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October 01, 2005
Nearly $70 Million Awarded to Help Children and Adolescents Who Have Experienced Traumatic Events
Charles Curie, Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today announced almost $70 million in grant awards to provide help to children and adolescents who have experienced traumatic events. These grants will fund a network of community-based treatment and services centers that are supported by national expertise.
October 03, 2005
New York bans online hunting
It is now illegal to kill game through online hunting sites, or to create a click-and-shoot site in New York....
Several sites are on the Internet that provide remote target shooting, often appealing to disabled computer users who might have difficulty shooting weapons or getting to a shooting range. These sites are included in the law because of the potential danger at the shooting site where weapons are controlled by computer users miles away, Constantakes said.
October 04, 2005
Federal Auditors Again Question City Schools' Medicaid Spending; Refund Is Sought
The New York City school system inappropriately billed Medicaid for nearly $200 million in transportation payments over an eight-year period, filing claims for tens of thousands of rides without proof that they were necessary or actually provided, according to a federal audit.
October 06, 2005
City Strengthens Human Rights Law
Craig Gurian, executive director of the Anti-Discrimination Center of Metro New York, who was instrumental in the drafting of this bill and the 1991 reforms, said this measure "gets our Human Rights Law out from under the shadow of its federal and state counterparts.” He said that many areas of the law that have been restrictive will now have to be reexamined by judges, including "the doctrine that throws a woman out of court whenever a judge decides she hasn't been harassed enough." The city Human Rights Law may also help some persons with disabilities seeking to rent or buy an apartment, Gurian said. Some federal courts have resisted letting disabled persons use cosigners to guarantee their rent or mortgage. The new act, according to Gurian, will fill that gap.
October 08, 2005
Disabled students given new chance for college
The College of New Jersey and Mercer County Community College were selected by the National Down Syndrome Society to use Steve and Laura Riggio's grant to create programs giving disabled students the chance at education after high school.
It's clearly not a traditional role for postsecondary education.
But the idea of developing lives beyond loading bags at a cash register or stuffing envelopes has gained momentum - largely through grass-roots demand, partly through backing from the U.S. Department of Education, said Madeleine Will, director of New York-based NDSS.
Assemblyman Aims To Solve Seniors’ Transportation Problem
A local lawmaker is pushing a bill to give Queens senior citizens better access to Nassau County doctors.
Assemblyman Mark Weprin is co-sponsoring a bill that would require the MTA to allow its Access-A-Ride service to transport senior citizens five miles into Nassau County. That would be far enough to reach clusters of doctors patronized by thousands of Queens seniors, he said.
October 10, 2005
Report: Wide disparity exists in teaching disabled kids
A state Education Department report shows students with disabilities are more prevalent in traditional public schools than in charter schools, which are publicly funded schools operated by private enterprises.
Report of Disabled Boy's Abduction Was Hoax, L.I. Police Say
When a distraught woman told the police in the Long Island village of Floral Park yesterday that two armed men had driven off with her disabled 7-year-old son, it seemed to be an emergency tailor-made for an Amber Alert, which notifies the police, media outlets and motorists that a child has been abducted.
October 15, 2005
Downhill from here: Brooklyn amputee, victim of a 1992 shooting, striving to make the Paralympic alpine ski team
The bullet "definitely changed my life," he said, yet in ways that are no more logical than the shooting itself. At 28, Green not only remains an athlete, but a world-class athlete at that, in the unlikely endeavor of disabled alpine skiing, and is the first black man on that sport's national team. From a dark, rainy, violent night in Bedford-Stuyvesant, he has come to a Rocky Mountain High: He lives in Vail, trains nearby, loves snow and wants to settle for good in the mountains.
Ski officials expect he will compete on the U.S. team at the Paralympic Games in Turin, Italy, in March.
For Trade Center Builders, the Future Starts With a Very Old Number
What makes that height so important is that it determines the relationship of the plaza, which must be tabletop flat, to everything around it: the Freedom Tower, the PATH terminal and the surrounding streets and sidewalks. But setting the dimension is not easy on a site that slopes down more than 20 feet as it approaches the Hudson River.
The plaza itself needs to be as close to the sidewalk as possible, no more than three and a half feet higher or lower, so that it can be seen and approached easily by all visitors--including the disabled--from all directions, without walls or long flights of stairs.
"The appearance of the memorial as well as the accessibility of the memorial were paramount," said John P. Cahill, chief of staff to Gov. George E. Pataki and the top downtown redevelopment official.
October 18, 2005
At Clinic, Hurdles to Clear Before Medicaid Care
New York runs the nation's most extravagant Medicaid program, paying $44.5 billion per year to care for 4.2 million people--roughly double, per patient, what the rest of the country spends--and state officials boast that it makes a higher percentage of people eligible, and for more services, than almost every other state. But if the program is huge and in many ways generous, those who work with it--doctors, patients, government officials, health care experts--say that the way the dollars are spent makes little sense.
October 20, 2005
Where, at Last, Ripeness Is Really All
The convention affords the opportunity to hear how performers who really work at it can grow and deepen over time. Those who have followed the careers of Ms. Akers and Wesla Whitfield, in particular, could see on Monday how each has gained in confidence as a stage performer and in depth as an interpreter. Ms. Whitfield, who is disabled, has chosen in recent years to appear in a wheelchair rather than be carried onto the stage. The security and freedom this gives her to gesture and emote has transformed her from a somewhat inhibited performer into a fierce, thrilling one.
All the other Valerys: Almost 400 children await adoption in New York City
She fared better than the 350 children available for adoption in the city and 45 on the Island, many of whom are older, disabled kids who've been in foster care since infancy. Some of their stories will be on display in Huntington next month in a photo exhibit that's part of a national program to encourage adoptions, the Heart Gallery. As for Valery, the outpouring of support reminds us of the many potential adoptive homes. Yes, she's an adorable child of heart-breaking circumstances. But she isn't the only one.
Good News on Affordable Housing?
For society's most vulnerable, such as the elderly, the poor or disabled, New York's housing crunch has been a nightmare and that's why this speech by Mayor Bloomberg was so important, a plan to build or rehab thousands of new homes.
October 23, 2005
Report: NYC evacuation plan up to date
Jarod Bernstein, a spokesman for the Office of Emergency Management, told the New York Post the plan anticipates the possibility of problems with evacuating the disabled and others with special-needs. Bernstein said officials would evacuate special-needs residents 72 hours before a weather-related emergency strikes.
October 24, 2005
In need, they'll feel the HEET
...Zelvin and other advocates for disabled riders said the subway's increasing reliability on High Entrance/Exit Turnstiles, or HEETS, is putting lives in danger. Also known as high-wheels, the turnstiles are impossible to crawl under or scramble over. They were designed to keep the transit agency from losing even a single fare as it permanently shuts down station booths throughout the city.
Coastal Storms and Hurricanes: New York City Hurricane Evacuation Zones
New York City's hurricane contingency plans are based on three evacuation zones. These zones were designed using hurricane scenarios that posed the threat of significant coastal flooding resulting from storm surge. New York City residents should take the time to find out if their residence, office or school falls within the boundaries of a City evacuation zone. The best way to be prepared for the possibility of a hurricane evacuation is to know your evacuation zone--and plan your destination and travel routes--ahead of time.
To look up an exact New York City street address, enter the location in our Hurricane Evacuation Utility (EMOLS), or call 311. These sources can tell you whether an evacuation is in effect for your location, the best routes of travel, and the site of the nearest city-run Reception Center.
October 25, 2005
Stuy Town OKs sitdown over parking issues
At a hearing on the issue yesterday, Councilwoman Eva Moskowitz (D-Manhattan), whose district includes the complex, especially complained that the changes reduced the number of parking spots for the disabled.
Local Human Rights Bill Held Up In City Council
Gurian explained, "segregation [in the city] began with a combination of private acts of discrimination and public policies that fostered and condoned such behavior. Today, the segregated patterns that were created continue, in part, because the city does not engage in the kind of auditing and analysis that Intro 512A would require. That is, a look at whether planning, zoning, development, and tenant preference decisions work to perpetuate or reduce segregation."
He also pointed to the plight of the city's disabled. With so many new high rise apartments being built, very few contain a significant amount of handicapped accessible units. He argues that this is impractical on the part of the builders, who could avoid the costs of later retrofitting, by building with the disabled in mind in the first place.
And then there are taxis. According to Gurian, "The city has 100 percent control of the yellow taxi industry--yet more than 99 percent of those cabs remain inaccessible to people with disabilities."
October 26, 2005
Satellite Locators on Vans for the Disabled
New York City Transit will be able to track vehicles that provide door-to-door rides for disabled people in the Access-a-Ride program under a $16.3 million contract announced yesterday. The contract, with INIT, a German firm with an office in Chesapeake, Va., received preliminary approval yesterday and will go before the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board tomorrow. The system will rely on global-positioning satellites to track 1,329 vehicles to improve coordination of trips and the response to breakdowns and delays. The work is for two and a half years and allows for an expansion to another 428 vehicles starting in 2008.
October 27, 2005
Harley-Davidson Hosts Drag Race for MDA in NYC
Bringing the Harley-Davidson racing heritage to the streets of the Big Apple, members of the company's Screamin' Eagle NHRA Race Team went head-to-head in a series of simulated drag races to benefit charity on Wednesday, October 12 in the heart of the city. At a special event in Pershing Square, the NHRA's two top ranked drag racers, Andrew Hines and GT Tonglet, squared off in more than 20 simulated races in all while not moving an inch. The simulated races took place on a dyno-drag machine, which measures elapsed time, speed and horsepower to determine a winner. Overall, the Screamin' Eagle NHRA Race Team helped to raise $1,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
October 28, 2005
City Council Stated Meeting - October 27, 2005
The City Council passed two measures to expand the number of more low-income senior citizens and the disabled who can take advantage of rent increase exemptions and tax breaks.
Intro 722 applies to homeowners and Intro 726 applies to renters.
"These particular programs help people who are disabled and senior citizens to stay in their homes," said Speaker Miller.
The bills passed unanimously.
October 29, 2005
New Elevators in Subways Are Delayed
...Right across the street, less than 30 feet away, was a new elevator shed, coated in fresh green paint, part of a three-year, $14.3 million project to make the Euclid Avenue station, on the A and C lines, easily accessible to disabled riders.
But the elevator, though complete, is not yet open. The project is $200,000 over budget and more than six months behind schedule, according to a new report from engineering consultants hired by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, who found similar delays, cost overruns and management problems in other elevator and escalator projects throughout the subway system.
The authority has promised to make 67 "key stations," as determined by ridership, accessible by 2010, and 100 by 2020. Currently, of the 468 subway stations, only 60 are accessible, including 45 key stations.
October 30, 2005
Amputee helps wounded Marines run marathons
In 1976, Richard Traum became the first amputee to run a marathon. Now he is helping wounded Marines cross the finish line.
Traum, who lost his leg in 1965 when he was struck by a car, is president of Achilles Track Club Inc., a New York City-based nonprofit that helps disabled people run with the general public.
October 31, 2005
Upcoming Career Fairs in NYC
From Wall Street to the Beltway, job recruiters are fishing for talented people with disabilities.
November 3, New York
The Veterans Job Fair & Career Expo will be held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. Hosted by the New York Times Job Market, Hire Vets First and Hire Disability Solutions, the program will offer career seminars and job opportunities to former servicemen and women as well as their spouses. Pre-registration is required. Visit www.nytimes.com/saluteourheroes.
November 18, New York
The Wall Street Business & Disability Group and National Business & Disability Council are looking for college students and professionals interested in the financial services sector. This morning event is by invitation only, but there is no fee to apply. Submit your résumé to lipton@business-disability.com.
Family Sues After Son Is Allegedly Assaulted In School Bathroom
A Bronx mother is suing the Department of Education after she says her learning disabled son was sexually assaulted in a school bathroom.
Marathoner wants to highlight plight of Pakistan's disabled
On Nov. 6, Tariq hopes to bring the world's attention to the plight of his country's disabled by participating in the ING New York City Marathon. The 29-year-old, a quadriplegic with limited movement in his arms, already planned to race for the same reason before the quake, but now the endeavor means much more.
"I'm here primarily to make a statement," said Tariq, who was left paralyzed in a diving accident at age 15. "Our developed cities are not wheelchair friendly. Now, after all this, the disability rate is going to increase so much."