The Disabilities Network of New York City

New York deserves the participation of all its citizens.

Yet, everyday, one millionNew Yorkers are denied the opportunityto take part in the life of this great city.

Why? Because they have a physical, visual or hearing disability.

  • Nearly 90% of subway stations have no elevators.Fewer than 2% of taxis areaccessible.
  • The average one bedroom apartment rents for54% MORE than the average Supplemental Security Income payment.
  • Disabled people areTWICE as likely to be unemployed and poor compared to nondisabled people.
  • Residents of NYC’s poorest neighborhoods are MORE THAN 10% more likely to have a disability than the average American.

The goal of the Disabilities Network of New York City is to eliminate these barriers to full participation in life. We are the first coalition of New Yorkers with physical, visual & hearing disabilities.

SHAPE POLICY

We advocate for inclusive and equitable housing, transportation, employment, and more.

BUILD COMMUNITY

We share resources and rally action on critical issues through Community Forums, an active Network Listserv and as host of WBAI’sThe Largest Minority Radio Show.

EXPAND OPPORTUNITY

We make civic, economic and social participation possible, working with employers to open job opportunities and with public agencies to promote access to benefits.

Bridge the gap between potential and opportunity.

Join the Disabilities Network of New York City today.

● 212.284.4160

Who We Are The Disabilities Network of New York City is a diverse group of individuals and organizations from all boroughs. Members work in social services, advocacy, law, academia and the arts. What do we have in common? The belief that New Yorkers with physical, visual and hearing disabilities should enjoy both the benefits and burdens of civic involvement.

Public/Private Partners
CWA Local 1180

DowntownCommunityTelevisionCenter

Escape Rescue Systems

HireDisability

Lois Kaggen (In Memory of Hal & David Burns)

JFK, Jr. Instititute for Worker Education at CUNY
McCaffery & Associates

M. of A. Adele Cohen, A.D. 46, KingsCounty

Sen. Thomas K. Duane, S.D. 29, NY County

Non-Profit Service Providers
Achilles Track Club
American Council of the Blind, Greater NY Chapter

The Associated Blind
Barrier Free Living

Big Brothers, Big Sisters of New York City
Bronx Independent Living Services

Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled

Builders for Family & Youth, Diocese of Brooklyn
Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY

c2 (Caption Coalition) Inc.

Community Access, Inc.
Easter Seals

Eastern Wheelchair Basketball Conference

Federation Employment & Guidance Service

FEDCAP

Hands On
Harlem Independent Living Center
Hospital Audiences, Inc.
IndependenceCareSystem
InternationalCenter for the Disabled

Just One Break

Korean American Association for Rehabilitation

of the Disabled
League for the Hard of Hearing
Lexington Vocational & Mental HealthCenter
Lighthouse International

Lower East SideTenementMuseum

National Multiple Sclerosis Society, NYC Chapter
New Alternatives for Children

New York Lawyers for the Public Interest

New York Society for the Deaf
New YorkState Independent Living Council

Partners for Access, LLC

Premier HealthCare (YAI)
QueensCollege, Office of Special Services

QueensIndependentLivingCenter

Staten IslandCenter for Independent Living
VISIONS Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired

United Cerebral Palsy of New York City

United Spinal Association

Workforce Professionals Training Institute

YWCAAngelaPerezCenter for Youth with Disabilities

Consumer Advocacy Groups
504 Democratic Club
Disabled in Action of Metropolitan New York
Self-Advocacy Association of New YorkState

Taxis For All Campaign

And over hundreds of individuals citywide.

Board of Directors
Paul Feuerstein, Barrier Free Living (Chair)
Mariette Bates, Maidstone Foundation (Vice Chair)

Sharon Shapiro, Yad HaChazakah (Secretary)

Leslie Winter, Economic Development Consortium (Treasurer)
Nancy D. Miller, VISIONS Services for the Blind (Founding Chair)

Christina Curry, HarlemIndependentLivingCenter

Dennis R. Boyd, Esq., NY Lawyers for the Public Interest

Anne M. Davis, Esq., National MS Society, NYC Chapter

Michele J. Maglione

Edward McGibbon, Hearing Loss Association of America
Chris O’Donoghue, My9 WWOR-TV News

Eric Samuelson, JP Morgan Chase

Executive Director Alberta L. Orr

We are supported by our members and:

United Way of New York City

Fund for the City of New York

New York Foundation

American Express Foundation

Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
Manhattan Delegation to the City Council

Office of Senator David A. Paterson

Office of Council Member Rosie Mendez
Office of Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer

Taproot Foundation ● New York Community Trust
North Fork Foundation ● Allene Reuss Memorial Trust

Groundspring ● Inner Circle ● Manhattan Neighborhood Network ● New YorkState Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities