VOLUME 25 NUMBER 7 JANUARY 2020 U.N. COMMEMORATES ININ THISTHIS ISSUEISSUE BONSU Honored SUNY New Paltz Honors Events Mark Day of Disabled Persons ICS V.P. for Philanthropy PAGE 2 Rent Freeze Program Expansion Eases Fears of Hikes PAGE 2 Medicaid Matters Advocates Concerned About Budget Crisis PAGE 3 Cuomo Vetos Three Bills Medicaid Renewal and Tax Credits Quashed PAGE 3 The Sports Panel presentings at the International Development at the Department of Economic and Jonathan’s Law Day of Disabled Persons are, left to right, are Car- Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat; DiNapoli Audit Shows lo Riva of L’abilità for Inter Campus; Youngeun Victor Calise, commissioner of the New York City Lee, disability advocate; Adam Fraser of New Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities; Annika OPWDD Inefficiencies York, global chief executive of Laureus Sport for Bryson Emmert, self-advocate; Mrudula Peddinti of PAGE 4 Good; Lindsay Krasnoff, member of the US Steer- Florida, Limbitless Solutions; Francesco Magisano ing Committee at Football for Peace; an unnamed of New York, Achilles International of New York; Library & NYC Sued representative for the Division for Inclusive Social Caroline Gibson of New York, Microsoft. New Construction Not Accessible This year, IDPD focused on the closer to achieving the central he United Nations (U.N.) PAGE 7 recently recognized In- empowerment of people who are promise of the 2030 Agenda – to Tternational Day of Dis- disabled for inclusive, equitable leave no one behind,” said Anto- abled Persons (IDDP) with and sustainable development as nio Guterres, U.N. secretary gen- several events at U.N. head- anticipated in the 2030 Agenda eral. quarters in New York City. for Sustainable Development and The one-day event was or- The annual observance of Dec. its 17 goals. The goals are relat- ganized by the Department of 3, was proclaimed in 1992 by a ed to education, growth, employ- Economic and Social Affairs. U.N. General Assembly resolu- ment, inequality, accessibility of The opening program consisted tion to promote the rights and human settlements, data collec- of statements by global leaders VISIT well-being of people with disabil- tion and monitoring of the goals. who discussed ongoing efforts ABLE’S ities in all aspects of society. It is “When we secure the rights of and their vision for continued WEBSITE celebrated throughout the world. people with disabilities, we move Continued on page 16 WWW.ABLENEWS.COM ICS VP Honored by SUNY New Paltz ABLE NEWSPAPER py and service at the college. ficer at Safe Space NYC and di- P.O. Box 395, Old Bethpage, NY 11804 516 939-2253 FAX 516 939-0540 “I was surprised and hum- rector of administration at the [email protected] bled by it,” he said. “It is truly American Red Cross in Greater www.ablenews.com an honor.” New York City. He was joined by family and Currently, he is a board friends to receive the honor member and treasurer for the at his alma mater, where he Dream Builders Foundation, a earned a Bachelor of arts de- nonprofit that promotes edu- gree in political science and fi- cation and youth development. nance. He later earned a mas- As an alumnus of SUNY New ter’s degree in business admin- Paltz, he often speaks at their istration at the University of campus events, mentors stu- Phoenix. dents, and joined the school’s Published By “I love the mission of our or- fundraising campaign team to Melmont Printing ganization,” said Bonsu, who raise money for student schol- Harry Bonsu has served on the ICS leader- arships. Publisher Angela Miele Melledy ndependence Care System ship team, since 2008. Bonsu, who was born in Gha- NEW YORK ABLE NEWSPAPER - JANUARY 2020 PAGE 2 2020 PAGE - JANUARY ABLE NEWSPAPER YORK NEW (ICS) Senior Vice President Bonsu has 25 years of expe- na, migrated to Brooklyn at age Editorial Assistant Iof Administration and Mem- rience as an administrator in five and was raised in Crown Allison Howe ber Services Harry Bonsu re- the fields of health care, human Heights and East Flatbush. cently received the Heritage services and small business. He He now resides in Middletown, Staff Writers Award from SUNY New Paltz previously served as chief fi- N.Y., with his wife and chil- Beth Guarino (emerita) in recognition of his philanthro- nancial and administrative of- dren. Columnists Disabled in Action Rent Freeze Programs Expand Edith Prentiss More New York City tenants rent-stabilized leases, involve