Census icaid, food assistance, rent- English by TDD at 844 467- operations and challenges The Deadline for al subsidies, education and 2020. from the National Disabili- The Oct. Issue of more; and how the boundar- The ARC has created a guide ty Rights Network at www. ies of legislative, school and to the census in plain language censuscounts.org or www. Able Newspaper voting precincts are drawn. in both English and Spanish. thearc.org/census/. Will Be Sept. 15. PAGE 3 SEPTEMBER 2020 - NEW YORK ABLE NEWSPAPER YORK 3 SEPTEMBER 2020 - NEW PAGE ADAPT Forms New York Downstate Chapter ong Island ADAPT re- archical, grassroots commu- Medicaid/CDPA” group is on J1 Visas, and their “Nurs- cently announced its nity that organizes disabil- currently advocating against ing Home Diversion and Lofficial merge with ity rights activists at every budget cuts and eligibility Transition” group that com- the New York City chapter level of advocacy. They part- criteria changes for home bats institutionalization. and expansion to form the ner with local centers for in- care services, while their Monthly meetings are the new Downstate New York dependent living, disability “Voter Engagement” group last Thursday of every month chapter of ADAPT (DNY rights groups and other so- works toward combating from 4:15 p.m.