our city who paid preferential Anthony Trocchia can now benefit from rent freeze landlords charging a preferen- rents lived in fear of not being United Spinal Association programs for seniors and people tial amount under the rent-sta- able to afford their apartments Jim Weisman with disabilities due to a recent bilized maximum. once their lease was up for re- Production Director change in the law that allows Previously, landlords were newal, but at the same time they Debbie Simko renters to keep preferential allowed to raise preferential couldn’t qualify for the city’s rents for as long as they remain amounts to the legal limit when rent freeze programs until their Art & Production in their apartment, according to a tenant’s lease was up for re- rent was increased to a level Jennifer Becker Assemblymember Steven Cym- newal. Now, preferential rents they couldn’t afford,” said Cym- Ann Imbrogno browitz (D-Dist. 45), chair of the are locked in for the length browitz. “This Catch-22 made it Marilyn Wheeler Assembly Housing Committee of tenancy. Under the former essential to lock in preferential Technical Assistance and prime sponsor of the prefer- system, tenants paying pref- rents for the length of tenancy Louis Melledy ential rent legislation. erential rents were forced to as part of the Housing Stability This legislation was first in- wait until their rent reached and Tenant Protection Act.” Social Media Assistance troduced by Cymbrowitz when the legal level to benefit from SCRIE and DRIE, admin- Sofie Melledy he became housing chair and the Senior Citizen Rent In- istered by the New York City was one component of the Hous- crease Exemption (SCRIE) Department of Finance, helps Office Manager ing Stability and Tenant Protec- and Disabled Rent Increase eligible senior citizens who are Fannie Miele (emerita) tion Act passed by the Legisla- Exemption (DRIE) programs. 62 and older and tenants with ture in June. Preferential rents, “So many senior and disabled qualifying disabilities who are Accounting which affect nearly a third of tenants in my district and across 18 and older stay in affordable Margaret Wenzel housing by freezing their rent. Advertising Rates Eligibility also requires a Furnished Upon Request household income of less than $50,000. Under this program, a property tax credit covers the dif- ference between the actual rent Postmaster: Send address changes to Able News at P.O. Box 395, Old Bethpage, N.Y. 11804. Period- amount and what a tenant is re- icals are being paid for at Bethpage, N.Y. post of- sponsible for paying at the frozen fice. ©1994 ABLE NEWSPAPER. Able Newspaper is published monthly by Melmont Printing, 6 Robert rate. There are 74,666 house- Court, Bethpage, N.Y. 11714. Able welcomes man- uscripts and suggestions for articles. 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Will Be Jan. 14 PAGE 3 JANUARY 2020 - NEW YORK ABLE NEWSPAPER YORK 2020 - NEW 3 JANUARY PAGE Advocacy Group Concerned About Budget Crisis edicaid Matters New lic health insurance coverage will meet its financial con- The coalition has identified York is the statewide and promoting health-care ac- straints while preserving what issues they feel are of partic- Mcoalition representing cess. They claim that few states has distinguished its Medic- ular importance, such as pro- the interests of the more than cover more people or provide aid program from all others,” tecting enrollees from loss of 6 and a half million people who as wide an array of community Medicaid Matters said in a coverage or services and ensur- are served by New York’s Med- and home-based services. statement. “Medicaid Matters ing access to meaningful care icaid program, in addition to The coalition asserts that urges state policymakers to coordination. They are also the community-based organi- overall the state has made sig- maintain its unwavering com- calling for rightsizing Medicaid zations and safety-net provid- nificant progress toward en- mitment to the Medicaid pro- reimbursement for facilities so ers that serve them. couraging person-centered care gram and thoughtfully address safety-net providers are com- The intent of the Medicaid and reducing costs through the budget crisis by preserving pensated for the services they program is to provide cover- Medicaid redesign. its strengths. New York must provide. age to people with low-income Medicad Matters New York show the nation that in times In addition, they want all and/or disabilities.